Beijing has introduced me to the concept of restaurant as historical artifact.

Liu Zhai Shi Fu means “Liu House Cuisine.” There’s a plaque in the entrance hallway and a kind of dusty feel that makes you suspect that time here stopped in the Qing Dynasty.

In fact, the Liu family has lived in the courtyard for over a hundred years (they opened the restaurant a decade or so back).

We stopped in for a cup of jasmine tea.

We’re planning on going to eat soon. To quote Haw Berries & Kumquats,

Their mastery of simple dishes like cold cucumber or fried eggs and wood ear is mesmerizing.

Liu Zhai Shi Fu/刘宅食府

8 Jiangjia Dayuan Hutong, off Meishuguan Dongjie. Opposite the Sanlian bookstore.
东城区美术馆东街蒋家大院胡同8号(三联书店对面)

Open 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.