Bella Italia: Barolo's Semi-Buffet Business Lunch

Set lunch menus are big business in Beijing and the latest offering from Barolo in the Ritz-Carlton is sure to please the CBD and Dawang Lu crowd. 

A not unreasonable RMB 198 (plus 15 percent surcharge) grants you access to the antipasti buffet to start, a choice of main course, and a selection from the dessert trolley. Of the antipasti, the stand out was a tender vitello tonnato (cold sliced veal in tuna sauce), a true Italian classic.

These authentic touches continue in the main courses. Barolo's take on the classic carbonara includes traditional guanciale (cured pork cheek), while the roasted snapper dish I chose was served with fregula (a small, round pasta from Sardinia). Make sure to save room for dessert - you won't want to miss the homemade cannoli. 

On a side note, I personally enjoy this move towards "semi-buffet" lunches and dinners, since it allows you to get as much or as little as you want out of the meal. Expect to see this more and more at restaurants around Beijing. 

More stories by this author here.

Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Robynne Tindall