24 for 24: #6 Danieli's With Traditional Yet Modern Italian Delights

24 for ‘24 is a series showcasing 24 of Beijing’s best places to drink, eat, and relax in 2024, to help folks get out of the house and into all these great F&B spots around the city.

Whether you’re gathering with friends or family, conducting a business meeting or looking for a romantic date night spot, Italian restaurant Danieli’s is an ideal dining choice.

Situated on the second floor of the St Regis Beijing, Danieli’s has been bringing its traditional yet modern Italian dishes to the capital since 1997. Over the years, they’ve curated a strong foundation of excellent quality service with an eye for attention to detail.  

This is showcased by its decor, with entering the restaurant feeling like you’ve stepped into an Italian villa with its arched ceilings, terracotta tiled floors and sandy colored stone walls. The brown and orange hues create a warm atmosphere while the white tablecloths with carefully arranged table settings complete with beautifully painted decorative plates add a touch of elegance. 

However, the real star of the show here has to be the food! Earlier this year Danieli’s gave its food menu an upgrade. Curated by Executive Chef Dallas Cuddy, it offers a range of carefully crafted classic Italian dishes with innovative twists. The menu celebrates the simplicity and quality of locally and globally sourced high-quality ingredients and is also seasonal, with dishes being regularly rotated. So, what better place to start than with a look at some of their summer dishes which were introduced at the start of July... 

A new stand-out starter is the Roasted Tomato Soup with Ricotta Tortellini (RMB 118), which sees ricotta tortellini topped with white balsamic pearls then drenched in a clear tomato soup that has been enriched with chicken and simmered for 4-5 hours. With notes of lemon and white wine, each spoonful of tortellini and soup just bursts with summer freshness. 

Next up is a new pasta dish, the Baked Bone Marrow and Truffle Tagliatelle (RMB 138). The bone marrow is infused with a blend of salt, peppers and various herbs then roasted and served table side where it is then scooped onto thick ribbons of tagliatelle in a creamy, truffle sauce and then mixed in to add a silky richness to the dish.

In the desserts department, there is the Ricotta Panna Cotta (RMB 78) which they’ve adapted for summer by swapping out the traditional berry sauce for an orange and lemon fruit pulp instead, it’s paired with pieces of citrus honeycomb which gives a nice crunch to the smooth panna cotta.   

Along with the new seasonal dishes, there is a range of signature dishes that are a must try like the Burrata with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes and Basil (RMB 108). A ball of burrata, imported bi-weekly from Puglia, Italy, is nestled on red and yellow cherry tomatoes drizzled in olive oil and fresh basil and topped with Italian balsamic pearls for a touch of acidity. 

Another delectable starter is the Milk Fed Veal Loin with Tuna Sauce (RMB 108) which features selected milk-fed veal that’s slow-cooked at 65 degrees until perfectly tender then paired with dollops of tuna sauce, caperberries and edible flowers. 

For fans of seafood, you can’t go wrong with their Squid Ink Tagliolini (RMB 178) which combines squid ink-infused tagliolini with generous chunks of fresh crab meat and sea urchin all finished with a delicate seafood foam. Or there is also the Black Cod with Shellfish Broth and Saffron Potatoes (RMB 368) that sees slow-roasted cod cooked until beautifully soft and flaky then served in a pool of shellfish broth with golden saffron potatoes, green olives and capers. 

If you’re looking for more meaty offerings then there is the Herb Encrusted Lamb Chops (RMB 368) featuring lamb chops encrusted with a blend of herbs and roasted until pink and juicy layered on a bed of Italian roasted vegetables. You can also never go wrong with a steak and their Wagyu Steak (RMB 468) is exquisitely tender and comes paired with mushrooms and a creamy cauliflower puree. 

To finish, no Italian restaurant menu would be complete without the iconic dessert tiramisu, and at Danieli’s they’ve taken things to a whole new inventive level. Their Tiramisu (RMB 88) comes to the table layered inside a glass cylinder and topped with cocoa powder, the glass is then removed allowing a smooth blend of mascarpone cheese to gracefully cascade over the ladyfinger base, a true wonder to behold. To pair with your meal they also have an excellent selection of fine wines as well as specially crafted Italian cocktails, a range of coffees and soft drinks. 

A great way to sample some of these delights, while saving yourself some money at the same time, is with their business lunch menu. A weekly rotating menu, guests can enjoy three courses for RMB 288 or four courses for RMB 338. Plus, if you fancy some wine with your meal you can add one glass of wine for RMB 60, two glasses for RMB 110 or three glasses for RMB 160. 

Danieli’s丹尼艾丽意大利餐厅
2F, St Regis Beijing, 21 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街21号北京瑞吉酒店2层
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm; Sat-Sun, 6pm-10pm
Phone: 010 6460 6688 ext. 2441

READ: 24 for '24 Restaurant Series

Images: Uni You, Danieli's