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Romantic Restaurants Beijing – Dr. Love’s Recommended Restaurants for First DateRomantic Restaurants Beijing – Whoooha! It has been a while since Ihave written anything for Beijing-China-Guide.com. I heard from thewebmaster that some of you have been asking for info on RomanticRestaurants in Beijing. Well, I will take some time from my skirt-chasing and give you some of my recommended choices. Romantic Restaurants Beijing: Vineyard Cafe VineyardCafe is located in Wudaoying Hutong, around the corner from the LamaTemple. It is, at least to me, one of the hippest restaurant/bar to beseen in BJ. Formerly, a courtyard home, it has been remodelled by theBritish owner (a friend of mine -I bring my dates often enough), “Sir”Will Yorke. In Vineyard Cafe, it’s packed most nights with "Lao Wai" (expatriates) who love their pizzas and foreign imported drinks here. As for music, it ranges from British pop stuff to MOR rock/pop. But, is it ROMANTIC? Well, it is but not your usual candle-light/ champagne 4-course meal way. 
Let me explain my rationale.If you are bringing a local Chinese girl (especially fresh undergraduates – my favourite picks!) who has not been exposed much to eating Western food (besides McDonald’s and KFC) and Western dining etiquette, she will feel uneasy. It makes it even worse if it’s your first date with her! I want my date to feel really comfortable. She could eat with her hands (munching delicious pizza and other finger-food) and not worry about which spoon to use as compared to a proper Western restaurant. The best thing is the staff are very friendly and Sir Yorke comes to my table and chat with us, making me and her feel special. As for the other patrons there, they dress and behave well (not always) and are pretty hip bunch. Most of the time, I break the ice with my date by poking fun at what the other customers are wearing. There are many interesting people here and so you have many things to talk about. Most importantly, at Vineyard Cafe my date and I can have a relaxed and romantic time together. It’s also much easier to be physical (very lightly and in a playful manner, please!) with her in Vineyard Cafe than in a strait-laced proper Western Restaurant (read: THE COURTYARD and a place I will avoid - snotty little place!) with uptight customers looking at your table whenever you laugh a little louder than usual. Impressing a girl is one thing but making her feel inadequate because of some traditional dining etiquette on the first date is another. I learnt my lesson when I brought a Chinese girl to a proper Western restaurant in my earlier days courting. She had a hard time eating and felt embarrassed. And after the meal, she wanted to go home early. Sucks! Whenever I bring a lady for our first date to Vineyard Cafe, we usually end up later at my place or hers. I am not sure what kind of aphrodisiac Sir Yorke has put in his food or drinks – just continue doing so! Thus, the idea of ROMANCE has changed for me in China. The romantic candle-light dinner is good but hitting second base (or at times, third base) is even better. I say this very often in my Beijing Dating Workshops 101 Anyway, how’s the food at Vineyard Cafe? I am not sure…I must have been visualizing what I will have for “dessert” after the meal.Salute, my honourable Sir Will Yorke! Address: 31 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District; Tel: (011-86-10) 6402-7961 Website: http://www.vineyardcafe.cn Click for a Review of a Traditional Romantic Restaurant in Beijing Return from Romantic Restaurants Beijing to Beijing Restaurant Guide
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