Mifan or Mafan: Awaguli Bar & Grill

Awaguli opens to a bright soaring foyer housing a larger-than-life gilded Romanesque statue and even larger gilded paintings. Inside is a dramatic hodgepodge of styles. There are Middle Eastern tiles and drawings of animated characters in traditional garbs and high-backed bird-cage chairs adorned with Union Jack cushions. And who can ignore the massive beer-pouring levitating-barrel fountain in the middle? Yeah, pretty intense. 

While it isn't a halal restaurant – they serve beers and booze – there is no pork anywhere on the premises, but the menu provides just about everything else: chuanr, pizza, steak, curry, sashimi, lobster, you name it. Do ignore some of the English translation on the menu – we’re pretty sure the chicken isn't “impregnated with bacteria.” We opt for the beef tacos (RMB68); two layers of tortillas, soft and crispy, envelop a generous filling of saucy beef (though the seasoning is more Xinjiang-style than Mexican), while the hot sauce lathered lightly between tortillas gives a nice kick.

[Image via Herlina Liu/That’s]

See a listing for Awaguli Bar & Grill and read more Mifan/Mafan restaurant reviews