Caravan
Last month we had the absolute pleasure of celebrating the opening of a new restaurant called Caravan. The owner, Badr Benjelloun, has been involved in many kinds of ventures in Beijing, from organizing the once annual DAZEFeast showcase of local bands, to managing the online show at True Run Media (the parent company of beijing kids), to running a fun little hutong sports bar called Cuju. Since we live out in Changping, we don't get to enjoy his company or food as much as we would like.
The opening of Caravan, though, we wouldn't miss for the world. We even booked a hotel room so that we could stay as late as we wanted and not worry about trying to drive or missing the late train back to Changping.
More after the jump
It was a fantastic night. For a few hours we enjoyed free samples from the menu, mostly Moroccan flavors. At Badr's other restaurant Cuju, Myles discovered that he loves Moroccan food, so he was very excited going to Caravan for the lamb, which both he AND BRIGID liked. However, once he tried the Cajun chicken salad (Badr also has a taste for Louisiana cuisine) he only wanted that. Myles even hung around the kitchen door waiting for the next tray.
And just when I told him I thought he had enough, Badr appeared with a few more dishes of the chicken just for Myles. I lost count how much he ate.
For the vegetarians he had invited (like me, Randy, and my editor at beijing kids, Sisi), Badr specially made some of his black bean soup. It was so very good, and surprisingly subtle and delicately seasoned. I am used to heartier black bean soups, so it was a bit eye-opening that black beans could also taste like this.
Later, Brigid's favorite Beijing band, Madamoiselle et son Orchestre, was scheduled to play a free show for the opening. We first saw this band last year, at dazeFEAST, and Brigid immediately fell head over heels in love. And what's not to like? They play a crazy-danceable mix of French gypsy-jazz, both originals and standards.
"At dazeFEAST I got this close [holds her hands a few inches apart] to Mademoiselle!" she repeated on the way to Caravan that night. "Do you think I will get to meet her?"
It was getting late, nearing 10 pm, and the band had not yet arrived. Brigid had been so pumped to see Mademoiselle herself (Marie-Claude LeBel) that she was reluctant to leave. Just then, we saw the band enter, so we told Brigid we could stay for one or two songs.
She shyly went up to meet Marie-Claude. I think Marie-Claude was just as happy to have an actual little-girl fan.
The band did not take long to get set up, so Brigid got her two songs.
A week later, the kids and I returned to Caravan for lunch after a Bookworm Literary Festival event. I wanted to try more of the day-to-day menu.
Full disclosure--Badr is a friend, and I want his business to go well. I would probably say nice things about Caravan and the food anyway. However, I can only describe it in superlatives, and that has nothing to do with our friendship. It is really that incredible a place to eat and drink.
Like the hummus. In Badr's version it is a little heavier on the red pepper than I make myself, but that is what made it so good and not just another bowl of hummus. It wasn't something I could repeat at home without messing it up.
I also had another bowl of the soup, which was just as wonderful as the one I ate on opening night.
Brigid and I split this marinated carrot and potato salad. It was a surprise in texture and taste for me at every bite.
Myles devoured an entire order of the Cajun chicken.
Badr's girlfriend is Sicilian, so the desert menu includes imported gelato. This received Brigid's enthusiastic approval.
One of the things I love about Caravan is the care with which Badr stocked the bar. Limited by space and not wanting to discourage repeat customers with outrageous prices, he selected a great mix of liquors for standard and interesting cocktails. I have yet to try any at Caravan, but the drinks I have enjoyed at Cuju have been great, so I am sure at Caravan they are just as good.
My absolute favorite, though, is the wine list. He carries a Chinese (yes, Chinese) white (yes, white) wine I really like for the price, thanks to his introducing it to me when we first actually met. It is 1421 Silver Chardonnay and it is, unfortunately, difficult for regular consumers to buy. Many wine shops around Beijing don't stock it (and absolutely none in Changping last time I checked), even though it is a much-written about brand. In the meantime, I will just have to head down to Jianguomen and buy it at Caravan.
The opening of Caravan, though, we wouldn't miss for the world. We even booked a hotel room so that we could stay as late as we wanted and not worry about trying to drive or missing the late train back to Changping.
More after the jump
It was a fantastic night. For a few hours we enjoyed free samples from the menu, mostly Moroccan flavors. At Badr's other restaurant Cuju, Myles discovered that he loves Moroccan food, so he was very excited going to Caravan for the lamb, which both he AND BRIGID liked. However, once he tried the Cajun chicken salad (Badr also has a taste for Louisiana cuisine) he only wanted that. Myles even hung around the kitchen door waiting for the next tray.
And just when I told him I thought he had enough, Badr appeared with a few more dishes of the chicken just for Myles. I lost count how much he ate.
For the vegetarians he had invited (like me, Randy, and my editor at beijing kids, Sisi), Badr specially made some of his black bean soup. It was so very good, and surprisingly subtle and delicately seasoned. I am used to heartier black bean soups, so it was a bit eye-opening that black beans could also taste like this.
Later, Brigid's favorite Beijing band, Madamoiselle et son Orchestre, was scheduled to play a free show for the opening. We first saw this band last year, at dazeFEAST, and Brigid immediately fell head over heels in love. And what's not to like? They play a crazy-danceable mix of French gypsy-jazz, both originals and standards.
"At dazeFEAST I got this close [holds her hands a few inches apart] to Mademoiselle!" she repeated on the way to Caravan that night. "Do you think I will get to meet her?"
It was getting late, nearing 10 pm, and the band had not yet arrived. Brigid had been so pumped to see Mademoiselle herself (Marie-Claude LeBel) that she was reluctant to leave. Just then, we saw the band enter, so we told Brigid we could stay for one or two songs.
She shyly went up to meet Marie-Claude. I think Marie-Claude was just as happy to have an actual little-girl fan.
The band did not take long to get set up, so Brigid got her two songs.
A week later, the kids and I returned to Caravan for lunch after a Bookworm Literary Festival event. I wanted to try more of the day-to-day menu.
Full disclosure--Badr is a friend, and I want his business to go well. I would probably say nice things about Caravan and the food anyway. However, I can only describe it in superlatives, and that has nothing to do with our friendship. It is really that incredible a place to eat and drink.
Like the hummus. In Badr's version it is a little heavier on the red pepper than I make myself, but that is what made it so good and not just another bowl of hummus. It wasn't something I could repeat at home without messing it up.
I also had another bowl of the soup, which was just as wonderful as the one I ate on opening night.
Brigid and I split this marinated carrot and potato salad. It was a surprise in texture and taste for me at every bite.
Myles devoured an entire order of the Cajun chicken.
Badr's girlfriend is Sicilian, so the desert menu includes imported gelato. This received Brigid's enthusiastic approval.
One of the things I love about Caravan is the care with which Badr stocked the bar. Limited by space and not wanting to discourage repeat customers with outrageous prices, he selected a great mix of liquors for standard and interesting cocktails. I have yet to try any at Caravan, but the drinks I have enjoyed at Cuju have been great, so I am sure at Caravan they are just as good.
My absolute favorite, though, is the wine list. He carries a Chinese (yes, Chinese) white (yes, white) wine I really like for the price, thanks to his introducing it to me when we first actually met. It is 1421 Silver Chardonnay and it is, unfortunately, difficult for regular consumers to buy. Many wine shops around Beijing don't stock it (and absolutely none in Changping last time I checked), even though it is a much-written about brand. In the meantime, I will just have to head down to Jianguomen and buy it at Caravan.
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