You might think the Chinese are a conservative bunch, but a night out at a funky Japanese yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant off one of Beijing's trendiest hutong alleys, will make you kiss off that idea.
Kiss Kiss, run by a charismatic Taiwanese guy, offers great and inexpensive barbecue dishes in a fun-filled steamy atmosphere thanks to the restaurant's table-side grills and their unique offer: kiss someone for ten seconds and you'll receive a free plate of beef tongue. This might sound a little icky to wimpy Western palates, but dip the tasty morsels into the freshly ground sesame sauce provided and you'll be a cow convert.
When we were there, two couples who had had a few glasses of the potent local brew meijiu – one boyfriend and girlfriend combo and two guys who got it on to the amusement of their respective girlfriends – were egged on to kiss by a cheering crowd. Be warned: kissing couples are recorded for posterity as the restaurant owner takes a Polaroid picture and plasters it on the wall.
Aside from the entertainment factor, the restaurant more than holds its own food wise. The bilingual menu offers different meat and vegetable options which you order already marinated and ready for your table's personal grill. If the friendly staff isn't too busy they'll cook it all for you at your table, but even if you have to man the grill yourself, it's not too arduous a task. Don't miss the incredibly tender Australian beef dipped in garlic butter sauce which, as well as all the kissing, provokes more than its fair share of passion, too.
Kiss Kiss, 2 Heizhima Hutong, off Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China; Open 5pm – 11.30pm; Tel: +86 10 6403 7626
Aman, the luxury hotel group, has opened its first Chinese property in one of the world's most famous landmarks: Beijing's Summer Palace.
The Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing, offers its guests 5* lodging steps away from the East Gate of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stunning Kunming Lake. It is also just 15km from the Forbidden City.
The hotel spreads across a series of historical buildings, gardens and courtyards. Some of the original rooms housed guests of the Empress Dowager Cixi, China's de facto ruler from 1861 to 1908.
Rooms and suites reflect traditional Chinese architecture and use authentic layouts, materials and fabrics. The hotel is small; just 18 rooms and 25 suites decorated with Ming-style furniture.
Guests can take advantage of the hotel's bars and restaurants, plus its spa, fitness facilities, library and boutique.
Rates start from USD 480 per night.
Photos courtesy of www.amanresorts.com
