Good Food and Honest Conversations: A Romantic Waterfront Meal at Hulu by TRB

Date nights are hard enough for couples with kids. Add a pandemic and they’re nearly impossible. After six months of being stuck at home with the kids, my parents couldn’t wait for school to reopen so they can go on a real date, just the two of them, so I was thrilled to introduce them to the hottest new restaurant in Shunyi.

Beijing isn’t known for its waterfront dining experiences, so imagine my parents’ surprise when they entered the former Fella’s across from the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) and discovered an open-air dining area overlooking a lake. With its white walls, woven lounge chairs, and tropical plants, this new Hulu by TRB felt like the perfect spot for a staycation date, day or night.

Giggle filled date nights are the best

When indoor dining struggled during the lockdown, Hulu first took over the Fella’s kitchen to fill the demand for takeout in the Shunyi area. But business was so good they decided to keep the space, opening a whole new branch of their popular Sanlitun restaurant. This was good news for those seeking the same casual fine dining charm with the added advantage of an al fresco waterfront view.

Just like the welcome drinks at a faraway resort, my parents were greeted with champagne flutes and fruity liquid sunsets – perfect for date night selfies. The appetizers, tiny avocado stuffed tomatoes (RMB 42) and Iberico ham croquettes (RMB 42), are sparse but flavorful preparation for the bigger courses.

When at Hulu, you must try the sliders: beef (RMB 23), pork (RMB 26), truffle (RMB 30), and spicy (RMB 35)! These miniature burgers are tender explosions of flavor, each one unique and presented with tiny toothpick flags. One bite and you’ll want to order more, if not for the other dishes waiting in the wings.

For instance, the sweet potato fries (RMB 58) paired beautifully with the sliders, served in an ice cream cone shaped container and seasoned with an array of spices. They’re best served hot and crispy. Even my dad had to admit they tasted better than his homemade ones.

Before they could finish enjoying and snapping #foodpics of the fries, two giant plates of food arrived. An array of beef, tomato, roasted walnuts, quail eggs, carrots, and so much more flowered out from the center of the Chef’s Salad (RMB 108), where slices of avocado were intricately arranged in a spiral. The honey mustard dressing comes in mini skillets, but you almost don’t want to pour it for fear of dimming the vibrant colors of the salad.

Following the salad was the main event, the Mixed Meat Platter (RMB 238) with rows and rows of beef tenderloin, chicken leg, pork neck, and sausages. Roasted corn and tomato gave it a rustic appeal, especially laid out on a wooden chopping board with two mini-skillets of sweet and savory sauces.

There’s also no forgetting the Boston Lobster Salad (RMB 158). Split down the middle and paired with a mango and orange salsa, the dish looked like a painting. Hulu’s lobster was tender and stood perfectly on its own, the fruit bringing out the savory umami flavor, making it taste almost like sashimi.

But of course, a date night meal wouldn’t be complete without desserts. My parents tried the Raspberry Smoothie Bowl (RMB 68) and Warm Chocolate (RMB 58). The chocolate fondant cake paired gorgeously with its vanilla ice cream. The Raspberry Smoothie Bowl stood at nearly 15 centimeters tall, deliciously tart and sweet with a creamy undertone of yogurt, leaving it more resembling ice cream; the perfect cherry on top for an ideal staycation date.

The whole Xu family at Hulu by TRB

My parents were married in Shanghai 17 years ago, and have moved many times between China and the US, but when they talk about their life together, they mainly reminisce about the old days in Shanghai where they met: including long romantic leisurely walks in the French Concession every night after dinner. They especially miss those memories now that we can’t travel far.

According to my mom, the secret to long and happy relations is good food and honest conversations. My dad agrees, but for different reasons: he jokes that the easiest way to get mom in a good mood is to give her something good to eat.

And that he did.