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November 10, 2016

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Eateries where fresh experiences are on the menu

By Xu Wenwen | November 10, 2016, Thursday | Print Edition

WHILE touring Europe, young lawyer Alex Lang discovered that he found more joy in food and wine than from his well-paid job. Soon afterward, he quit his career in law and became a waiter in his favorite American bistro.

Step by step, he learned how to serve, cook, manage a kitchen, and run a restaurant. He recently opened his own Western restaurant in Hangzhou.

Along the way, he never forgot what motivated his dramatic choice — a desire to enjoy life. Lang wants to share his pursuit of fun at his Carbon Market Restaurant, an eatery that also serves as a venue for pop-up markets, night runs, dance parties and art classes.

“The restaurant is like a carrier, while lifestyle is the content,” he explained, adding that food and beverage sales account for only about one-fifth of Carbon Market’s income.

Lang’s new venue is one several restaurants in Hangzhou that offer more than just tasty dishes. Today, Shanghai Daily introduces three local restaurants where experience and ambience count just as much as the cuisine.

Every Saturday afternoon, Lang’s restaurant organizes a market where artists and craftspeople can sell their works. Later in the evening, it becomes a meeting point for local runners who then set out to jog around West Lake.

Other fun activities include salsa, swing and square dance parties, and live music events.

“I want to bring together things that are fun, because c’est la vie,” said Lang.

If you come early to the restaurant, order its signature Roast Suckling Pig, with an appetizing pork fragrance, golden crispy skin and succulent tender meat. The restaurant roasts one 1.5-kilogram hog each day, which can be made into four to six portions.

Other recommended dishes include the thick sirloin steak, and, a personal favorite of Lang’s, the rosemary sole fish with white wine.

 

Address: 2/F, 179 Yan’an Rd

Tel: (0571) 8789-5158

Continuing to spread the message of rock across the globe, Hard Rock International last week announced the opening of its latest outpost Hard Rock Cafe Hangzhou, located in the Kerry Center, a commercial complex in the heart of the city near the famous West Lake.

Music, of course, is the central theme.

The cafe features a stage, a Rock Shop, and decorating the house are Michael Jackson’s space-themed pajamas worn in the video of his 1989 hit “Leave Me Alone,” a traditional Chinese erhu (a two-stringed bowed instrument) once owned by renowned performer Zuoxiao Zuzhou, a Gibson Joe Perry Signature Les Paul guitar used by rock musician Zhang Chu, and a costume worn by pop superstar GEM for her performance on the popular television program “I am a Singer.”

“We recognize a tremendous growth opportunity for our internationally celebrated brand in China, and we’re excited to bring Hard Rock to the dynamic city of Hangzhou,” said Antonio Bautista, SVP Franchise Cafe Dev & Operations at Hard Rock International.

Popular dishes include Legendary Burgers, Hot Fudge Brownie and Fresh Apple Cobbler.

 

Address: L122-123, Building 3, Kerry Center, 385 Yan’an Rd

Tel: (0571) 8899-5966

Hangzhou cuisine chef Ma Kunshan is determined to bring local diners outstanding, reasonably priced food in a relaxing atmosphere. Just a few weeks ago, he opened his Large Bowl Noodle restaurant, nestled in a narrow residential lane just across the street from Hard Rock Cafe in the Kerry Center.

Large Bowl Noodle has space for about 40 diners.

Unlike many other secluded lane restaurants, it’s bright, clean, and well-ventilated. Two chefs working in an open kitchen create noodle dishes starting at 12 yuan (US$1.77).

Even during the lunch time rush, service is prompt and efficient.

“A bowl of noodles can be made in about 40 seconds,” said Ma, who also owns several other Hangzhou restaurants.

For first time visitors, a good place to start is the classic Hangzhou noodle dish pian’er chuan, served with bamboo shoots, pork slices, and topped with preserved vegetables.

Many customers order multiple toppings, the most popular being sautéed eels, shrimp, and pig kidneys. In another break from tradition, these toppings are served in separate small bowls, allowing diners to add as much or as little as they please.

“We consumed 25 kilos of eels and 25 kilos of kidneys to experiment with what tastes bests,” said the boss.

 

Address: the crossing of Changshou and Hengchangshou roads (opposite to Hard Rock’s north door)

Hangzhou


 

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