Purple Bodhi Restaurant's Yansha branch was a pleasant surprise: The food quality is excellent, and presentation is creative. Owner Ms Yang has been an insider on Beijing's dining scene, and is behind the designs of several high-end restaurants in Beijing. This is the first restaurant she has operated herself, and one can see that she has put on the menu a collection of her favorite foods.

We started with a soup of purple mashed yam and golden mashed pumpkin. The soup was not only beautiful, but the two colorful ingredients were also arranged in the shape of a tai chi symbol.

That was followed by a combo salmon salad plate, with as many as eight different vegetables. This is a dish said to have originated in Singapore. It is traditionally served during the Chinese New Year, and everybody is supposed to mix and season ingredients in the salad, while making wishes for the coming year. It was a treat for both the eyes and the tongue.

One appetizer had a fresh combination of walnut kernel, spinach roll, and Shanghai style porous bean curd. The Hainan chicken was said to have gone through a special process and tasted super soft, served with three sauces - red chili, soy bean and mashed garlic. A tasty "three cup" trio of fried squid ring, crunchy lettuce chop, and plump mushroom combined tasty sauces with healthy and fresh ingredients. The three cups refer to three ingredients - sugar, yellow rice wine, and soy sauce, which give the dish rich flavors.

The eatery's boiled fish slices in spicy soup came with fresh chili, and clear soup, and were not as greasy as other places. Finally, braised beef with bone, and fried beef fillet were both tender and tasty.

A must-try dessert is a colorful mashed yam cup with golden tangerine sauce and red blueberry sauce. It was both beautiful, tasty and healthy. The restaurant also serves a mashed yam juice, and a tangerine with roselle drink.

Located on the ground floor of Somerset Apartment, the restaurant is decorated in a modern and elegant manner. There are soft-cushioned chairs and sofas. The manager said she had yet to improve service and hardware. Average spending is 80-200 yuan ($11.7-29) per person.

Daily 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5-10:30 pm. 2-5 pm is afternoon tea time. 1/F Somerset Apartment, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district. Second traffic light east of Yanshaqiao on East Third Ring Road. Tel: 8440-1855.

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