2011 Reader Restaurant Awards: European Epicure

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.

This time were breaking down the best that European cuisine has to offer, whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge. There’s Spanish with its olive oil inspired seafood and paellas, Italian with meat and pastas all rounded out with a bottle of vino, and French, considered the antithesis of culinary tradition, from bistro fare to haute cuisine.

Spanish

Best: Agua. "so glad to have real spanish food back in town"
Outstanding: Carmen. "hands down the closest thing I've had to Tapas in Spain. Unbelievably delicious food and selection."
Outstanding: Migas. "And complimentary to the truly lovely meal was the unconditionally friendly service - A for effort from the sunshine waitress and highly efficient Maitre-D"

Italian (Affordable)

Best: Annie's. "It is true that it is not the best Italian food in Beijing, but its pretty darn tasty, well run, has great service, delivers all across the city, has great free accompaniments (bread sticks, pesto, etc), and all this is at a very decent price."
Outstanding: La Pizza. "No imitation or frozen pizza. It's authentic and fresh."
Outstanding: Metro. "still good after all these years with consistently great pasta, a faantastic choice of sauce and service that exceeds expectations"

Italian (High-End)

Best: Sureño, The Opposite House. "This is a place I go all the time. I always order something new and love everything that I have had."
Outstanding: Assaggi. "The Italian Pasta and breads rich n tasty and great location to have good breakfast and dinner"
Outstanding: Tavola. "Their margherita pizza is the best in Beijing and blows the competition out of the water"

French (Affordable)

Best: Brasserie Flo. "Best place for affordable and great tasting French food without the Parisian air of snootiness that can be apparent at older and other French establishments"
Outstanding: Le Petit Gourmand. "Warm feeling, nice atmosphere, good French food like at home with big portions for a small price!"
Outstanding: Morel’s. "For sure not haute cuisine (and no haute uisine prices), but reliable."
Outstanding: Café de la Poste. "You can't beat the price, either. A nice simple menu with lovely setting that makes you feel like you're in a real cafe in Paris.?

French (High-End)

Best: Maison Boulud. "Everything from decor to food to service was simply the best of the best. We particularly liked how they dished out free desserts after your main course. Free madeleines......nice!"
Outstanding: Capital M. "For sure one of the best choices for European food in beijing. Service also very good as is the decor."
Outstanding: Le Pre Lenotre, Sofitel Wanda. "For me the most exciting thing about this restaurant is the sheer number of Michelin starred guest chefs they seem to have year on year from France."