The Beijing - Wellington

This one has been on the cards for a while, even lived in Newtown and always found something I thought was more appealing, to be honest I think its the street appeal of the place that used to make me second guess. Even after seeing an economist talk about the amazing chefs and it being a foodie haven, we never made it there. We finally broke the drought and ordered a couple of dishes, a Sichuan beef and a combination fried rice easy. Ordering was fine, even with no egg for an allergy, I took a quick look in the kitchen and saw the old woks, they looked like they had taken an absolute beating over many, many years... I was so impressed and happy waiting for the smokey deliciousness that follows. We tried both dishes and were very happy with both. Sichuan had some spice to it but not too much that it ruined the dish at all, just a hint and enough to know it was there. The fried rice was pretty good and had that smokey flavour I was hoping for. Would try a couple of other dishes there next time, and there will be a next time!

Beijing is one of Wellingtons culinary institutions it's been there so long that it's easily forgotten but it never should be.    The food isn't fussy or fusion or faddish it's honest to its origins and rarely fails to please. It has a great reputation, and you should not be dissuaded by the commonplace decor or unpreposessing surroundings. Recommend highly!

This is a family favourite for occasions involving a large group. You can be seated at a round table and enjoy dish after dish as they come out. We. Have been going for years and years and have never, ever been disappointed. Service is indeed a bit slow, but if you tell them to bring each dish out as it is cooked, and share, you will have a better experience and get to try more dishes, too. For vegetarians and vegans, the vegan 'duck ' made of seitan is just delicious and offers the Peking duck experience to non meat eaters. Look right to the back of the menu for this, or ask....

I've run across a couple of self proclaimed Wellingtonian foodies who have never been to the Beijing. It's possibly the fear of entering newtown and it's certainly an oxymoron. <br/ <br/ Beijing is one of wellingtons culinary institutions it's been there so long that it's easily forgotten. Tucked in behind the lights on constable street the frontage isn't obvious, and the net curtains don't give much away. A single square dining area a huge photo of a temple in Beijing a glass fronted kitchen that's all. <br/ The service can be variable sometimes English is very much a second language with the young and sometimes inexperienced wait staff. But that's ok maybe they are family, students, I don't know but they aren't arrogant or disinterested and in some ways it's a little funny.<br/ <br/ I've been here for family occasions on maybe thirty occasions often for birthdays and when the kids are home. It's a favorite with grandparents.<br/ <br/ Last year we hosted the Australasian symposium of gastronomy in Wellington and for its dinners chose Nikau and the Beijing. It was a mark of recognition both for the quality of the food, it's consistency and the extraordinary talent of its cook over so many years. To watch him cook for a full house, almost alone, is to watch a real master. The energy he puts into it I don't think is sustainable forever and one day the building will probably become just another op shop. Before then I suggest you go if you haven't and spend a few glances at the guy with the pans.<br/ <br/ The food isn't fussy or fusion it's honest to its regional origin. My favourites the duck and pancakes of course, a cold chicken entree in s spicy sauce , the inside out fish still amazes me. Dessert includes the classics from my childhood. One suggestion is to order the apple slices in caramel and a bowl of cold water. Instead of eating the hot gooey caramel as is, try dipping them quickly in the water they then become shatteringly delicious and crisp. <br/ <br/ This restaurant is special.

The Beijing has been a family favourite for a long time. The food and the service are usually supreme.  Last night my brother and my mother and I went for dinner, while the food was amazing as per usual, the service was quite shocking. Our meals arrived promptly but the young waiter and waitress kept trying to take our plates and food away while we were still eating which we all found incredibly rude.  Would be nice if they could be given some training on how to provide fast and efficient service without the rudeness.  This was easy to forgive though because of how good the food was! Their duck pancakes and their Sichuan style beef are a must try.