Keven of the popular, if unusually spelled Keven's Cafe, is trying his hand at Chinese food with Keven's Chinese, just a short walk from his Western-style eatery.

Unfortunately, the charm of the original didn't make the trip - Keven's Chinese is not much more than a disappointing spin-off. Our chicken and basil (RMB 36) arrived with no basil, coated in a thick, sugary sauce that tasted like candy. The roast pork (RMB 32) was dry and stringy; the lemon chicken (RMB 36) a bit stale. Nor did the marinated pork with glutinous rice steamed in bamboo tube (RMB 38) offer anything but a clever presentation. Other dishes, including fresh crab meat and vegetables (RMB 38) and stir-fried noodles (RMB 28) were satisfactory, but not memorable. With so many other options in this restaurant-rich neighborhood, Keven's Chinese just doesn't stand out from the crowd.

Food: 2/ Service: 3/ Atmosphere: 3/ Cost for two (excluding drinks): RMB 158

keven's chinese restaurant
Daily 11am-2pm, 5:30-10pm. All cards.
Address: 1 Wulumuqi Lu, by Dongping Lu
TeL: 021-64666565