Xiang E Qing, a restaurant known for its elegant presentation of Hunan and Hubei food, has opened a new branch to the east of Dongsishitiao Qiao on Eastern Second Ring Road. The five-floor restaurant has 10 tables in a public hall on the 2nd floor, and more than 30 private rooms from the 3rd to 5th floors. These each have comfortable couches, a big-screen TV with karaoke and a piano where you can pay to have a piano player during your meal.

The fragrant dry-pot long-snout catfish is exceedingly tender, albeit a bit spicy with red chili and soup. Although it sounds a bit strange, spicy dry-pot shredded donkey meat is unexpectedly delicious. Boiled sheldrake in soup and You County nutritious tofu are both worth a try.

The restaurant has also created a special new way to prepare high-quality abalone wrapped with kelp and baked inside salt shell. The result is surprising when you crack its hard salt shell, unfold the kelp wrapping and find that soft, elastic abalone. There is also braised sea cucumber with millet, sautéed French goose liver, and prepare cod with saffron.

The average meal costs 200-500 yuan per person.

10:30am-2pm, 4:30-10pm.

16 Wangjiayuan Hutong, to the southeast of Dongsishitiao Qiao on East Second Ring Road.

010-6554-8777

(China Daily November 10, 2008)