Why spice is nice

Meizhou Dongpo Sichuan Restaurant's vineyard branch (眉州东坡葡萄庄园) in Cuigezhuang is an upgrade of the popular Sichuan restaurant. With more than 30 branches in Beijing, this chain is one of the best outlets for Sichuan cuisine in the capital.

Cuigezhuang township is on Jingshun Lu just outside the Fifth Ring Road, with an emerging restaurant area that includes such names as The Orchard and Green T House.

The vineyard branch's specialties are supposed to be even more authentic. The Meizhou Dongpo sausage (原味眉州东坡香肠) is truly meaty and sumptuous. Preserved spare pork ribs (腊味排骨) and hairtail in brown sauce (酱香带鱼) are two other good starters.