Bartisans: Stephane Laurens and Nina He from CRAFT

By That's Beijing, June 21, 2016

For this month's Bartisans, we head to CRAFT at Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido to chat with Executive Chef Stephane Laurens and Restaurant Manager Nina He about everybody’s favorite things in the summer: burgers and beer.

So, what’s the deal with the new burgers?

Stephane: We have five new burgers, all with different elements and sauces. One is a veggie burger for our vegetarian friends. We’re working on making the buns extra exciting – different flavors, different colors. Then we’ll pair the burgers with our beer. And don’t forget the traditional French fries!

Can you tell us about the beers?

Nina: The beer we have to go with the burgers is Kentucky brand, from the US. We have three kinds: the Kentucky Kolsch, the Kentucky Ale and the Kentucky IPA.

S: For the time being, we’ll serve our burgers with the large selection of beer that we have here. And we are going to have new beers, coming soon.

N: We’re going to have draft beer, maybe next month!

Can you tell us which new beers?

S: No! [Laughs].

Which is your favorite burger?

S: The salmon burger – that will be pretty good. It won’t be very heavy, but it will be rich in flavor.

Which is your favorite beer?

N: I recommend the Kentucky Ale.

Anything else you recommend for the summer?

N: We’ll also have iced tea, starting in June – fruit-flavored iced tea. We have peach, strawberry, blueberry and mango, all sweet.

Last question: Why do people eat burgers in the summertime?

S: You come with your family or with your friends, and it’s fun. It’s social. It’s simple, but at the same time it can be very modern, very creative.