Life in the city

Another well-attended LPS Beijing event in Legendale Hotel

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I was invited so many times that ended up going… To see how this overseas luxury property exhibition was doing now. I attended one of the very first ones, many years ago. Unfortunately I have still to earn more millions to be shopping in that exhibition…
For sure, now more popular than ever and the official VIP opening on 24 April was crowded, with many familiar faces.

The hotel is also, well, “different”. Luxury that does not please the taste of everyone.
I made a quick round in the exhibition, the only stand of my interest was Portugal – a destination well regarded by retirees.
I did not see a Belgian stand, or I missed it.

Nightclub V+ inside outside

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On Friday 24 April, other evening with Internations, this time in the classy club V+ on Gongti Dong Lu (China View Building). But first a nice bowl of noodles, downstairs at JinShiSong.
The bar may be classy but I do not like it that much for networking: rather dark, many isolated corners, making it more difficult to mingle with people. Drinks are also rather pricey, 50 RMB for a big glass with little red wine.

The view is nice though, Worker’s Stadium, Gongti Bei Lu and the buildings on Gongti Xi Lu. The reflection in the windows make it a bit hard to shoot good pictures.
I did not stay that long so the Internations photographer had not started yet to make his/her rounds.

Home Plate BBQ and EventBank

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I discovered Home Plate through a social event of Rotaract and it was a pleasant surprise. A bit hidden in the no-name compound where The Bookworm is located, you actually need to look for the sign of The Loft – the restaurant does not exist anymore and for some obscure reasons the management of the compound does not want to remove it.
My favorite dishes are the Pulled Pork Plate and (a bit more modest in size) the Pulled Pork Sandwich. They have a range of home-brewed ales. And several American souces. You need to ask the waiter for the “day list” of beers hidden in his pocket if you want to discover an off-the menu beer.

During a previous evening, 10 April,  I met the owner, Victoria Rong, sitting on the right in the picture. Very friendly and modest, at first I thought she was an extra waiter… Good management I call it.
On 27 April thanks to my friend Kyle I took part in the EventBank Pre-Launch Dinner & Networking. Too much food, lots of beers. Interesting presentation by the CEO, Eric L. Schmidt.
See their website: www.eventbank.com
They offer some interesting solutions for companies organizing events.
As it happened, many familiar faces. Beijing can be a small world.

SwissTaste: Global Launch Event

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Peter Troesch kindly invited me to the event to mark to opening of their SwissTaste restaurant bar, deli concept.
It took place on Saturday 18 April, in Central Park (CBD), close to The Place where my gym is (California Fitness). Actually I knew that corner, previously a coffee shop I visited several times.

 

Colorful event, several friends I knew. German music and performances, speeches by Peter, the ambassador and Asia Correspondent of Ringier, an Old China Hand: Peter Achten Tetmajer von Przerwa (I hope I got that right!).
I am looking forward to test Peter’s dishes as I love Swiss cuisine, roesti potatoes and more.
Peter has a long track record in China, also with Swisscham (I was a member for many years).

InterNations Beijing – A Dazzling Night at Tadka

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On Friday 17 April I finally made it again to an Internations event, in TADKA, the bar of the Marriott Northeast Hotel (Xiao Yun Road).

I guess some 150 people attended, some I knew had registered but did not turn up. Too bad because the hotel is nice and so is the bar. And of course the people… That is what Internations events are all about!