The Filling Station has long been a popular hang-out for the Shunyi crowd, a family-friendly restaurant, serving up American diner-style cuisine. With a play room housing a soft ball pit, slides, and video games, when it opened in 2010 it had all the ingredients that expat families look for. For parents wanting a night out without the kids, neighboring bar The Green Cap with its pub quiz’s, and big screen sports, was the perfect venue for a great night. Then it all seemed to lose its way.
The Filling Station started looking tired and a bit drab, the playroom was dirty with broken equipment, the air con never worked, and the quality and presentation of food started to slide. But I’m pleased to say that it’s well and truly back on track. The two venues have been knocked through to create a bigger and much brighter space. The play room is now smaller, but it’s enough to keep little ones entertained, and for bigger kids there’s foosball and pool tables. The best part of all is the menu revamp, which has come about under the direction of French chef Clement.
You can still enjoy The Filling Station’s signature burgers, such as The Hombre with spicy beef chili and melted cheese, The Big Bacon Double, and The Monster Mushroom, plus some tasty veggie, chicken, and fish burgers. The grill station has been hugely improved, now offering grilled salmon, sea bass, steaks, fajitas and skewers, plus plenty of sides and no less than nine different sauces to choose from.
Salads include smoked salmon gravlax with salmon rillet, beetroot with feta cheese and roasted pine nuts, and fillet steak with mixed leaves, red onions and blue cheese. Sandwiches and wraps offer some great fillings, from French ham and cheese, to grilled vegetable, and southern fried chicken. All served with sweet potato chips, coleslaw, and side salad (RMB 48-65). There’s a range of risotto, pasta, and flat bread pizza dishes, with both meat and vegetarian choices. There’s a good selection of cocktails, wines, local and imported beers. And fans of craft beers will be pleased to know they have Slow Boat Brewery ales on tap.
The separate kid’s menu (RMB 35) includes breaded chicken, junior burgers, hot dog, pizza, and pasta. Mocktails, juices, and shakes give plenty of choice to keep their thirst at bay. The Filling Station has meal deals throughout the week; Monday buy one burger, get one free, Wednesday one free kid’s meal with every adult meal. They also provide outside catering and barbecues.
The Filling Station 揣着
Daily 11am-9.30pm. 2/F, 8 Laiguangying Donglu (beside Western Academy of Beijing), Shunyi District (8470 3821, info@fillingstationbeijing.com) www.fillingstation.com 顺义区来广营东路(北京京西学校旁边)
Home delivery
Mon-Sat 11am-9.30pm, Sunday 11am-8.30pm. Call 8470 3821.
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: Sally Wilson
