Ahead of the Curve: Beijing's Curvy Corridor Courtyard is a teahouse with a difference
Daniel Allen
It may have a name that twists the tongue, but patrons of Beijing's Curvy Corridor Courtyard rarely complain about getting more than a mouthful.
Opened in 2015, this exquisite modern art gallery-cum-teahouse-cum high-end eatery is a true feast for the senses, setting a new standard for refined consumption in the Chinese capital.
Location
Located in a hutong neighbourhood in bustling Dongcheng District, the Curvy Corridor Courtyard's unassuming grey brick exterior gives no hint to what lies within.
The minimalist interior, however, skillfully created from the amalgamation of five Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) hutong residences, provides a stunning canvas for both food and art, with wooden beams, bamboo plants and serpentine glass walls. The owner - an art connoisseur - periodically displays the works of contemporary artists.
Menu
The menu at the Curvy Courtyard Corridor boasts equally fine attention to detail. There's a wide selection of Chinese teas, dispensed from antique metal teapots into delicate porcelain cups.
The ten-course menu (diners can also order à la carte), based on seasonally available ingredients, is the handiwork of renowned chef Jin Xin (the supremely tender beef carpaccio is a particular highlight).
There's also an extensive wine list, which includes vintage from France, Italy and Spain, as well as more local varieties.
"In China we have a saying that where you eat matters as much as what you eat," says the Curvy Corridor Courtyard's public relations manager Du Fei. "We aim to tick both boxes here."
Access - Getting There
Curvy Corridor Courtyard
25 Dongsishiyitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 8403 8229
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