Polish Kasia Baran is the marketing manager at Yew Chung International School of Beijing. Her husband, Beijing native Nathan Wang is an art critic and curator at Zian Art Gallery in Songzhuang Artists’ village. Their son Lukasz Wang is 16 months old. The family moved from the US to Beijing in 2004. With almost seven years of Beijing-living under their belts, the family sat down with beijingkids to share their favorite food and shopping locales.
Best Indoor Activity
Lukasz likes indoor playgrounds like the new Joy City on Chaoyang Beilu. Also, galleries and bookstores are great for occupying an
adventurous toddler.
Date Night
A movie night at home with a glass of wine once Lukasz is fast asleep is a perfect date for us at the moment.
New Discoveries in Beijing
We just discovered The Butcher’s Steakhouse in Sanlitun – it has a patio and great deli choices. It is our new hangout.
Favorite Dessert
Definitely cheesecake; nothing rivals Kasia’s mother’s homemade version.
Family Rituals
Pizza night on Fridays. On Saturdays, we like to Skype Lukasz’ grandparents in Poland.
Favorite Family Restaurant
The Cantonese-style Jin Ding Xuan (金鼎轩酒楼) is kid-friendly. Its
Tuanjiehu location has a big non-smoking area upstairs and the
food is delicious. Lukasz loves the colorful bowls and spoons.
Favorite Shop Spot
Nate goes to Zhongguancun for electronics and Taobao.com for almost everything else. Kasia goes to Gaobeidian Furniture Street (高碑店家俱一条街) near Dongwuhuan for home interior pieces and Panjiayuan Antique Market for eyeglasses. For Lukasz, C&A in Viva Mall and H&M in Glory Mall.
Best Day Trip
Songzhuang Artists’ Village. It has lots of galleries and huge spaces for kids to roam free while parents can enjoy contemporary Chinese art. It is also peaceful and quiet.
Best Parks
Our favorites are Chaoyang Park, Honglinjin Park and Zhongshan Park.
