Golden Fork Restaurant Award Winners - Part 1

By That's Beijing, January 7, 2015

Very recently, in a nightclub not too far away…It is a period of intense culinary innovation and competition. Standards are rising as new restaurants continue to open across the city, forcing others to adapt or close. The expectations of the city’s patrons has reached an all-time high. Beijing is fast becoming an international food city, a melting pot of flavors and traditions, old and new. But still, questions persist as to which restaurants are the best. In a bid to settle this debate once and for all, we gathered together over 400 of the city’s leading restaurateurs and chefs under one roof, to pay tribute to their efforts and present them with awards in 37 different categories ranging from Best Sichuan to Best Sushi. In order to help us in this decision-making process, we invited readers to cast their vote in an online poll for our Readers’ Choice (R) Awards. Over 13,000 of you voted, and the results – along with the winners of our Editors‘ Choice (E) and Outstanding Pick (O) Awards – are presented across the next 4 blog posts. So congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted…

For the photos from the awards party at SPARK, check out albums part 1 and part 2 our Facebook page, or our blog post (for those without VPN).

For the continued lists of winners see part 2 and part 3 (part 4 coming soon).

Readers' Choice=(R) / Editors' Choice=(E) / Outstanding Pick=(O) / Stella Artois Recommends=(S)

Café Zarah – Best Café/Deli (R)

The popular Gulou Dong cafe on why they won: “It depends: some like our perfect coffee, some the design, some the free Internet. Personally, I think it’s due to our people.”

29 Grill, Conrad Beijing - Best Steakhouse (O) & Best Hotel Wine List (E)

“We want to raise the bar.” And raise it they have. Only open for a year-and-a-half, the Conrad Beijing’s delectable steaks have already cemented their place as a city favorite.

4corners - Best Southeast Asian (E)

“We are going to keep doing what we have been doing, plus a little bit of subterfuge, sabotage and intimidation.” The 4corners 2015 business plan revealed.

Allday's - Best Café/Deli (O)

“We’re so happy to win this award!” say Allday’s, and having gorged on their chocolate waffles with the kind of reckless abandon that would put Jabba the Hutt to shame, we’re happy to bestow it.

Aria, China World Hotel, Beijing - Best Hotel Dining (E)

What dish would contemporary European restaurant Aria serve Darth Vader? “We would serve him our frog salad because it’s a very eccentric dish and we just want him to lighten up a bit.” Agreed.

360º, Hilton Beijing Capital Airport - Best Hotel Brunch (O)

“We change the Sunday brunch depending on the season: Christmas, Easter, Halloween.. Star Wars... all have special brunches. We provide a great kids’ room too.”

Brasserie Flo - Best French (E)

Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, few restaurants can claim to be more of an institution in Beijing. Elegant grounds, impeccable service and consistently excellent French cuisine.

Drei Kronen 1308 - Best Casual Dining (O)

“To be honest, I have no idea why we won,” says, DK’s resident brewmaster, Andreas Roehrl. “You know, I work there, so I have the food every day. It’s very basic.” And that, we suspect, is the secret of their success.

Asia Bistro, JW Marriott Hotel Beijing - Best Hote Dining (O)

In keeping with the Star Wars theme, we asked the pan-Asian restaurant which one dish they would send into space: “Definitely our garlic chicken curry. I think the astronauts would like it.” (Is curry really ideal for zero gravity?)

Burger Bar - Best Burger (O)

Such a subjective category this one, but winner Burger Bar argues a strong case: “We have the best burger: The Rossini Burger.” Made with foie gras, who are we to disagree?

Capital M - Best Western Fine Dining (E)

Sure, it has interesting events and unbeatable views but it’s Capital M’s exceptional Western fare (and celebrated pavlova) that keeps it among the very best in Beijing.

Transit - Best Sichuan (E) (R), Best Asian Fine Dining (E), & Best Non-Hotel Wine List (E)

A clean sweep for Transit. Could they eventually become the city’s first restaurant to gain a Michelin Star? “Fine dining is a combination of factors, but of course it’s the food that really counts,” says manager Catalin Ichim. “We are continuing to look for the best ingredients. We currently source from Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou.”

Din Tai Fung - Best Shanghainese (R) & Best Restaurant Chain (R)

“Our dishes are all made-to-order. Every baozi is exactly 21 grams, each one has 18 crimps, and all are hand made,” says the ever-dependable (and precise) chain.

Dining Room - Best Casual Dining (E)

“A lot of people comment on our xiaolongbao. We think they’re the best in Beijing,” and so do we, Dining Room.

El Gran Bocado - Best Mexican (E)

“I don’t know why we won.” (Er... because we think you’re the best Mexican in town). “But we’re gonna keep working on making great food,” says owner Ray Yue.

Food Studio, Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel - Best Buffet (E)

“If Darth Vader came to our buffet he would love the suckling pig,” says chef Jordi Villegas. “It’s my mother’s recipe and it would calm him down a bit.”

Fratelli Fresh, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel - Best Hotel Dining (R)

The chefs at Fratelli Fresh possess Jedi Knight-like skills when it comes to creating memorable Italian food. These are indeed the simple mozzarella salads to white truffle risottos you are looking for...

Grill 79, China World Summit Wing, Beijing - Best Western Fine Dining (O)

“If I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be our tenderloin.” Grill 79 opt for the paleo diet.

Gung Ho! - Best Pizza (R)

“I just think we’re very customer-focused,” explains Rich Akers of Gung Ho! “We pride ourselves on our service. We honestly try really hard on that front and we think that this award justifies all that.”