Food Coma Inducing Delicacies and Instagram Ready Desserts at Revamped Tiago
After a very rough 2016, we can only hope 2017 will show us some kindness. Here's one promising indication: after sampling some of the 48 new dishes at Casa Talia By Tiago's revamped Dongzhimen location a week ago, we were invited to the flagship Tiago brach to try its new menu. But we should warn you that this is a long and tempting blog, so stop reading now if you’re starving.
With so many choices, it’s hard to choose where to start. We sampled enough dishes to leave us in a food coma, beginning with the Burrata cheese & grilled vegetable salad (RMB 78). Its grilled eggplant and pumpkin were flavored well, and benefitted from a generous chunk of burrata cheese. The quinoa & seasonal vegetable salad (RMB 78) is more on healthy side, and they also have our favorite new dish from Casa Talia; fresh octopus and potato salad (RMB 98), with boiled octopus, egg, avocado, some chunks of juicy grapefruit, olives, boiled cubed potato, and green bell pepper. For tapas fans, Tiago brings the classy pan-seared foie gras with homemade jam (RMB 78) from Casa Talia, which is also one of our favorites. The foie gras was juicy and hot on the homemade bread, and was balanced well with sweet jam.
Another new highlight is the Boston lobster with seafood paella to share. The portion of huge paella with two massive imported Boston lobsters was stunning, and flavored well. We could taste some seafood in every bite, and the paella was cooked in an authentic way. If you have yet to get pâté fatigue, then try the delicious pan-seared foie gras with truffle risotto (RMB 98).
We also enjoyed the Angus tomahawk steak (which features 150-day grain-fed Australian beef, RMB 588 for 1kg) and the crispy suckling pig (RMB 178). The suckling pig's black pepper, mango and apricot sauces were amazingly appetizing. Roasted chicken (RMB 178/whole, RMB 98/half) is a nice alternative too, thanks to its savory and moist chicken, seasoned with rosemary, and served with grapes, roasted apple and baby tomatoes. If you're vegetarian and starting to worry, there are nine kinds of pizza for vegetarians too.
If you are in the mood to go fancy (or you're looking for something picturesque for your instagram feed), try the Galaxy Dessert Platter (RMB 198 for two, RMB 348 for four), for which the staff makes a sugary “galaxy” right in front of you. The chocolatey “planets” on it couldn’t be more camera-ready.
Aside from the popular classic cocktails, they also have three hot cocktails and gluwein (all at RMB 48) for winter. And cocktail connoisseurs listen to me, the Hot Italian is a must try – its Amaretto was balanced with Jim Beam and orange juice, and its added cinnamon and orange peels give it a fruity kick. Meanwhile, the warming and hearty gluwein is everything you want in the winter time.
Tiago has two locations so far (Indigo and Chaoyang Joy City), but owner Katie Li happily shared with us that they are planning to open a third branch at Xidan Joy City. All in all, we enjoyed the hearty dishes and atmosphere here, and appreciated that Tiago values how people love to have time with family and friends. With the best wishes, we can’t wait for this family-friendly home kitchen to continue its promising growth.
More stories by this author here.
Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure
Photos: Tiago, Tracy Wang
