Beijing D2 - Hua's Restaurant, 花家怡园四合院店

I had promised Ric, "带你吃些好的。"

Meaning to bring him for some "good food". We exchanged glances as he gave me a puzzled look and we both busted out into laughter... like-minded, we hasn't enjoyed what the guide book had recommended of authentic Beijing's fare so far, haha...

But tonight's quite different, and i'm quietly confident. It is fine dining in Beijing's house style of courtyard at the Hua's Restaurant, their 簋街 GuiJie outlet.

燕京冰啤纯生, 518ml (¥22, S$4.40)

A chilled bottle of smooth Beijing's manufactured Yanjing Beer was ordered to quench our thirst while Ric laboured over Hua's extensive menu... and these were what we shared between us.

话梅小排, Preserved Plum Pork Ribs (¥38, S$7.60)

*** 秘制酱鸭, Special Sauced Duck (¥42, S$8.40)

*** 酸辣海参花, Hot & Sour Soup of Sea Cucumber (¥28, S$5.60)

鲍汁烧南茄, Sauteed Eggplant in Abalone sauce (¥36, S$7.20)

八爷香辣烤小羊腿, Piquant Roast Lamb Leg (¥32, S$6.40)

鱼腐扒时蔬, Ball of Fish Bean Curb (¥48, S$9.60)

We loved every of their exquisite recipe but just had to pick out the truly outstanding ones marked with ***.

As a fine dining restaurant, service was implicit and polite with many foreign guests among the local Chinese; it was full house tonight. Even the smallest details of hand towels, soaps and moisturisers in their washroom carries the fragrance of flowers, as in Hua, 花 in the Chinese language - thoroughly refined.

Trio of Erhu, Guzheng and Pipa

Hua's new style of Beijing cuisine sits well with our palate while we enjoy the distinct courtyard dwelling with its profound culture tradition, plus many performances of Chinese elements! - addressing the evening was a live playing of Chinese Pipa, Guzheng and Erhu, i like!

Lively hosting continues throughout our dinner with Knife-peeled Noodles on Bike, Mask Changing Arts 变脸, Chinese Acrobats and even Magic show performances. We had fun ;)

It was a memorable and entertaining night.

Chinese Acrobats - Plate Spinning & Balance