New find for fin fans

Beijing Weekend By Li Jing Shark fin is usually the showpiece dish of any Guangdong-style restaurant because of its status among diners. On the ground level of Holiday Inn Chang An West Beijing, Wu Fu Lin Men Shark Fin Restaurant caters for patrons with a menu ranging from expensive shark fin to cheap cakes and snacks. The restaurant is in a distinctive building that is neon-lit at night, casting an attractive glow onto the street. The first thing you notice when entering the dining room is a sense of space. The atmosphere is refined and relaxed, with classical music playing in the background. The gentle lighting, provided by regal lamps that hang from the ceiling, has a soothing effect. Buddhist sculptures and Chinese folk carvings are on display around the dining hall. And, unlike many restaurants, Wu Fu Lin Men Shark Fin Restaurant does not try to cram in as many tables as possible until every square-inch of space has been filled. Instead, a large portion of the main dining room is dedicated to paintings and many other artworks. Shark fin is a delicacy, prized by gourmets for both its flavour and its nutritious value. Since there are very few restaurants in Beijing that serve shark fin as their main course, many customers at Wu Fu Lin Men are curious about the different ways it can be served. Therefore, set meals are offered for customers' convenience, making it easy to order even for those who have never tried shark fin before. The chefs at Wu Fu Lin Men draw on different cuisines to develop interesting new flavours. The main course is always shark fin, of course, but the side dishes change from time to time. Since shark fin has a very subtle taste, preparing it properly is not easy. Wu Fu Lin Men's chefs cook the fins in a broth with a ham and chicken base until they have absorbed the essence of the soup. They then add sauce. This complicated and time-consuming method of preparation is the only way to draw out the flavour of the shark fin. Despite the high level of preparation required, the set dinner costs usually around 500 yuan (US$62). Although the side dishes are similar to those served with the set lunch, the shark-fin steak served at dinner comes from the middle section of the fin, the highest quality part. Whether you want to treat some friends or have a family get-together, Wu Fu Lin Men has the food and the atmosphere to satisfy. And the prices are quite reasonable, especially when one considers the high-quality ingredients and the amount of time and care devoted to preparation. Wu Fu Lin Men Shark Fin Restaurant is located on the first and second floors of Holiday Inn Beijing Chang An West. It can seat 470 people. Opening hours Lunch: 11:00 to 14:30 Dinner: 17:00 to 22:30 Holiday Inn Beijing Chang An West also offers two other stylish restaurants featuring Cantonese, Korean Barbecue, Hot Pot, Italian and an international buffet for both business and family gatherings.

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