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cityweekend

Sexy Burgers

Gourmet burgers fit to accompany a glass of fine wine have arrived in Beijing. Housed in Hotel G, the newly opened boutique hotel, 25 Degrees is a franchise of a popular Hollywood counterpart owned by Domaine Restaurants. The theme of retro, sexy cool got us into the mood to get creative with our personalized burgers. We had our ground beef topped with brie, arugola, caramelized onion, sundried tomatoes and garlic aioli (RMB130). The toppings were scant, but the meat was cooked to a juicy medium-rare. As the burger is rather hefty and we recommend a heavy sauce like chipotle or one of the Asian flavors like Kung Pao hot sauce or Hainan Black pepper.

The menu’s other offerings are enough to distract any beef-lusting carnivore. We had the appetizing veggie burger with gorgonzola melted over, sautéed mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and lemon-dill sauce (RMB110). This carbo-load of potato and bread was worth the calories with its perfect texture as we took special note of their burger buns made with a special recipe without water. Their much-touted Guinness milkshake (RMB60) is a frothy, vanilla malt with a kick of Guinness, a definite must try. Still peckish? Dig into their Onion rings (RMB55 for half fries/onion rings), doughy and savory, made with fresh batter every time.

Finally, we predict the G Martini (RMB70) will be a hit with the ladies, fruity but not saccharine sweet, a new drink that renders the Cosmopolitan obsolete. This 24h Burger bar is a pricey but unassuming place for bar food gone gourmet. And we have to agree that their Ground sirloin steak burger is one of the best in Beijing.

Lily Kuo

 

echoli

A funky new sister venue to legendary Los Angeles burger & wine bar 25 Degrees has opened at the Hotel G Beijing - the capital’s latest designer boutique hotel.

Named after the precise temperature difference between a raw and well done hamburger, 25 Degrees introduces a sophisticated new twist on the traditional American burger bar concept – complete with funky music and cool “bordello meets burger bar” décor.

Complementing the fun vibe is an extensive wine list including good-value vintages available by the half-bottle.

Rather than familiar fast-food burgers, diners discover tender and juicy variations of prime ground sirloin steak and fresh free range chicken – grilled according to personal preference with a choice of gourmet cheeses and toppings.

Leading directly off the hotel lobby, the striking venue is playfully designed in the same quirky style as its upscale namesake at the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, renowned amongst Tinseltown’s smart set for the ‘best burgers in Los Angeles’.

Plush designer interiors feature a long red, Murano glass-tiled bar, oversized leather winged-chairs, Tom Dixon-designed copper lighting, a silver gypsum ceiling and red floral print on satin wallpaper.

“25 Degrees truly adds to the hip and lively ‘arrival experience’ at Hotel G -- some guests may not know what to do first when entering the hotel lobby, check-in or order a cocktail!” said General Manager, Nikolaus Ellrodt. “It has a relaxed but sophisticated vibe where jeans and T-shirts blend with gourmet burgers, an impressive wine and champagne list, and funky music.” An integral part of the unique experience is choosing from ten unique artisan cheese toppings, from brie, goat cheese and cheddar to emmental, gorgonzola, mozzarella and Point Reyes blue.

Eleven additional topping choices for personalised ‘dream burgers’ include sautéed mushrooms, sauerkraut, jalapeno pepper, fried egg, sun dried tomato, green chili, bacon and Parma ham.

Completing the simple but sophisticated dining experience, a dozen signature dipping sauces including Dijon mustard, garlic aioli, lemon dill, garlic parmesan, tarragon remoulade, chipotle and BBQ, are complemented by unusual Asian variations such as Hainan black pepper, Kung Pao spicy and sesame ginger. These Asian sauces have been jointly created by the chefs in Los Angeles and Beijing, and will launch simultaneously on both sides of the Pacific.

Along with great burgers are, of course, great fries, cooked to crispy perfection and drizzled with truffle oil or seasoned with sea salt and thyme.

The extensive wine list highlights many handpicked New and Old World vintages, plus a range of champagne and sparkling wine, with many available as half-bottles (375ml) and jugs, which are exceptional value and rare in Beijing.

Serving 2–3 glasses rather than 4-5, half-bottles are designed to entice new wine enthusiasts, solo diners or adventurous groups looking to sample several different wines.

In addition to the classic American drinks such as chocolate, vanilla and strawberry milkshakes, whipped root beer, classic sodas, beer on tap, house specials are “G’s martini” and “Guinness milkshake”!

Music is hip and funky, from American hits from the 70s and 80s to latest house mixes, along with visiting DJs at weekends.

In true LA style, service is casual, friendly and fun, with waiters in T-shirts and jeans, leather aprons and ‘Doc Martin’s’ style combat boots.

Hotel G is operating 25 Degrees as a franchise of its LA counterpart, which is owned and operated by Tim and Liza Goodell of Domaine Restaurants, noted owners and creators of some of Southern California’s hottest dining destinations.

Apart from 25 Degrees, other landmark restaurants include Dakota, a classic steakhouse with a modern twist; French Californian bistro Troquet, South Coast Plaza’s finest luxury dining destination; and Red Pearl Kitchen in Hollywood, a downtown take on Southeast Asian cuisine and cocktails.

The 25 Degrees concept is also extending to Newport Beach California and Scottsdale Arizona.

About Hotel G Beijing Inspired by the retro chic of the 1960’s, the newly opened Hotel G Beijing is targeting a niche market of design-conscious, sophisticated young professionals, entrepreneurs, celebrities and socialites.

The 110-room hotel in Gong Ti Xi Lu neighbours a host of popular eateries and nightspots. Hotel G Beijing features three exciting, distinctive dining & entertainment venues which have been designed to attract the capital’s ‘social set’.

The first of an exclusive boutique hotel brand launched by Hong Kong-based real estate private equity management firm Gaw Capital, Hotel G is the flagship for a planned boutique hotel chain across China and Asia.

Gaw Capital is headed by real estate entrepreneur Goodwin Gaw, renowned for the recent US$24 million restoration of the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. His company also owns a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in North America and Asia.

 

3 months, 3 weeks ago

echoli

Best burgers in Los Angeles arrived in Beijing!

3 months, 3 weeks ago

terzel

Real good burgers and good service. Shame that the public has not yet found the place but I assume it is only a matter of time..... I had a burger with Manchego cheese, jalapenos and chiplote sauce and it was just great and.....filling... ;-)

 

3 months, 1 week ago

baobabs

One of the best vegetarian burgers I've had in a long while. Don't forget to try the Guinness Milkshake that might sound odd, but was perfect, more a milkshake with a sort of Guinness aftertaste.

 

2 months, 2 weeks ago

leemack

Awesome burger last night with a great side of fries sprinkled with thyme. The Guinness milkshake was as good as advertised. Not cheap--expect to pay RMB150-200 per person, but great food in a sexy environment.

 

2 months, 1 week ago

beijingjobs_org

I would not call the place hip or sexy, it's really so so. Not the best location. I would say the Burger would be ok, if it was about 50rmb, but for 150rmb I really don't think so. Even in Europe you'd rarely pay 15-20 euro for this sort of fair. The meat was a bit odd, like it did not really hold together. The toppings were skimpy at best. I'd love to find a great burger place in Beijing, but I know I need to keep looking. the soup was ok.

I don't think I'll go back and give it a 2nd try.

 

1 month, 3 weeks ago

preejith

good hotel

 

1 month, 3 weeks ago Updated See preejith's latest review »

preejith

very good restaurant

1 month, 3 weeks ago

preejith

good restaurant

 

1 month, 3 weeks ago

pjmooney

Well, as echolli does PR for 25 Degrees, one should take what she says with a grain of salt. I had a burger there the other day and it was tasteless and had hard pieces in it. Maybe that's because I was reluctant to spend 150 yuan for a hamburger and opted for the 80 yuan version, which at that price is still the most expensive in town. And this doesn't even include french fries, which cost a whopping 50 yuan (for a small order). The fries were tasteless and I assume they were frozen. The thyme and sea salt helped a bit, but if you're going to charge that much for fries, why not make fresh ones?

More important, the restaurant doesn't seem to have an idea about food or how to run a restaurant. The fries came first, as if the dish was some sort of appetiser. Doesn't the chef know that burgers and fries go together. We waited 20 minutes for the burgers to come and then the fries were cold and almost gone. The cheese was thrown on the burger after it was cooked, and so the cheese was not melted. Making matters worse, I asked for medium-well done, and the burger came partially uncooked inside.

My wife ordered the veggie burger, which turned out to be a huge wop of mashed potato, with specks of vegetables. Now who eats a slab of mashed potatos on a roll? What are they thinking? What "chef" thinks this is a veggie burger?

I can't believe that this place is connected to LA's 25 degrees. If it is, they better send a cook over who knows how to cook American food. I don't mind the high prices. But if you're going to charge that much, then make it the best burger in the world. I can name a half-dozen places around town that sell burgers for 40 yuan that surpass 25 Degrees. I won't be going back.

1 month, 2 weeks ago

joemama

really wanted a medium rare burger, my friend really wanted a rare burger, but we were dissuaded by the manager because the burgers are too thick. in the end, we got mediums, still delicious but still could have been better with medium rare. fries are not only a separate order, but very skimpy.

4 days, 9 hours ago