Rock-Hard Buns: A Dose of Meaty Magic at Sanlitun Soho's Four Ace

In the wake of our 2018 Beijing Burger Festival and the ongoing Burger Cup, our Rock-Hard Buns series will whet your appetite by taking a look at those vendors who slung their wares at the veritable meat fest that just past. Remember to vote for your favorite here!

Magic has the ability to lift our spirits when we're feeling a little blue. Sanlitun Soho's Four Ace Magic Bar uses eye-popping tricks and Western staples for a combination that should help brighten your toughest of days. Don't expect any fire-breathing or decapitation, however, as the magic here definitely takes on a more old-fashioned tact with the in-house magician using coins, cards, straws, and rubber bands to dazzle diners tableside pre- or post-meal.

As for the decor, Four Ace’s first floor is softly lit to the point of being mysterious and has a bar outfitted with a sizable range of whiskeys from around the world. Upstairs offers more light, with huge windows overlooking the Sanlitun Soho square, and a spacious dining area perfect for a large group. The ambiance alone is worth a trip for the curious and light-hearted. 

At last weekend's Burger Fest, Four Ace brought their "All-Knowing Beef and Bacon Burger," featuring a homemade butter-brushed bun, a beef patty made from three cuts of beef encased in bacon, fresh baby greens, lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, honey, and mustard. Their beef wrap also made an appearance, which we preferred for its lighter approach; a flour wrap stuffed with steak meat, peppers, and a piquant sauce.

Four Ace also has a range of refreshing and summery non-alcoholic drinks that don't fall into the usual trap of being too sweet. Two of our favorite concoctions were the seasonal lychees and jasmine juice and the kiwifruit and jasmine.

Following their showing at the Burger Fest, we spoke to Four Ace chef Shi Lei about the inspiration behind his burger creations.

In your opinion, what are the most important elements in making a great burger?
There isn’t just one element that makes a great burger. When creating a burger you should pay attention to every step, including what type of flour you use, the desired cooking method, the freshness of the vegetables, and the balance of sweet and savory flavors. The patties need to be handmade to ensure the texture of the meat is on point. 

Tell us about your signature burger. 
Our signature burger is the "All-Knowing Beef and Bacon Burger". Firstly, we use the best imported flour to make our buns. Secondly, we choose the freshest vegetables to complement our burger. And for the patties, we blend three cuts of beef and hand process our patties to ensure the right texture and keep all the juices locked in. We have confidence our all-knowing beef and bacon burger can take home the best burger award.

Have you tried Four Ace's burgers or do you have another Beijing favorite you'd like to vote for? Read up on who is in the running to be crowned Beijing's Best Burger and then place your vote by scanning the QR code above!

Photos: Laura Zheng