Hangzhou classic - Song He Lou

Song He Lou, The Mansion of Pine and Crane, is a historic establishment in Hangzhou founded in 1757. Like many Hangzhou restaurants, it bases its claim to fame on regular patronage by the Qing emperor Qianlong (1711-1799). The story is that his favorite dish whenever he dropped in was the famous "squirrel fish". At the restaurant's Beijing U-Town Lifestyle Center branch, all the signature dishes are here - marinated duck, boneless eel, brown-braised pork chops, and cherry pork. In consideration of the fusion preferences of diners, it also offers popular dishes from other cuisines. For example, critics laud its shengjianbao, sauted buns and aozaomian, noodles with pork broth. The noodles, especially, have reminded gourmets of the restaurant's origin as a noodle shop. Expect to pay about 150 yuan a head for an average meal. - Ye Jun

4/F Second phase of U-Town Lifestyle Center, Bldg 2, Sanfengbeili, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-8562-3559

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