Crescent Moon Still Serves up a mean xinjiang, now with smiles too
Between flying around continents, going to shows and just generally being too busy to get stuff done, I haven’t had time to spend time going around checking out restaurants, much less writing about them.. until last week that is when a few out-of-towners came around. A healthy craving for chuan’r and not enough time to head over to the Kashgar Representative Restaurant was the perfect excuse to hit old favorite, Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant over on Dong Si Liu Tiao.
I’ve written about the food there extensively before and I’ve enjoyed every single one of my visit to the establishment ran by the “Chinese Al Pacino”… this latest one was no exception! The chuan’r was as big and tender as ever. The chao mian pian’r was delish and so were all the dishes we ordered that evening from the Naan to kao baozi. The only dish that was slightly below par on this latest visit was the roasted leg of lamb as it came slightly overcooked for my taste.
Of course, no visit to Crescent Moon would be complete without their homemade unsweetened yogurt that is just a joy to eat on its own, spread over naan or dip some cucumbers in.
The big surprise on this particular visit didn’t come from the food but the staff: There were actually smiles on their faces! I don’t know if it was due to my being an old familiar face or due to some sort of attitude adjustment but I was a surprising and most definitely welcome development given that the place used to be as notorious for their frowns as they were for their dishes.
Now, I’ve had my share of noodles and meat on a stick on four continents and plenty of provinces and still consider this one of the better places in Beijing to get your fix of roasted lamb goodness… and now that it comes with a smile, it tastes even better.
Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant (弯弯月亮):
16 Dongsiliutiao (just off Dongsi Bei Dajie), Dongcheng District. 东城区东四六条16号（东四北大街附近).Crescent moon on : The Beijinger , Cityweekend , dianping
Previous Beijing Daze writeup:
http://beijingdaze.com/food/2009/04/13/roasted-sheep/
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Hmm, I was there only a few weeks ago and it seemed sullen. But maybe as you say they’re starting to recognise you!
There’s a Xinjiang restaurant in Tianjin which is probably my favourite in all of China. Great food but wonderful service – bellydancers and the lute-like instrument.
Hey Mike,
It’s quite possible that they’re indeed recognizing me finally… I’ve only been eating there for a few years now so maybe it is about time.
that said, the smiles did surprise me.. not used to them over there
Salut Badr,
J’espère que tu vas bien,
Si tu passe dans le coin du Crescent Moon a dongsiliutiao, téléphone moi, j’habite juste a cote on peut boire un pot ensemble..
A plus
Pierre
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