Element Fresh
Best Smoothies
Cuisine: Contemporary
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Though the portions aren’t kid-sized, the menu offers many kid-friendly items – a tuna fish sandwich, macaroni and cheese, grilled quesadilla, triple-scoop ice cream bowl.
Three healthiest items for kids: Try the homemade hummus with fresh vegetables and pita bread, the California garden salad and the fresh vegetable wrap with tofu.
Kid-friendly staff: Attentive and courteous English-speaking.
Bathroom: The toilets are located outside the restaurant in the adjoining shopping center. Though there are sit-down toilets, there is no changing table and the bathrooms are not particularly clean. At time of review, the stall doors did not have locks.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: High chairs are available upon request, as well as booths.
Average price: Less than RMB 300
Parking: Yes, street parking
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Modern, but cozy
Must-order item: Any inventive sandwich and a delectable smoothie. Perhaps a honey-seared salmon fillet served on a panini roll with hummus and citrus remoulade, accompanied by a tropical storm smoothie (orange juice, yogurt, strawberries, bananas).
In a nutshell: Element Fresh offers imaginative fresh and healthy food served in a modern, yet homey atmosphere by helpful and friendly wait staff. SG
Mon-Fri 9am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm. A2-112, Qianmen Avenue, Dongcheng District (6702 0364) 东城区前门大街a2-111 See Directory under American for more locations.
Fizztastic
Best Seafood Buffet
Cuisine: Brunch
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Look for “Kidz Paradise,” a kid-sized buffet with cartoons for entertainment. Picky eaters can pick from a wide range of Western and Asian live cooking stations. Desserts include pies, tarts, crepes and soufflés.
Three healthiest items for kids: Steamed vegetables, fruit salad, and pasta.
Kid-friendly staff: Attentive and courteous, English-speaking.
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down toilets.
Kids’ play area: There’s a room devoted entirely to kids – where they can watch cartoons, feast on cotton candy and other sweets, and play with toys.
Seating: Highchairs are available upon request.
Price: RMB 368+15% (adults), RMB 184+15% (kids 7-12 years) and free for children 6 years and below
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Plush hotel setting that’s cozy enough for the kids to roam.
Must-order item: Try the delicious crab legs, shrimp cocktail, and other seafood at the buffet.
In a nutshell: Tasty Chinese and Western buffet in an immaculate setting. This buffet leaves plenty of room for indulgence (seafood, champagne and delectable desserts) as well as comfort foods (breakfast staples like eggs and bacon). A lovely way to spend a lazy Sunday morning. Bo Vernon
Sun 11.30am-3pm. 5/F, Hilton Hotel Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng District (5812 8888 ext 8411) 东城区王府井希尔顿酒店王府井东街8号
Capital M
Cuisine: Contemporary
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Chicken nuggets, steak and chips, scrambled eggs with toasted soldiers, spaghetti with butter sauce or tomato sauce. Immense ice cream concoctions. (Kids menu only available for Sunday brunch)
Three healthiest items for kids: The fish and chips with salad, the bread basket, the seasonal fruit platter with yoghurt, honey and pistachios.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff doted on our kids – all speak at least some English.
Bathroom: Spotless, gorgeous and not a squat in sight! No change table but plenty of space to put a change mat on the floor.
Kids’ play area: (Play area available during Sunday brunch only.) Well-thought-out, with activities for all age groups. Separate from the main dining room, but close enough for parents to keep an eye on the kids. A large train set shares space with crayons, pencils and paints, blocks, a whiteboard with marker pens.
Seating: Highchairs are available. In summer, Capital M will be even better for kids as the outdoor balcony is perfect for brunch.
Average price: RMB 600. Brunch: RMB 218-258 (2-3 courses) includes a signature cocktail.
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Sophisticated, but strangely relaxed for Sunday brunch.
Must-order item: M’s famous Pavlova.
In a nutshell: Capital M has achieved what very few other restaurants have – it’s a place that adults and kids will enjoy equally. However, keep in mind that though the Sunday brunch is delightful, the restaurant is decidedly "adults only" Mon- Sat. Art Deco-style interior with amazing attention to detail. With an exceptionally high level of service and delicious, unfussy food, we will be returning again and again. JS
Daily 11am-midnight, Sunday brunch 11.30am-5pm. 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street, Chongwen District (6702 2727) 崇文区前门大街2号3层
InspiRED
Cuisine: Brunch
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Try the chocolate fountain and the great finger foods in their kids’ menu.
Three healthiest items for kids: Sushi rolls, pasta, fresh seafood
Kid-friendly staff: Yes, great English-speaking staff always willing to chase your kids around the table. Nanny service available for RMB 80/hr.
Bathroom: Yes, modern and immaculate.
Kids’ play area: Westin Heavenly Crib with comfy rollaway beds for napping kids. The Westin Kids’ Club has a dedicated playroom with slides, toys, books, DVDs and craft activities.
Seating: Tables and chairs.
Price: Adults: RMB 368+15% includes free-flow champagne; RMB 298+15% includes free-flow soft drinks and juice. Kids: RMB 148+15% includes free-flow soft drinks and juice.
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Lively and contemporary
Must-order item: Caviar.
In a nutshell: A sophisticated brunch but never stuffy. Families will love the festive weekend crowd. IK
Sun 11am-3pm. 1/F, Westin Beijing Financial Street, 9B Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District (6629 7810) 西城区金融街乙9号
