Fanier's blueberry pancakes. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Talking about the bigger picture, Huang, the long-term industry observer, believes that middle-range non-Chinese restaurants like Fanier will enjoy a steady growth in China's future.

"Chinese food will always be the mainstream, but customers need varieties, especially in such international city as Beijing," he said. "China has become the first outbound tourism country. As more Chinese travel abroad, and more oversea returnee work in Chinese cities, they will look for foreign food with good quality and reasonable prices."