Last Orders: Andy Bright, Union Bar & Grille
After five years at the helm of Union Bar & Grille as Regional Manager in China for Windy City International, Andy Bright is returning to his adopted home of Hong Kong. During his time, he turned Union into a perennial the Beijinger Burger Cup contender, a destination for a reliable happy hour, and the venue for one of the year’s best NFL Super Bowl parties. Andy looks back on his favorite dishes and spots for food and booze around Beijing.
The venue
After five years in Beijing and my foodie mindset as a whole, I’d choose Dali Courtyard. This place has both the classic hutong feel and fabulous authentic surroundings, which I have never experienced outside of China. I love the fact there is no menu and their dishes cater for all like-minded people.
The starters
Pumpkin dumplings at Black Sesame Kitchen. Finding this place on Baochao Hutong is an adventure and you feel like a local before you get to it. After you arrive at this little treasure, the hospitality is so welcoming. All meals are prepared fresh daily by a real local chef who has been cooking in Beijing for years. Pumpkin dumplings are something I will miss because of their freshness, simplicity, and texture.
Main course
Peking duck from Li Qun. The arrival experience involves following a badly painted duck on the wall of the hutong with an arrow next to it, and then the owner, who has been there for years, greets you outside! Then you see the fantastic wood-fired duck oven as you enter, sitting down before the racks of roasted ducks hanging near your table. This is a far cry from the fork-shredded frozen duck back home. A real taste of the capital.
Dessert
Red and green bean desserts, both hot and cold, have never quite floated my boat. The best sweet I had was in Hebei province, Chinese nougat. Two guys bashing the crap out of caramelized sugar on a wooden block with hammers Westerners only usually find at an amusement park, whilst folding in nuts. A hat tip to those guys for sure.
Dishes from his own venue
Well, I think I’d bring over some Signature Chicken Wings, which are called signature for a reason. Our baked onion soup’s recipe hasn`t changed in 25 years, I’d bring along some of that. Maybe some bacon-wrapped filet mignon. And of course, the molten chocolate cake. You know, just to taste.
Music
As someone who has chosen to invest so much of my time into the restaurants that I have been fortunate enough to work at, all over Asia, I hope I could convince people to enjoy my tunes, if they haven’t found their own yet. But in brief: AC/DC.
Other entertainment
I don’t know how we could work it into dinner, but I know a guy here in town who arranges scuba diving with sharks. Somehow I’d like everyone to have a chance to do that. After dessert, of course.
Visit the newly-renovated Union Bar & Grille at Unit S6-31, 3/F, Bldg 6, Taikoo Li South.
More stories by this author here.
Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @greatwriteshark
Photo: Judy Zhou
