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cityweekend

Worth Its Salt Combining the talents of Gaby Alves (ex-owner/manager of Alameda) with Chef Daniel Urdaneta (formerly of Garden of Delights), makes SALT one of this year’s most anticipated restaurants. The modern, bright dining area houses an open kitchen with a row of stools for those who like to watch the culinary action. The bar allows a sampling of the restaurant’s quality and carefully chosen wines. Six house wines were ¥178 to ¥260 per bottle, with the Pinotage at ¥30 per glass a particular joy. Friendly and eager service complemented the fabulous food, available at lunch for ¥68 (two courses) or ¥98 (three courses), and dinner for ¥148 (two courses) and ¥168 (three courses). A tuna tartar with coconut foam was beautifully balanced with fresh fish, the feta in mixed salad leaves was delightfully crumbly, the pork loin melted in the mouth, and the beef tenderloin was, in a word, divine. To put it simply, this is one restaurant that lives up to expectations. –Duncan Smith

 

subcero

I went to SALT last Friday and it was very good, the chef has created a personal menu using great ingredients, modern techniques such as foams and essential oils. The ceviche was absolutely amazing. The food ranges from good to out of this world. The service was good a little slow when the restaurant was full but good. The prices are more than reasonable especially if you order the Three Course set menu. The decor was warm, inviting and unpretentious, deep grey and black colors. The open kitchen (seating five or six) features a black marble top and stools with backs providing a cool seat to view the cooking action and chat with the chef. Very nice restaurant I will back for sure.

 

9 months, 1 week ago

michael

My first experience was with their lunch set menu (about RMB 100 for your pick of starter, main, and dessert), and I have to say it was well worth it: cured duck salad, steak, and chocolate soufflé with white chocolate molten core. The portions are perfect for lunch -- not enough to make you sleepy, but the taste and combination is enough to keep you satisfied well into the evening.

 

9 months ago

lizchyna

I had lunch here last week. The food & service was good. Quite full, so reservation is highly recommended. Decor is minimalist. Only set lunch available i.e. RMB 78 (2 courses), RMB 98 (3 courses). Portion for Main Course is just nice but for those who are used to bigger portion may be disappointed. Good bread selection and the chocolate cake souffle is really good :-)

 

9 months ago

frankylu11

We had a fantastic dinner. The food was excellent as well as the service. The highlight of the evening was the chocolate soufflé. It was perhaps the best we ever had. Don't forget the wines.....nice new world selection, some very unusual like the house Argentinean red unfortunate I don’t remember the name. Our group highly recommends SALT. Definitely one of my new favorites. Pros: Desserts, wine list, food, service, ambience, fair price. Cons: small dining room so getting a table without reservation could be hard.

 

8 months, 3 weeks ago

jmc

The Chef before was working in place called euro diner.or people uses his picture because he is a forigner Spainish this is the 3rd place in beijing i think he moved in 6 months

8 months, 2 weeks ago

katekatebj

I went there with a lot of expectations as I was a huge fan of Alameda, but I have to say I was very disappointed. Went there for dinner, the appetizers (trio of fish and some shredded beef with avocado) was not only small, but the tastes was just not right, not that they are not fresh, just the flavoring was really off. My friend's main course was ok (scallops), but mine (steak) was awful! I had medium rare, the beef was the wrong texture, not juicy, and felt like it was boiled instead of grilled. It was also a little small, but bearable giving all the rising meat costs, but the sauce accompanying the steak was the worst I had in my life!!! It's predominately made of that spice that they put on lamb skewers (Don't get me wrong, I love lamb skewers and that spice tastes wonderful on those skewers), and gee I have to say, it just the worst sauce for steaks.

I really hope that they will improve as I like the owner (ex owner of alameda) whom I think is very nice! Since I live also nearby Salt, I really hope that this restaurant will save me all the trouble of commuting to other restaurants in Sanlitun.

 

8 months, 1 week ago

lizchyna

I went to Salt for dinner last weekend with my husband and 2 others. The place was buzzing! Packed to the max that even at 9pm, we could not get a table since we didn't make a reservation. Some diners were happy to enjoy their food by the bar area or infront of the open-kitchen counter, seated on bar stools. We sat by the bar area and enjoyed some drinks while waiting for a table. We finally got one around 9.30pm. Yes, the portion is smaller but value for money plus good quality. We ate 2 x 2 courses, 2 x 3 courses, a bottle of South African red wine, 4 margaritas, 2 double expressos, a macchiato, a Grappa and a Scotch for around RMB1,200. This place is not for people who are looking for HUGE portion, but rather for people who like to enjoy their food in unpretentious ambience! And the fact that the place is always packed is an indication that the rest of us enjoy going to SALT :-)

7 months, 3 weeks ago

else

I´ve been twice to Salt for lunch. Both times my friends and I had an enjoyable meal. The service is professional, decor warm and modern and the food well balanced, delicious and beautifully presented. I was however stunned at having to pay 70 Kwai for a double shot capputino!! Pretty steep compared to the 78 Kwai two course lunch. Mistake?!

7 months, 2 weeks ago

rest888

Hi, this is Gaby, the owner of SALT. I apologise for you being overcharged for your coffee. That is the cost of two cappucino's. Please accept my apology and a complementary double shot cappucino next time you visit. And please, if there are ever any discrepancies, please feel free to approach me on the spot! (or Lucy if I am not there!). Gaby.

7 months, 2 weeks ago

kevinkclee

Absolutely wonderful. I am a huge fan of open kitchen + bistro/grill feel. Serving the burgeoning sophisticated-casual market. What else do we expect from those that brought us Alameda?

The food was the right portions for that kind of richness (you don't want to overdose yourself on all that flavour). On that day I had the Tuna which was thoroughly enjoyable, and I also had Chocolate lava cake, which they made to precision.

The prices were as expected for that kind of venue; and at over RMB100 per person for a 2 course lunch, I would still say its in the 'value' range. However they run a pretty tight ship, and even water will run you 18 kuai.

I especially like how Gaby is personable and approachable and keeps the all-important personal touch. Gaby, thank you for coming around and getting our feedback.

For me, its a good all-around occasion destination, for business and pleasure. I will definitely be going back.

 

7 months, 2 weeks ago

killa_ace

Good food, douschbag crowd.

 

7 months, 1 week ago

rest888

With the current debate about a possible smoking ban in restaurants in the air, just wanted to note that SALT has aways been non-smoking and will continue to be. Smoking is permitted in the bar area and there are two tables there that can be reserved. So far the response to this has been great! Most people say they enjoy a break from the table when they feel like a cigarette and diners are loving the smoke-free environment.

6 months, 3 weeks ago

san_sm

went there a month back. food's alright but kinda not so alright for the price but for the ambiance and interior - worth it. view = chaoyang park. so it's good. kitchen's open concept, giving it a friendly font. service is great too - waiters speak good english. did i mention there's a place to watch football downstairs (not salt) too? =)

 

6 months, 2 weeks ago

rhonavalley

The best new restaurant that I have had the pleasure of dinning, in years, the Chef is very good and motivated and his menu selections are outstanding. I admire his insight to new and wonderful tastes. He is a gem of a kind in this city full of old fashion chefs. Food: excellent Service: good Wine list: very good Location: good

 

6 months, 2 weeks ago Updated See rhonavalley's latest review »

cynthjeany

The dining area is illuminated with natural sunshine. I especially like it using nice glassware as interior decoration, and all the action in the kitchen and great food makes the whole experience complete.

 

5 months, 1 week ago

the_roosters_wife

I read a city weekend column on the chef here and decided to go give it a peak. The CW article does not lie! The food feels 100% fresh and I genuinely feel like Beijing flavor has seeped into his dishes (as in, he is really doing some original stuff here). Ill definitely be back.

 

4 months, 2 weeks ago

adidasxk

Great bistro, reservations during lunch is a must, otherwise good luck on the lines. Lunch was superb, the tuna tar tar was perfectly seasoned, the beef medalion was good and dessert was heavenly. Well done and come back is on the next list for dinner.

 

4 months, 1 week ago

xigor

I went there for the Sunday "brunch" which was nothing else than a normal lunch in my opinion. Anyway, the lunch was definitely worth the money and I especially liked the innovation in the dishes. Great mixtures of ingredients and nice deco on the plate.

The overall experience in SALT is reminiscent of Alameda's, including the noise and that's probably the most annoying part of going to SALT. Even though they obviously stuck some noise-reduction cushions on the ceiling, the place is just too noisy and almost sounds like Ikea's canteen. Another small problem was the smell of the kitchen which was spreading in the dining room.

If they manage to fix those small problems, they will deliver one of the most exciting dining experience in Beijing. Anyway, 4 stars for this place!

 

4 months ago

rhonavalley

My wife and I were invited to a sit down wine dinner party at Salt that was hosted by the Portugal ambassador. The menu consisted of four delicious courses pare with three amazing Portuguese wines. Chef Daniel food was a crescendo of culinary heaven! Highlights of the experience included a Salmon ceviche salad, which I could have feasted on for days, Potato and bacon Foam, tender and juicy Beef tenderloin with a fragrant pepper sauce. Each dish was so fresh, simple and interesting. Chef Daniel is an eclectic, intelligent, and exciting young chef who know food and more importantly, enjoys food, making the experience sublime for all lucky enough to be at his table. No doubt this kid is one of the best in Beijing.

 

3 months, 3 weeks ago

johnotoole

Absolutely stellar food. The flavors, combinations, even presentation, are all on par with the finest restaurants in other world cities and, unlike say Green T. or Courtyard, still substantially cheaper than the somewhere like Balthazaar's, M on the Bund, etc. What I enjoyed most about the food was that it was indeed fusion food, and inventive, yet often subtle and subdued. No real "flavor explosions," which, in this case anyway, is definitely a compliment. As an added bonus, the decor is lovely, the staff sublimely helpful and pleasant, the wine list excellent, and the bartenders know how to mix a proper aperitif.

SALT should not be missed.

 

3 months, 3 weeks ago

yk1624

Not up to the hype. If I hadn't heard all the hype about SALT, my expectations wouldn't have been so high, and I wouldn't have been disappointed. But the reviews are so good, I just thought . . .

Hope the servers i had were trainees, because it took us three tries to get water, and then only the person who asked for it got some (there were 6 of us there, by the way) -- another two tries to get it for everyone. The servers didn't seem too clear on the concept/connection of the salt on the tables with the name of the restaurant and with the food. when we tried to ask her what kind of salt it all was, she just pointed out that, "This one is brown, this one had large granules, this one is orangey . . ." Thanks. Couldn't see that for myself. The food was just okay, too. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't incredible. The demi glace was off, which put a damper on the whole plate.

 

3 months, 1 week ago

jetblack

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience at SALT. Did you let Gaby know while you were there? She usually bends over backwards to ensure that you are completely satisfied. Daniel is also readily available to change something if you are not happy with the food. The staff have been commended on their excellent service from all accounts so I do apologise if you were disappointed. Thanks for pointing out the problems you encountered, your feedback is appreciated.

3 months, 1 week ago

bj_expat37

i loved salt when it first opened, but the past few times I've gone I noticed the white chocolate center slowly disappearing from the souffle...why? the white chocolate center was the whole point of the souffle! maybe i've just had some bad luck...

2 months, 2 weeks ago

jetblack

Hey bj_expat - the white chocolate centre should be there!! It is the point - I have told Daniel. Please accept my apologies.. let Gaby know when you're in next so she can make sure everything is perfect for you.

2 months, 2 weeks ago

klam

From start to finish the experience was great. The food was great. The service was good and the waitstaff were polite. Coming from NYC, I expect a lot and have been to many restaurants in China that falsely boast about their 5 star cuisine. At SALT its a true dining experience and they deliver on all fronts. Cheers!

2 months ago

littlelulu

I love salt! My friends and I try to make it there as often as we can for the amazing lunch specials. I love the fact that the menu is constantly changing and the food always tastes so fresh and flavorful. The restaurant itself is well-lighted and comfortable and the open-air kitchen is a wonderful treat! Also, I love love love the souffle!

 

1 month, 3 weeks ago

mark840923

Great lunch! It's the best lunch I have had in Beijing. Every dish is delicious and beautiful, especially chocolate souffle cake!!! Amazingly tasty. We'll come back frequently.

 

1 month ago