Zhiweiguan in Hangzhou

One of our goals in our Hangzhou trip was to try out 南方式小笼包 South-style xiaolongbao. We had it in one of Hangzhou's most famous chains Zhiweiguan. Perhaps it was due to the May holidays, and that it was a Sunday night, but their branch in 西湖 Xihu was packed and the turnover was quick.

They had an efficient way of inputting orders. First, we had to buy proxy-money at the front of the restaurant, then go to whichever counter served the food that we wanted to order. We went for the xiaolongbao, given to us as soon as we handed in the proxy-money and it seemed like the 服务员 waiter came out with around 5 batches of xiaolongbao every 5 minutes. 

小笼包 Xiaolongbao, RMB 15 for 8 pieces

Dinner with Lucy's Hangzhou-based family

Apologies to the readers for the lame title, but when they led us in an ark-looking restaurant with decadent decor, then into a room full of laughter and food, I was swallowed whole by the experience. Below are some of the food we had - all South-style 吃饭.

Thanks to Anton and Four Points by Sheraton, Hangzhou

For our May holiday in Hangzhou, my friend Anton booked us two rooms in Four Points by Sheraton. My room was upgraded to a suite so it was fruits, chocolates and pastries (and other amenities) on demand. Thank you! The Macha chocolates made the trip more relaxing.

Trattoria Italiana in Tianjin

To cap our Tianjin trip, my good friends Anton, Ralvin and I went to Tianjin's Italy style town for dinner. Italy-style town is basically a string of restaurants in Italian style houses, but the range of cuisines include Italian, Thai, Irish, Chinese and Vietnamese. 

We went for the Tianjin Guide's recommendation - Trattoria Italiana. It did not disappoint! I have also been craving for Italian (and Japanese) food for a long time, so this satisfied my cravings.

Risotto ai frutti de mare (seafood risotto with tomato) for RMB 108

Goubuli Baozi from Tianjin (狗不理从天津）

Spring has come, which means more time traveling outdoors. We took a day trip to Tianjin, a port city 30 minutes by train away from Beijing, and enjoyed its period European architecture and their specialty food: 狗不理包子 Goubuli baozi

We headed to 食品街 Tianjin Food Street, a covered commercial complex selling all sorts of food from different parts of China, and headed to the corner lavish restaurant that advertised itself as authentic Goubuli Baozi.

百年酱肉包, Steamed pork bun with sauced pork stuffing for RMB 13

Ditto on that

Source

天津食品照片儿 Tianjin Food snaps

One of the visits that we did during out Tianjin weekend was to visit 食品街 Food Street, a commercial complex that housed all sorts of food coming from all parts of China. It was an intersection of a variety of food, a feast for the eyes! But my camera could not capture much of it as I gunned for free tastes.

Ham from 哈尔滨 Harbin. The meat is wrapped in some sort of gel. Pork gel?