On Beijing’s oldest downtown street in Qianmen, the entertainment centre of Old Peking, Capital M presides over one the most picturesque restaurant locations in the city located at the Zhengyang Gate on the south end of Tiananmen Square. The grand entrance is all about new Beijing design from the gold foil-colored walls ignited by modernist red starburst light fixtures to the geometric marble floors and walls of glass that face a magnificent terrace overlooking the Forbidden City. The main dining room drops the jaw with floating sofas that replace the usual banquette clad in red leather near columns illuminated by flaming gas fireplace. A stylish bar includes a small cocktail lounge with additional fireplace and terrace for gorging on the truly incredible views of suited-up professionals singles and sexy dealmakers with a Forbidden City backdrop.
The Food
Melbourne-born Michelle Garnaut is herself a trained chef and restaurateur with a culinary career over the past two decades that includes opening three restaurants and a popular bar in Greater China. Her chef Rob Cunningham leads Capital M's cuisine, beginning with Gazpacho two styles from clear to red, truffle-scented white asparagus with poached egg and M’s smoked salmon with dill and mustard sauce. Main dishes delve into Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, but rooted in European cooking methods for entrees of Crab tortellini over crab bisque, Moroccan platter of eggplant and pumpkin tanjine and crispy suckling pig with a signature sauce that’s a house specialty. Don’t miss the chef’s own homemade trifles and Sicilian chocolate terrine with crunchy nuts and candied fruits for dessert.
Last Word
Capital M opened in September 2009 on Qianmen Street with spectacular views overlooking Tian'anmen Square, and a menu of simply good food -- classic and nostalgic dishes, with a Beijing accent.
