Here are all the new restaurant openings we featured in our May 2018 issue:
1. Hemei Japanese Cuisine
Tiyu Dong Lu has no dearth of Japanese restaurants and sake spots, which is why the addition of another similar establishment is tempting to overlook. But spend a night of wining and dining at Hemei Japanese Cuisine and it’s clear that the place gallops ahead of the greasy-spoon herd.
When patrons are seated, Hemei makes a gesture of its hospitality by offering a large complimentary mushroom, deep-fried and stuffed with pork. Don’t balk at their sprawling bilingual menu (Chinese and Japanese only). Instead, ask the waitress for the day’s list of rotating specials and, if you’re lucky, put your name in for a portion of their precious little supply of basashi.
This pink horsemeat sashimi (RMB78) is one of their imports from Japan – obtained, according to the manager, through ‘secret channels,’ at a volume of three plates per day. Sliced radish, ground ginger and soy sauce are served alongside, to spice up the surprisingly mellow equine cuts.
Price: RMB200
Who’s going: the after-work Japanese crowd, worldly female diners
Good for: impressing a date, warm sake, unparalleled service
Nearest metro: Tiyu Xilu (Exit B), 8 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Hemei.
2. Mercato
Award-winning Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, owner of a slew of Michelin-starred restaurants, had only one thing in mind when he opened Mercato at K11 Mall: to offer us ravenous Southerners simple yet sophisticated plates featuring high quality ingredients that shine.
At Mercato, a selection of crudo and appetizers make for perfect tapas-style shareables. Try the sliced kingfish with crushed olives and dill (RMB98); house-made ricotta swirled with strawberry and olive oil on bread (RMB98); and the wood-oven-roasted asparagus with prosciutto and fontina cheese (RMB98). Homemade pastas and risotto also feature; try the lobster and shrimp ravioli, doused in olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs (RMB138/198). Light and clean, it speaks volumes to those who understand what real pasta should taste like.
If you crave a meatier main, order the crispy beef short rib (RMB368), served with a glazed, sticky topping of smoked chili, cranberry and chianti, with a side of polenta fries covered with shaved parmesan. The rib is expertly braised for 12 hours, after which all excess fat is trimmed off. It’s then fried for a mere three seconds, resulting in a delicate yet crispy exterior and tender, juicy, pull-apart perfection within.
Price: RMB400
Who’s going: well-suited high rollers, devout fans of modern Italian fare
Good for: crispy beef short ribs, tapas, artisanal pours
Nearest metro: Huangcheng Dadao (APM line), 5 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Mercato.
3. Poke Remix
Inconspicuously located on the second floor of Fuli Dongshan New World, the small and casual interior of Poke Remix is dishing out delicious Hawaiian-inspired eats that will satisfy lovers of seafood, salad and rice bowls all at once.
Before we dive into Poke Remix’s choice dishes, some background: poke (pronounced 'poh-kay') is a salad composed of raw fish that hails from the beautiful American state of Hawaii. In many regards, the dish is comparable to fish Carpaccio or Japanese sashimi and it can be served as plain 'n' simple raw fish in sauce (such as soy sauce and sesame oil) or with additional ingredients, like rice, nuts and fruit.
On our recent visit, we sampled the ‘Traditional Remix’ bowl (RMB79), which comes with 100 grams of diced ahi tuna, house sambal and ponzu sauces, avocado, gomasio, edamame, dried bonito and seaweed all set on a dark, blackish-brown bed of five-grain rice. It's a refreshing blend of edible components that offers a range of textures and tastes. We’re told that the prawn and shrimp poke bowl (RMB69), which spices things up a notch with chipotle mayo dressing, is also worth a dabble.
Price: RMB50-80
Who’s going: homesick Hawaiians, surfer bros, pescetarians
Good for: healthy edibles, building your own meal
Nearest metro: Yangji (Exit B), 15 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Poke Remix.
4. Sindo
Portions at Sindo are generous, the conveniently illustrated menu is varied and, since the price points are approachable, we recommend ordering a broad spread. Start with gado gado (RMB25), a rich medley of cold boiled veg, or the peanuty chicken satay (RMB26).
For a more filling, all-in-one treat, try the turmeric rice (RMB38) which combines the fragrant yellow grains with fried chicken, sambal egg, a potato patty, shrimp crackers and a fresh side salad. Soto soup and the coconut-rich chicken curry (RMB 28 each) both get honorable mentions, but avoid the balado beef (RMB30); the admittedly delicious sauce does not make up for the meat’s disappointing toughness.
Wash the meal down with some authentic Indonesian drinks, like the traditional cendol (RMB20) – a liquid carnival of coconut milk, sugar palm, shaved ice and green rice flour jelly.
Price: RMB50
Who’s going: curry lovers, hungry students
Good for: eating with your hands, home-style Sumatran cooking
Nearest Metro: Guangzhou East Station (Exit J), 20 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Sindo.
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