Front door of No 44 Private Kitchen.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Tables made from big, red drums.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Standing between Shicha Lake and Xihai Lake, No 44 Private Kitchen is featured with its creative dishes, the environment of courtyard dwellings and location in one of Beijing's most recognizable symbols - the Hutong. The owner of the restaurant Huang Zhen, the mother of a 16-month little girl, said she enjoys cooking and considers it as a process of creation.

Going into the courtyard, customers will feel the rhythm of life slow down. Two tables made from big, red drums attract customers' attention. A grape trellis stands above the tables so a green yard can be expected in summer next year. It is difficult to figure out which style the private restaurant belongs to and define which cuisine its dishes are from. Huang said the food doesn't belong to any cuisine – most of them are created herself when she was living in Australia. That's why it is named "private kitchen".

One of its recommended specialties is fish in sour soup. Different from what it is in other restaurants, the sour soup is made from tomatoes after 15 days of fermentation, and no water is added to the soup. It is so spicy that one might want to complain to the waitresses because of the taste, but after a few minutes, one will find the lasting taste in your mouth is fragrant and charming.

The restaurant also boasts its food materials. All of the condiments, including Sichuan pepper and chili, come from Sichuan province. The kitchen of the restaurant is as clean as any in a common family. Huang said she aims to make customers feel at home in every detail – clean, safe and delicious food, nice service and decorations in every corner. "You may not be able to find expensive food materials here, such as lobster or crab, but you will feel satisfied eating here." Huang's daughter also eats at the restaurant, using the same food materials as the customers.

Asked about why she creates such courtyard dwellings in a private kitchen, Huang explained she became fond of cooking when she was abroad and gradually realized the process of creation is attractive. Most of the people in China are used to going for a walk after a meal, especially dinner, to help digestion. That was the main reason for choosing the location. She hopes customers will have a comfortable meal and then go for a walk beside Shicha Lake, which will make them feel more at home. "I have watched a TV program and the host said cooking is fun, cooking is simple and cooking is enjoyable. I couldn't agree more." Maybe we should thank the host, otherwise we may lose such enjoyment.

IF YOU GO:

No 70, Deshengmennei Street, Xicheng district, Beijing

Tel: 010-64001280