Date: Mar 13th 2014 10:12a.m.
Contributed by:
ywang16
Most expats in Beijing are already all too familiar with Annie’s affordable Italian fare. The latest branch of the long-lived chain has opened up on Guanghua Lu across from the Sunshine 100 complex. Located just one block north of the Dawang Lu subway station, it’s a convenient pick for a dinner meet-up with friends after work, and gets busy at lunchtime.
The Annie’s menu has pretty much stayed the same. However, the Guanghua Lu restaurant may emanate a more modern, up-scale atmosphere than the other “cozier” branches, fitting with the CBD location. This restaurant’s walls are framed with sleek, dark wood and large glass panes that make the interior feel spacious and transparent.
The neatly organized wine cellar, which is encased in glass, separates the bar area from the main hall of the restaurant. Along with large paintings hung on bold, green walls, the decorative choices give the whole restaurant a more sophisticated appearance. The stone floor and numerous potted plants soften the ambiance, but there’s a feeling that this particular Annie’s restaurant should be more expensive than the menu suggests.
The food quality is what you’d expect. The classic Annie’s pizza (RMB56, small) had a tasty mix of bacon, sausage and salami, but the chili could have had more spice. We also tried the calamari fritti (RMB32), deliciously fried with some very potent tartar sauce.
Like other locations, the menu is family-friendly with its dedicated kids menu. It also offers numerous options for vegetarians and health-conscious eaters. The excellent quality of the service has also carried over from other branches—each member of staff anticipated our every need and refilled our glasses often.
Our rating: 3/5 stars
DETAILS
What: Annie’s
Where: Across from Sunshine 100, Guanghua Lu East 光华路东阳光100对面 …