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Food for 1001 Nights by Linda Furiya
We arrived at the restaurant in the early evening and the place was packed inside and out. Fortunately, we were able to get a table outdoors without waiting and the staff appeared eager to accommodate arriving diners by moving chairs and bringing out more tables. With comfort in mind, the outdoor seating and tables were not the wobbly plastic variety, but the same cushioned, substantial furniture used indoors. Unlike the busy, crowded sidewalks of Sanlitun Lu, perfect for the drinking-and-spectator scene, 1001's outdoor seating is situated along the spacious sidewalk facing Gongti Bei Lu where pedestrians have plenty of room to pass by without being obtrusive to diners and where the noise and grime of the busy thoroughfare is far enough away. But if you decide to eat indoors, the feel is cozy without the cramp. Colorful Arabian tapestries and a collection of coffee urns add rich ethnic touches to the decor. Also, the food prep area is located in a separate room, reducing traffic flow considerably in the dining area. The menu was extensive, but confusing. Although some foods are self-explanatory, such as the Kebob Aubergine, descriptions of the foods would be helpful for the first-timer. Another solution: making sure the staff is up on what the menu items are all about, for the customer who asks. When I asked the waiter to describe a particular dish, he didn't know himself, nor did he make it sound as though it were worth trying. Juice-lovers will be delighted with the fresh and varied selection that includes the 1001 Nights Juice (20 RMB), a mixture of strawberry, apple, banana and milk, as well as a delicious banana juice and the old reliable carrot juice. Part of the fun of Arabic food is assembling sandwiches out of the variety of grilled meats, vegetables, dips and pocket pita breads. Although the food trickled to our table, it was worth the wait. The Houmous with Tahini (15 RMB) was creamy and garlicky. The Cucumber and Yogurt Dip (15 RMB) had a refreshing lemony zip that complimented the grilled meats. Though the Vegetable Salad (15 RMB) was boring old iceberg lettuce, the vinegar dressing was light and tangy. After quite a wait, the Grilled Fish arrived albeit dry and bland tasting. The Kebob Aubergine (40 RMB) consisted of succulent grilled eggplant and lamb meatballs. The Schwarma, my all time favorite, came last. The little plate of sliced roasted lamb and pickled cucumbers, lack the necessary ingredient that brings all the flavors together -- chili paste, which required an additional 15-minute wait.
Like most new restaurants, 1001 Nights is experiencing growing pains, having only recently opened. Despite its shortcomings, it is already becoming a Beijing favorite.
1001 Nights Restaurant Add: No. 8 Gongti Bei Lu, Sanlitun District Tel: 010-65076325 |
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Thanks to the owners of the Arabic pastry shop who satisfy our Baklava habits, Beijing now has the 1001 Nights Restaurant to satisfy those Houmous, Falafel and Schwarma hankerings, as well as providing romantic alfresco dining during sultry summer evenings.
1001 Nights has consistently delicious food and a relaxing, comfortable ambiance. Unfortunately the staff of waiters and waitresses make it one of those "nice restaurants, but..." Throughout the evening we were ignored, forgotten, and soon adapted the rule of informing three waiters of what we needed since it seemed more than likely that our single requests would fall between the cracks.