By Carissa Welton (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-04 10:37

If you're looking for Q Bar you'll need to know how to find it. Unless you are a guest at the Eastern Inn on Sanlitun Nan Lu, you'd hardly stumble upon the red-lit indoor lounge and open-air patio nestled at the top of the hotel. Entering its third year of operation, Q Bar has built a shining reputation for quality cocktails.

The Q in Q Bar should stand for quintessential. It's obvious in terms of ambiance, drinks, and most recently - cuisine. Romantic and indulgent are two words that will spring to mind. The concept and design of Q Bar comes from the fusion of cultures, with one owner hailing from Germany and the other from China. Global traces can be found everywhere, from Q's color scheme to their menu. At the same time, the local flavor of Beijing makes a strong impression. Its open terrace enjoys one of the best skyline views in the city.

Q Bar serves up tempting desserts such as French Chocolate Cake, Mousse au Chocolat, and Raspberry Pavlova (a crispy meringue topped with fresh raspberry cream). Prices range from 30 to 40 yuan. In the fingerfood category, Little Devils are winners. They consist of fresh dates wrapped in crisp jackets of bacon generously served on a platter fit for four (40 yuan) and the spicy hummus and wasabi cream dips that complement the hand-made flatbread (35 yuan).

For an example of culinary nuance try the Quesadillas (40 yuan). Presented like a pastry, this dish comes with two dainty baked tortillas filled with chili relish, Gruyere cheese and sour cream. The Mini Bagels (55 yuan) are a hearty yet light choice. Freshly made, three mini bagels deliver three savory-sweet options: turkey with honey-mustard, prawns with a cream cheese sweet chili sauce, and a goat cheese honey spread, all delicately placed upon a green bed of romaine lettuce.

Q Bar
top floor of the Eastern Inn, Sanlitun Nanlu, 500 meters south of Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District

(China Daily 05/03/2008 page7)