Hutong

Frommer's Review

A hutong is an ancient alley or lane, once common in Beijing's courtyard neighborhoods but now quickly disappearing. This stunning restaurant, however, is about as far from a real hutong as one can get, since it's located on the 28th floor of a strikingly modern high-rise. Still, the restaurant is to be commended for its down-to-earth yet dramatic setting, with red lanterns providing the only splash of color against a dark, muted interior, and with birdcages everywhere -- hanging from the ceiling, decorating tables, and silhouetted against windows providing fantastic views of Hong Kong. Indeed, everything about this place is a class act. The cuisine, which is northern Chinese in origin but uses new ingredients and combinations to create its own trademark dishes, is so enticing it's hard to know what to recommend. I love the drunken raw crab (an appetizer marinated 3 days in Chinese wine), the crispy deboned lamb ribs, and crispy soft-shelled crab with Sichuan red chili. Even the pig throat with scallions and cilantro is a whole lot better than it sounds, especially when you wash it down with chilled lychee wine with a touch of soda. In short, Hutong raises the bar in chic Chinese restaurants, winning hands down in cuisine, presentation, atmosphere, view, and service. Note that there's a minimum charge of HK$300 (US$39/£19) per person.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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