Miss Cracker Barrel? Try Bistro Blu!

While you still miss wonderful and hearty restaurants like Cracker Barrel in the American Southeast, many people have already found the perfect place in Beijing to fill that void. Bistro Blu is a western restaurant that not only provides excellent food but also a shopping place and a children’s playground. Before you get too excited: no, Bistro Blu does not have Southern comfort food like Cracker Barrel, but cuisines like Italian food and German food are available so that customers will never get bored in this restaurant.

Bistro Blu is situated on Number 2 JiangTai Road in Chaoyang district, and it attracts customers from many other districts like Haidian and Xicheng. The restaurant has been open for two years at this site, but the company started seven years ago. It is open from 10 am to 9pm all week.

Bistro Blu is great for families since parents can always shop and enjoy a hearty lunch while their kids play in the playground. Slides, bridges, and the small net houses will instantly become a palace for children. The restaurant also accepts reservations for birthday celebrations. Usually, the restaurant will prepare decorations and birthday cakes, as well as bring performers like magicians and clowns to interact with kids. Also, Bistro Blu offers classes for children to learn how to make their own pizza and bake little cookies during birthday parties.

Bistro Blu not only provides food for adults but also children’s meals. Chefs would sometimes put smiley faces on the potato pies and lay different fruits and vegetables in formations interesting to kids.

Many materials are imported, with meat from Germany and Norway. The restaurants tries to use little salt and oil in their cooking in order to make healthier meals. The open kitchen is also an effort to ensure the transparency of the food preparation process.

The price is approximately RMB 150 per person. If you become a member of Bistro Blu restaurant, they can give you a discount if you reach the specific deposit level. Also, set meals from Monday to Friday will have a discount price as well.

Bistro Blu 布鲁亲子餐厅

Monday-Sunday 10-9pm, Number 2 JiangTai Road in Chaoyang District, (contact: 010-84501589) 朝阳区将台路2号

Photos: Penelope Zhang