Last Orders: Abi Howell, Penguin China

"Last Orders" is a regular feature in the Beijinger magazine in which each month we ask noteworthy Beijingers – leaving or not – to imagine their final meal before departing from the city for good.

Abi Howell (former Publicity Manager, Penguin China) brings down the curtain on five years in Beijing this month and plans to bow out with an epic night showcasing the best of Beijing. With a mix of favorite local delicacies, followed by fun with close friends, her last night in Beijing sounds like it would be one she wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

The venue
I love the décor and the old black and white movies they play on a small screen behind the bar at Revolution. I’ll start with a whiskey sour (hold the egg white).

The starters
A medley of sushi from Hatsune: tekkamaki, and an off-menu oshinkomaki, inari sushi, little red roll, butterfly roll, caterpillar roll, and Princess Li roll. I moved to Beijing as a penniless student; meals alternated between cheap chuanr and jianbing. When a friend’s family invited a bunch of us to dinner at Hatsune, it was such a luxury that it became my go-to restaurant for special occasions after that.

Main course
Beijing kaoya from Duck de Chine. I love the ceremony there as well – I hope they’ll bring the gong. Shuizhuyu, ganbiandoujiao and disanxian from Yulao Kaoyu on Guijie, which, until now, I had only ever known as “the restaurant with all the lanterns outside.” Also, a selection of dumplings from Din Tai Fung. To complete the meal, I’d have rice from Hatsune – I love the sesame seeds they sprinkle on top of their steamed rice.

Dessert
The granny apple cake from Café Konstanz because even though the apples are cooked they are still firm, crunchy and delicious. The Village Café at The Opposite House has the most fantastic lemon tart. I would also require tanghulu from any street vendor and definitely cupcakes from Lollipop Bakery. My favorite is the Earl Grey which comes with a lemon frosting, but vanilla, red velvet and spiced carrot are mouthwateringly good as well.

The music and entertainment
A good friend DJ of mine would play a set after dinner. He incorporates Chinese opera into his sound, which is amazing. Also, my boyfriend could do a stand-up comedy set in front of our friends. My friends could put together a variety show.

Pick up a copy of Li Na’s memoir My Life, published by Penguin China, at The Bookworm or Page One.

A version of this article appears in the February 2014 issue of the Beijinger

Photo: courtesy of Abi Howell