Lamdre in Beijing is the 2024 recipient of the coveted American Express One To Watch Award.
This accolade is determined by the organisers of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in partnership with its regional advisers and recognises restaurants that demonstrate the gastronomic excellence, innovation and culinary potential to break into Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking in future years.
Launched in December 2022, Lamdre draws inspiration from the Tibetan Buddhist meditative system it is named after and embodies owner Zhao Jia’s culinary philosophy of deliciousness, nature and sustainability.
Its seasonal vegetarian cuisine is curated by veteran chef Dai Jun.
Nestled in a serene corner of Sanlitun, Beijing, the contemporary restaurant has become a gastronomic mecca in just a little over one year. With a steadfast commitment to honouring ingredients and elevating produce, Lamdre offers a revelatory and novel plant-based dining experience.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “The dining experience at Lamdre is exquisite – from the serene ambience to the refined dishes that pay homage to nature’s abundance. Chef Dai and Zhao Jia have introduced a concept that is refreshingly distinct and this accolade is well deserved.”
Lamdre focuses on dishes unrestricted by cuisine and regional boundaries, taking inspiration from the earth and the sea. The culinary team’s commitment to sourcing the freshest, most seasonal ingredients and presenting them to reflect the ‘pure essence of food’ results in dishes that are stripped of excess refinement, showcasing the natural beauty of each ingredient.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Lamdre’s ethos, advocating for conscientious gastronomy that prioritises environmental wellbeing. Working in collaboration with independent farmers across China, the restaurant curates the freshest and finest wild ingredients such as pumpkin, ginkgo nuts, taro, kohlrabi and more.
While seasonality is its key sustainable practice, the kitchen also actively promotes recycling and minimises energy and resources. In alignment with its green philosophy, the restaurant’s wine selection exclusively features natural, biodynamic and organic wines, alongside small-batch Chinese rice wines such as a custom-made, altar-brewed rice wine made from Jianhu lake water, produced in Shaoxing, Zhejiang.
On winning the award, Lamdre owner Zhao Jia says: “We are deeply humbled and honoured to receive the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants American Express One To Watch Award. We extend our deepest gratitude to the organisation, to the guests for their love and support, and to all our team members for their dedication and hard work.
We are equally grateful for the abundant plant-based ingredients nurtured by this land. Encouraged by this, we are determined to adhere to the principles of operating a healthy and sustainable restaurant, showcasing the power of nature and the rich and captivating flavours of the Eastern plant world.”
The kitchens at Lamdre are helmed by Chef Dai Jun, who brings 30 years of culinary mastery to the menus, including more than a decade perfecting plant-based cuisine. Chef Dai’s culinary finesse prioritises simplicity and spotlights the intrinsic flavours of ingredients, evident in dishes such as the Thumb Eggplant, Black Sesame Paste and Green Sichuan Pepper, which uses kōchi thumb eggplants during their peak, marinating them in refreshing vinegar juice, served dipped in black sesame ‘ink’.
The signature dish of Tofu, Rice, Konbu and Soy Sauce boasts exquisitely harmonious flavours, deftly navigating the rhythm of the seasons through precise cooking techniques and a deep connection with tradition and culture.
The dining experience at Lamdre extends beyond its dishes to the ambience, visual presentation and immersive atmosphere. The restaurant interiors radiate a sense of secluded simplicity, offering a retreat within the bustling city of Beijing.
Lamdre joins the line-up of previous One To Watch Award winners in Asia, including Florilège in Tokyo (2016), TocToc in Seoul (2017), Toyo Eatery in Manila (2018), JL Studio in Taichung (2019), Masque in Mumbai (2020), Meta in Singapore (2021), Eat & Cook in Kuala Lumpur (2022) and most recently August in Jakarta (2023).
Lamdre will be further celebrated at the in-person awards ceremony held on 26 March 2024 in Seoul, South Korea, in collaboration with host destination partner Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will also be livestreamed on 50 Best’s Facebook and YouTube channels, starting at 20:00 KST on 26 March (11:00am on 26 March GMT).
Source — https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com
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