beijingkids's Reviews

We had our baby there a year ago this month, and while the price for the delivery and postnatal care was relatively inexpensive (all in all, we spent less than RMB 17,000, not counting prenatal), we found the nursing approach to be less than up to date (they basically left us in the room with our baby swaddled with little to no instruction, much less encouragement of breastfeeding).

The prenatal doctor we had was nice, but overworked (we typically waited at least an hour to an hour and a half to see her, and this was in the foreigner wing - shortest consultation time: literally 1.5 min), and we were even told by a previous doctor that we had to get an abortion when my wife told her she had gotten a chest x-ray shortly after we got pregnant (and before we knew) - an absolutely ludricous suggestion that makes me fume to this day.

My wife also found the operating doctors's bedside manner to be distressingly blase (one of the comments she overheard was one of them bitching about how her labor was cutting into their nightshift).

Problems aside, our baby is now healthy and happy, thank god for that.

Don't expect any five star treatment here - you get bare bones, albeit (semi)competent care.

We had our baby their a year ago this month, and while the price for the delivery and postnatal care was relatively inexpensive (all in all, we spent less than RMB 17,000, not counting prenatal), we found the nursing approach to be less than up to date (they basically left us in the room with our baby swaddled with little to no instruction, much less encouragement of breastfeeding).

The prenatal doctor we had was nice, but overworked (we typically waited at least an hour to an hour and a half to see her, and this was in the foreigner wing - shortest consultation time: literally 1.5 min), and we were even told by a previous doctor that we had to get an abortion when my wife told her she had gotten a chest x-ray shortly after we got pregnant (and before we knew) - an absolutely ludricous suggestion that makes me fume to this day.

My wife also found the operating doctors's bedside manner to be distressingly blase (one of the comments she overheard was one of them bitching about how her labor was cutting into their nightshift).

Problems aside, our baby is now healthy and happy, thank god for that.

Don't expect any five star treatment here - you get bare bones, albeit (semi)competent care.

Their cakes (smallest size, plain chocolate RMB 138) may seem a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for: nice,quality moist, rich chocolate cake goodness, consistently prepared and neatly packaged. I get one for my family everytime we have a special occasion and it is always a hit.

We like to eat at Lemongrass, which is located next to the western wing of China World Mall. The restaurant makes very good Indian and Thai food. Alina likes going to here because the staff are very friendly. Every time we take her, they are very helpful and welcoming, and things like that make a big difference for families like us with a young child.

Xia Anchi (5), who is Chinese, loves to eat at Grand Mansion Chinese Restaurant.

Grand Mansion Chinese Restaurant is my favorite place for dinner. It has stylish Chinese traditional decor with many red lanterns, and the wait staff are all dressed in traditional clothes, which makes me feel like I’m having dinner in the past. Besides the delicious dishes, I also enjoy the traditional performances that take place over dinner: Beijing opera, magic shows, kung fu and traditional Chinese cross-talk, all which keep me entertained while eating!

When we arrived from Shanghai, we wanted to find a fun local hangout for our little munchkin. Two-year-old Ivory is our top priority! We found a place called Fundazzle, which is located in the Workers’ Stadium. It’s a really safe, fun and interactive place for young kids to spend the better half of a day, and the kid in the adult will have fun, too. They have a big color ball pit, a huge jungle gym, story time, interactive games and a free learning session for the kids where they teach language and math in a very fun way. They have good facilities and Ivory loves going there.

Casa Mia is a nice Italian restaurant that we usually go to on weekends. We like the sociable and pleasant atmosphere created by Stefano, the owner, who likes to mix with the customers. It's very homey place! Stefano comes from the same place as our father (Modena, Italy), which is also the hometown of the distinguished tenor Luciano Pavarotti. We really like the authentic northern Italian cuisine at Casa Mia, and the restaurant is often used for kids’ birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tucked away in a small alley off Sanlitun lies Nali Mall, my favorite shopping retreat. Just a five-minute walk east from Yashow Market, the lesser-known Nali is the perfect place to head to when you’re in need of some serious retail therapy. The small, boutique-like stores are a welcome break from the hard bargaining shopkeepers found in the larger markets, and the items – although pricier – are similar to ones you would see in popular magazines. Although it’s not particularly big, the stores are well stocked with the latest fashions, and once you become a regular, shopkeepers aren’t hesitant to shave a few RMB off the price here and there. All this makes Nali my favorite place to shop in Beijing.

Great selection of kids book, with an adorable little table for kids to read at! However, books are NOT CHEAP!

2008 tbjkids Family Friendly Restaurants Review

For families hankering after a taste of the USA, American Cafe offers fun diner-style food at a decent price. Despite being aimed more at older children and adults, American Cafe offers a great kids’ menu and provides everything needed for little ones to indulge their own culinary American dream. Combine this with diligent English-speaking staff and satellite TV and you have a good choice for a family meal in the heart of the CBD.