Summer is around the corner. Many don't have good appetite during hot days. How about having dinner along water? It cools down both body and mind. The following is a list of restaurants surrounded by water. The good atmosphere may refresh you and gives appetite. Let's enjoy.

 

Beijing 

 

Diao Tai Restaurant

 

Diao Tai means a place for fishing in Chinese. As the name suggests, the restaurant is located beside a creek, which flows around.

 

Diao Tai features authentic Tonglu dishes, a small city in south China's Zhejiang Province, with delivering food materials from the city directly.

 

The recommended dishes are Hangjiao Zhugan (tender liver fried with spicy pepper slices) and Shaguo Guiyuhuang (lake crabs, shrimps, hams and wild funguses stewed in a terrine pot). At Diao Tai diners can also find some nice Shanghai and Hangzhou dishes.

 

Location: to the southwest side of Yuyang Hotel, Chaoyang District

Tel: 010-64669599/9699

 

Xigucun Japanese Restaurant

 

The whole restaurant is built as a small Japanese village consisting of houses with a creek flowing underneath. All the houses are separated with glass walls.

 

Dining there, you'll also hear water drops.

 

Location: inside Kunlun Hotel, No.2 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District

Tel: 010-65903388/5695

 

Tiandi Yijia Reataurant

 

Tiandi Yijia is built upon a renovated courtyard. Tables there are surrounded by small pond with small fish inside. The restaurant offers great dining atmosphere.

 

Location: No.140, Nanchizi Dajie (by Chang'anjie), Dongcheng District

Tel: 010-85115556/85115557

 

 

Shanghai

 

La Verbena Spanish Restaurant

 

La Verbena has the location advantage. It is situated along Huangpu River. No matter you have the outdoor or indoor seat; you'll have a view of the river. Especially the seat close to window for two people is hard to order before Valentine's Day. There will be live band at night.

 

The Spanish omelet and citrus marinated tuna are good.

 

Location: Store E, the northern end of Binjiang Dadao, No.2967 Lujiazui Xilu, Pudong Xinqu

Tel: 021-58789837

 

Sun with Aqua Japanese Dining & Bar

 

What impresses diners most is the whole wall of aquarium. The restaurant serves Japanese cuisine sush as sashimi, tempura and teppanyaki as well as sakes.

 

Location: No.6 the Bund, 2/F No.6 Zhongshan Dongyilu

Tel: 021-63392779

 

Yuga Restaurant

 

At Yuga diners have a nice view of Huangpu River. Especially in summer, the tables will be put at the restaurant's terrace, which is almost above the river and you will feel closer to the water.

 

Yuga features Shanghai dishes. Mocha Xuemeiniang (a dessert made of green tea and plum) and Zongzi Niunan (glutinous rice dumplings and beef) are recommended.

 

Location: 9/F Zhengda Plaza, No.168 Lujiazui Xilu, Pudong Xingqu

Tel: 021-50478077

 

(Modern Weekly April 4, 2007)