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A feeling of finesse
Whilst the cuisine at "Boys and Girls" is simple, it is also rich in flavor. There are many surprises in the menu such as the Xiao chao tian ji (小炒田鸡, literally little fried field chicken, 38 RMB) which actually has nothing to do with field chicken. It's actually sautéed frogs with red chilli. The first mouthful may seem very spicy, but actually it isn't. The chilli flavour fills your whole mouth with a pleasant tingle, whilst not being so spicy as to ruin your taste buds. The carrot and yam (12 RMB) is a delight for the eyes. The vibrant orange contrasts with the whiteness of the yam, which actually looks like a baby turnip. There is no added oil.
The sautéed beans and marrow are much like the carrot and yam. Tender and green, they are firm and cooked to perfection. The sautéed pork with dried bamboo shoots and little steamed buns are great value at 28 RMB. Finely cut and well wrapped, the pork slices are quite difficult to detach. Covered with a thin piece of fat on the top, the meat has the delicate taste of smoked ham. The bamboo is crunchy and soaked in a sauce with an identifiable yet delicious flavour, which perfectly marries the rest of this salted dish. Warm and soft, the small buns are slightly sweet.
The Cantonese rice is anything but bland. Prepared only with the freshest of ingredients (diced ham, shrimps, green peas, eggs and chives), every grain is light, and ungreasy. "Boys and Girls" also provides pricey, but well loved Chinese delicacies such as Papaya with bird nest (258 RMB), and Shark fin and abalone in soya sauce (238 RMB). The drinks menu includes a great choice of reasonably priced Chinese alcohol, fruit juice and soft drinks. One recommendation: try a glass of steaming corn juice (8RMB) to drink the long cold Beijing winter.
Boys and Girls (男孩女孩) : 1) Beichen Dong Lu (on the north side of the street, at the 2nd set of traffic lights, turn right and carry on for another 200m on the north side of the road). Yayuncun, Anhui Qiao, go west and take the side road. 北辰东路向北第二个红绿灯右转向前 200米路北. 亚运村安慧桥向西走辅路. Tel: 010-6492-4327 or 010-6492-4296. 2) Chaoyang Lu Erwai Beimen (go west for 150m on the north side of the road). 朝阳区朝阳路二外北 门往东150米路北)
Text: Aurélie Palancher
Photos: Wang Zhuo
October 2007
