So your eyes are stinging and the fire flaring in your cheeks just won't go down? Ice-cream has to be the perfect antidote to a chili blow-out.
Before testing your limits at the chili-eating competition now on in Beijing, make sure to take note of the many places to indulge in summer's sweetest sensation.
Ice-cream fans are spoilt for choice in the capital, from the always delectable Haagen Dazs, to the soft blends at the Blizzards at DQ, to Baskin Robbins, which features a new flavor each day of the month.
Italian gelato, with its rich texture and melting quality, is the king of ice-cream. Those looking to lighten the calorie load should opt for fruit-based gelato over varieties made with cream and chocolate.
BJW lists our picks of where to get your frozen fix:
Ti Amo
This Italian gelato shop's choice of 40 ice creams can be ordered separately, or mix flavors together. The shop makes its smooth and creamy authentic Italian gelato, fresh each day. 15-100 yuan. 10am-9pm. 5-3 Grand Constellation, Huayuan Jie, Xidan, 5851-8227. 西单华远街置地星座; B1 New section, Chongguang Department Store, 8 Xuanwumenwai Dajie. 6310-5383. 宣武门外大街8号庄胜崇光百货新馆地下一层
Gustomenta
The store offers fresh, low-calorie homemade gelato in a stylish Italian environment. Daily 9am-midnight. 24 Sanlitun Beilu. 6417-8890. 三里屯北路24号; 8:30am-9:30pm, 1A, Bldg A, Yingdu Dasha, 48A, Zhichun Lu, Haidian District. 5873-3315. 海淀区知春路甲48号盈都大厦A座1A
Mondo Gelato Beijing (聚乐多意大利艺术冰淇凌)
You can choose fresh fruits to go with ice-cream of different flavors at this Canadian brand of Italian-style ice and gelato store. Daily 9am-10pm. 5/F Lufthansa Center, 52 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6465-1188 Ext 536. 朝阳区亮马桥路52号燕莎商场五层; B1 New World Shopping Centre, Chongwen District. 6708-9787. 崇文区新世界地下一层
Romana Ice Cream (罗马娜意大利冰激凌工厂)
The store offers 24 flavors of fresh homemade authentic Italian gelato, including the most popular yogurt and dark chocolate flavors. Daily 9:30am-10pm. B146, 1/F, Sun Dong An, 138 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6522-1161. 王府井大街138 号东城区新东安市场; Oriental Plaza, B1/ FF01, 1 Dongchangan Jie, Dongcheng District. 8518-0201. 东城区东方广场东长安街1号地下一层FF01
Senses (味)
The buffet and a la carte restaurant at The Westin Beijing offers an array of smooth ice, with up to 20 toppings for you to help yourself at the live cooking station. Buffet features Asian and international cuisine. Daily 6am-12pm. 1/F, The Westin Beijing, 9B Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. 6606-8866 西城区金融大街乙9号北京金融街威斯汀大酒店1层
Tous Les Jours (多乐之日)
Offering water ice along with a variety of pastries and cakes. Wudaokou, 35 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District. 6256-0783. 五道口店,海淀区成府路35号; 1/F 84580255 1/F Towercrest Plaza, 3 Maizidian Xili, Chaoyang District.朝阳区麦子店西里3号新恒基大厦1楼(女人街北)
Bellagio (鹿港小镇)
A Taiwan snack food restaurant offering nice smooth ice desserts with different toppings. 35 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District. 8451-9988. 朝阳区霄云路35号; 6 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 6551-3533. 朝阳区工体西路6号
Haagen Dazs
Delicious and dependable, but expensive. 1 Jianwai Dajie (6505-6527); all 1/F at venues below: St Regis, 21 Jianwai Dajie (6532-6661); Wangfujing's Oriental Plaza (8518-6071) and Sun Dong An (6559-6277); Grand Pacific Shopping Mall, Xidan (6616-4122).
DQ
DQ sells mostly soft ice cream, including Blizzards, with nearly 20 varieties, with nuts and fruits. At department stores in Anzhen Hualian (6443-6880 Ext 5233); Huapu (6580-1797); SOHO (8580-3132); Landao (6507-0328); Sun Dong An (6528-0952); also at Beijing Zoo (8838-9765); Xinjiekou (6617-1021) and Xizhimenwai (6221-6043).
Baskin Robbins
Soft and hard serve ice creams, iced coffee, ice pies and cakes, sundaes and milk shakes. Sun Dong An (8160-0563); Huapu (6580-2324); Guomao (6505-6039); Holiday Inn Lido (6436-7643); Ritan, (6501-8864); Asian Games Village, (8497-2472); East Gate Plaza, (6418-2339); Wangjing (6470-8246); Xidan (8160-8945).
(China Daily 07/25/2007 page9)
