2011 Reader Restaurant Awards: Romance, Impression, and Style

You’ve seen the results of our 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards – now let’s take a closer look at the winners. In each of this series of posts, we’ll cover the winners in a group of categories, with comments from theBeijinger.com’s User Reviews flagged up to indicate just why readers like them, and links to each venue’s Directory listing on our website.

To get us started, here are the winners in the “For a Romantic Meal,” “Impressing Visitors,” and “Décor” categories. This round is all about impressing and impressions, whether it’s a restaurant for taking a girl, out-of-town guests, or people that are awed by design – from modern opulence to classical French.

For a Romantic Meal

Best: Maison Boulud
What does it take to make a romantic meal (or impress or win for decor)? According to our readers it’s a place where “First class service has finally arrived,” is “simply fantastic. I was stunned by the decor, beautiful,” and of course the food must be “divine,” “gorgeous,” “fantastic” or just “wow!”

Outstanding: Capital M
Making appearances in all three categories, Capital M’s “delicious food and a great terrace” cover the bases, but often its pavlova garners the greatest praise: “If I could break all the rules about fine dining, I'd most certainly ask for my dessert to be served ahead of all the other courses. Or I'd order desserts only for the whole evening.”

Outstanding: Mosto
This cozy, candle-lit nook in Sanlitun “is all about romance when it comes to dining with your loved one. Dimly lit ambiance and soothing music.”

For Impressing Visitors

Best: Da Dong Roast Duck
This restaurant has become synonymous with impressing guests with its Beijing duck. The reason: “It's really a treat to take visitors to Beijing here and watch them be astonished by the massive menu”

Outstanding: Capital M

Outstanding: Maison Boulud

Décor
Best: LAN
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Outstanding: Maison Boulud

Outstanding: Capital M

Agree? Disagree? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so if your reviews weren’t featured above, share them below.