New Lunch Spot Sproutworks in China World Mall a Disappointment
During our latest visit to China World Mall, in what has become a near daily outing to Guomao for us as we try to keep a grasp on all the new restaurants opening, we visited Sproutworks, a Shanghai-import (with five locations) with a focus on healthy salads, soups, gourmet paninis, and fresh juices.
Back to school
This canteen-style restaurant has laid out a little like a fast food restaurant with a half-open dining area and several wooden tables for seating. Think back to your school cafeteria and then put a gourmet spin on it for a not too dissimilar effect. Line up in front of the counter, tell the lunch lady what you'd like, pay at the cashier, and then find a seat in the dining area.
For close to RMB 80, is Sproutworks truly worth it?
Choices are somewhat similar to Wagas but with more of a Chinese twist. The weekday lunch sets (11am-2pm) don't come cheap, and will set you back RMB 70 for half a salad, two sides or a meat, and a drink; RMB 75 for two sides, meat, and a juice; RMB 80 for a brown rice bowl or panini, sides, and a drink.
For the price, the kale salad was suitably invigorating with a base of crunchy kale leaves topped with pine seeds, sweetened cranberries, and orange zest. However, what should have been a palate cleanser actually turned out to be the best dish since the stewed vegetables – chickpeas, pumpkin, tomato, and a pinch of cilantro – was tepid at best and not only looked disappointing but had an equally as bland a flavor. The grilled salmon, which looked moist but was actually overcooked and quite dry, also deceived us.
The only relief from the meal was that we visited during China World Mall's half-price opening promotion, which has sadly already passed – paying full price for this food would be hard to swallow. We appreciate the healthy concept, and let's hope that these are just teething problems because from our experience the Shanghai branches are far superior. Saying that, this is quite the dismal start for Sproutworks Beijing and we can't imagine that there'll be many people who opt for an RMB 80 salad over some of the much more enticing options nearby.
Sproutworks
Daily 10am-10pm. NL4022, 4/F, North Zone, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (8595 0278)
豆苗工坊：朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区4楼NL4022
Photos: Tracy Wang, Dianping
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