Why the NEW Beyond Yakitori Is Perfect for Date Night

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When I was visiting Harbin last month, I discovered that one of my favorite restaurants was copied! The concept, logo, and even some menu items were exactly that of Beyond Yakitori – one of my favorite places in Beijing to hit up for some low-key excellent Japanese food.

The Beyond Yakitori knockoff in Harbin

While they can COPY what they admire, they’ll never be as good as the real Beyond Yakitori.

Beyond Yakitori first opened up in Topwin Center in Sanlitun, where the small restaurant offered an excellent menu of yakitori and their famous Scotch egg, along with an extensive selection of sake. It was a casual dinner restaurant where you can hang out with friends, be loud, and get whiffs of the freshly grilled meats coming from the kitchen.

But they’ve upgraded! Beyond Yakitori has moved locations and their new place is fancier, much more exclusive, and has turned itself into a perfect date night restaurant.

The NEW Beyond Yakitori

The new place no longer broadcasts itself with big signs. Instead, their name is written so small that unless you know where you’re going, you’re likely to miss the entrance all together. And that’s by design. The new Beyond Yakitori exclusively seats fewer than 20 guests around an open kitchen, and believe me when I say that it’s not going to be easy getting a seat without a reservation.

From handwritten welcome cards to an attentive service that includes explaining each dish and even sharing stories and laughs with you, they’ve upgraded their concept to further immerse guests in their dining experience.

This new location is a great date night place for a number of reasons. First, you’re seated around the kitchen, so you get the entertainment of watching the chefs at work while you dine. Now I’m not saying assuming that anyone’s awkward with their partners the same way they might be on a first date, but sometimes, no matter how long you’ve been together, silences can still be awkward. Having a chef cook stuff in front of you somehow just takes that all away. Second, your food arrives one at a time and it’s like opening presents! Throughout the meal you’re constantly surprised with the next dish coming off the grill. And finally, you get to sit next to your partner! When given the option to sit across from or next to my husband, I always prefer to sit next to him, even if it’s just the two of us.

Now, let’s talk about the menu. The menu stayed similar, but they’ve added some beautiful new dishes. While you won’t find a single sushi roll on the menu, you’ll be pleasantly satisfied with the variety of grilled meats and fresh seafood items available.

Find it:
Beyond Yakitori·美醉堂
No. 1, Bungalow on the south side of Bldg 2, Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路新源西里中街2号楼南侧平房1号
Tel: [phone]

Want more dining recommendations? Add TBJButler on WeChat and ask to be added to the FamFriendlyEats group for family-friendly dining options and New Eats for new restaurant openings all over Beijing. 

Images: Mina Yan

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