Repping Beijing: Vote Beijing in The Miele Guide 2012/2013

More than 30 Beijing eateries have been shortlisted for a shot at being named one of Asia's top 20 restaurants by The Miele Guide. Public voting closes late on Friday, so you've got a few hours left to show some love for Beijing.

The guide started up in 2008 to fill a gap in critical rankings of Asian restaurants. Restaurants are put through four rounds of judging before earning a coveted spot on the "Asia's Top 20" list. First, food critics nominate a shortlist of restaurants. Then, two rounds of voting take place, one for the public and another for a special jury. Finally, the guide's "in-house team and contributing editors" anonymously dine at each of the finalist restaurants before the final rankings are published.

Da Dong Roast Duck managed to grab the 20th spot in the 2010/2011 edition, but last year's list was woefully devoid of any Beijing restaurants. Beijing did, however, make its way onto the guide's list of the top five restaurants in China. Da Dong came in third behind Shanghai's Mr & Mrs Bund and Jean Georges Shanghai, while Maison Boulud took fifth.

According to my count, this year's shortlist for China has 32 restaurants from Beijing, 38 from Shanghai and one from Hangzhou (the Renhe branch of Zhi Wei Guan, in case you were wondering). I've taken the liberty of compiling the nominations for Beijing below. Most of the usual suspects are there, although you'll find a few surprises as well.

Beijing's definitely an underdog going up against the likes of perennial gourmet heavyweights Singapore and Hong Kong, but, hey, if Jeremy Lin can get his 15 minutes, Beijing's restaurants should be able to get theirs too.

I'm sure you've done your fair share of voting this award season, but Beijing needs just one more ballot out of you. Head on over here to vote, or check out The Miele Guide's website for more info.

• Agua
• Aria
• Bei
• Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant (Dongsishitiao)
• Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant (Jinbao Place)
• Black Sesame Kitchen
• Cafe Sambal
• Capital M
• Cepe
• Cuisine Cuisine
• Dali Courtyard Restaurant
• Din Tai Fung
• Duck de Chine
• Iki Barbeque
• In & Out
• Indian Kitchen
• Jaan
• Le Quai
• Made in China
• Maison Boulud
• Modo
• Mosto
• My Humble House
• Nishimura
• Qi
• S.T.A.Y.
• SALT
• Summer Palace
• Temple Restaurant
• Terra
• The Courtyard Restaurant
• Tiandi Yijia

Photo: Accidental Epicurean