Ever since its opening, Purple Haze has always enjoyed a high
standing in the capital, and their popularity is set to grow with
the arrival of Purple Haze Bistro.
The swanky yet comfortable environment feels more New York than
Beijing, as live jazz (Wednesday nights) accompanies the exciting
Southeast Asian fare on the menu. A bowl of Vietnamese chicken
salad (RMB 38)-composed of vermicelli, slivers of onion, cucumber,
carrots, crushed peanuts and shredded chicken dressed in lime and
mint vinaigrette-was certainly a great way to begin the meal.
As the meal went on, things got even better: The lime chicken
curry (RMB 40) came with delicate chunks of chicken bathed in a
mouth-puckering sauce, while the seafood in pumpkin sauce (RMB
58)-a sweet stew-like dish made with coconut milk-added a creamy
texture without overpowering the flavors of the fresh seafood.
The Filipino paella (RMB 45) was also superb, but it couldn't
outshine the previous two dishes. Service was friendly and drinks
are reasonably priced.
Purple Haze Bistro
Open: noon-2am.
Location: 201, Building 3, China View, 2 Gongti Donglu,
Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-65019345
(That’s Beijing December 29, 2007)
