From Suzhou to Gansu A Delicious Journey to the West
my
suzhou
JAMES BROWN
The Hardest Working Man in Bar Business Interview by Ned Kelly
Born and raised in Canada, James Brown graduated with an International Hotel Management degree, and hotel work brought him over to China. After working front office of hotels for a few years, he drifted back to his true passion, food and beverage (as well as quizzes and Camelympics), and can now be found heading up The Camel Sports Bar.
How long have you been in China? I have been in China for a total of seven years, first in Fuzhou, then Hangzhou, and for the past three years in Suzhou. So I can tell you that Su is not just your average Zhou. For people who have not been to The Camel, what can they expect? Sports! On our many TV screens we show sports from nearly every continent. But in addition to that, we have many Aussie-inspired items on our Western-style food menu. Not to mention a large variety of beers to choose from both on tap and in bottles. Oh, and shots of delicious, ice cold, Fireball. What about this famous Quiz Night? Quiz Night is probably my favorite night of the week. I have a lot of fun reading the questions and hearing feedback from contestants, which helps inspire me to write new unique categories. The quiz runs from 8pm to around 10pm, and covers different subject matter from movies and music to current events. And there are plenty of prizes on offer, of course.
Tell us about the upcoming Camelympic Games… The Camelympics is a series of pub games played over five Saturdays in May and June. Teams compete in five events (Shuffleboard, Darts, Foosball, Pool and Golden Tee golf), with bronze, silver and gold medals awarded for each event. Points are given for each medal won and the team with the most points at the end wins the trophy, a keg of beer to share and a steak dinner each. The Games were tons of fun for the last two years, and we get to help the Suzhou Animal Welfare Club at the same time. Anyone interested in joining or getting more info can come see me in The Camel. You can make your own team, or sign up as an individual and I will find a team for you. What other nights should people know about? We have something going on basically every night of the week, but the ones that stand out are the pool competitions (Wednesday is 9ball and Sunday is 8ball) which are always followed by a game of Killer. Thursday is chicken wing night, and you really should try
our half roast chicken on Sundays. Fridays are devoted to partying and Saturdays are big sports nights. And we often show UFC fights on Sunday mornings. What is your philosophy in running the bar? The new customers I get to meet and the regular customers that have become my friends. They inspire to make The Camel as good as it possibly can be. I love putting on special events that make The Camel unique. When a new customer comes in and I meet them, hear their back story and introduce them to the bar, it makes me proud when I see them again. I try to make a point to learn their name in an effort to show them that they are not only a customer to me, but also a part of the Suzhou community. The Camel Sports Bar B1, Hengyu Plaza, 188 Xinghai Jie, SIP 苏州工业园区星海街188号恒宇 广场一 期富邦华一银行地下一楼 ( 512 6547 9759)
www.thatsmags.com | May 2018 | 1
Ne w A r r i va l s
New York Style Pizza Like How They Do It in the Big Apple By Tess Humphrys
The Place Since New York Style Pizza opened in The Summit last year, it’s been vying for the title of top pie in town. Its thin-crust Big Applestyle pizzas are fresh and good value for money, so can its second joint at iStation continue to deliver the quality we’ve come to expect?
The Food In order to sample a range of items on offer, we ordered a bunch of individual slices (RMB19 each) instead of the whole pie. Crispy and tasty even after being reheated in the oven, the topping-to-crust ratio was generous, with the overload of meat on the Porko slice being a particular standout. Where the slices come into their own is as part of the good-value lunch specials (starts from RMB26) that offer various combinations of pizza slices, sides and a soft drink. Sides are also available separately for RMB29 each. Crispy mozzarella cheese sticks are accompanied by a subtle tomato salsa that tasted bland at first bite, but actually served as a fresh counterbalance to the sticks
2 | May 2018 | www.thatsmags.com
themselves. Elsewhere, the sweet potato fries were crunchy but lacked seasoning, while a strawberry milkshake (RMB28) fell flat on flavors, too. Rounding things off, the chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream (RMB25) was rich, but not overly sweet, and was large enough to be shared between two people.
The Vibe The loft-style restaurant takes up a small space above iStation shopping mall, in front of the Arts and Culture Centre. It feels a bit out of the way, but could be a decent place for a quick pre-show meal. While the food on offer is not outstanding, it is still a reliable place for pizza. And, of course, you can always enjoy the pies from the comfort of your home by ordering delivery via their WeChat account. Shop 3, Floor 1, iStation, 688 Suzhou Dadao Dong, SIP 苏州大道东688号文博广场1楼3号铺 (512 6288 7097)
Ne w A r r i va l s
Xibu Manfu Lou Deliciously Authentic Gansu-style Noodles By Tess Humphrys
The Place Sometimes a meal can transport you back to specific places and the Western China-style noodles at Xibu Manfu Lou (西部满福楼) bring us straight back to our adventures in Gansu, right from Suzhou’s Xietang Old Street.
The Food We dived straight into a bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles (兰州牛肉面, RMB32) and its beautiful aroma. Garnished with the vivid colors of chili oil and fresh coriander, the tender beef became softer the longer it lingered in the broth, while the handmade noodles could easily pass for those we’d wolfed down on the streets of Lanzhou. Served as part of a set meal, the noodles came with some wonderfully zingy picked vegetables and a spicy marinated egg, which were nice accompaniments to the dish. The Lanzhou fried noodles (兰州炒面, RMB28) were doused in a rich tomato sauce and topped with crunchy garlic shoots, sweet red onions and soft beef. Again, eating them reminded us of Gansu’s delicious dry noodles. The accompanying broth was delightful in its own right, the perfect palate cleanser to its mild spiciness. (Those with a higher spice tolerance also have the option to have the heat levels dialed up.) The tender lamb skewers (RMB15) were small but mighty, and packed a punch with the abundance of cumin. In contrast, the minced lamb pie (羊肉薄饼, RMB88) was epically huge. This massive savory meat pie with its fiery fillings is best chased down with a cold bottle of Lanzhou’s Huang He beer (RMB15).
The Vibe Housed in one of Xietang Old Street’s historic Tang-style wooden buildings, Xibu Manfu Lou is an attractive place for a casual bite. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs in action, while the friendly staff are always willing to help with navigating the menu, which is only in Chinese characters and pinyin, and accompanied by photos. 51-102, Xietang Old Street Phase 5, SIP 苏州工业园区 斜塘老街五期51-102 (512 6299 7997) www.thatsmags.com | May 2018 | 3
e vents & cit y scenes
City Scenes
The Little Singers of Paris One of the world’s top boys’ choirs, The Little Singers of Paris have already performed in more than 80 countries, and are known as the French ambassadors of peace. For their Suzhou show, the young singers will be bringing a range of classical, traditional and folk songs from various countries, including China, to the audience. // Saturday, June 2, 7.30pm. RMB100-680. Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, 1 Guanfeng Jie, SIP 苏州工业园区观枫街1号 (www.sscac.com.cn)
Zhou Haiyun’s Embroidery Exhibition A tradition of Suzhou since the Song dynasty, many modern day embroiderers based in small towns near Taihu dedicate their lives to preserve this age-old craft. Suzhou born craftswoman Zhou Haiyun, who has more than 40 years of experience in this field and is known for her depiction of local sceneries with embroidery, will be showcasing her work at the Suzhou Museum. // Through Sunday, May 20. Suzhou Museum, 204 Dongbei Jie 东北街204号 (szmuseum.com)
On April 11, Hampton by Hilton Suzhou Xiangcheng hosted its grand opening ceremony. The hotel is conveniently located near the Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Station, and is within walking distance of the Xutu Gang Metro Station.
The 16th annual Wujiang Food Festival was officially announced on April 8. Organized by the Wujiang District Government and the Wujiang District Tourism Bureau, the festival features various events from now through December that feature seasonal ingredients and themes.
4 | May 2018 | www.thatsmags.com
Fair Play Crew: Seriously Funny This new comedy show by renowned Polish dance troupe, Fair Play Crew, tells the story of a modern-day man’s life through thought-provoking choreography, minimal stage design and no dialogue at all. // Friday, May 25, 7.30pm. RMB80-480. Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, 1 Guanfeng Jie, SIP 苏州工业园区观枫街1号 (www.sscac.com.cn)
EVENTS
The Beauty from Finite to Infinite Featuring the newest creations of contemporary artist/painter Zhu Yuze, this exhibition showcases his signature style of blending Chinese and Western-style oil painting to showcase the harmony between life and nature. // Through Sunday, May 6. Suzhou Museum, 204 Dongbei Jie 东北街204号 (szmuseum.com)
Dora the Explorer Live: Search for the City of Lost Toys The original American production of the popular family-friendly musical is coming to Suzhou for four shows this month. Already seen by more than 3 million people worldwide, the audience follows the adorable titular character on a journey to retrieve her beloved teddy bear, while overcoming various obstacles along the way. // Saturday, May 26, 7.30pm & Sunday, May 27, 10.30am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm. RMB180-480. Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, 1 Guanfeng Jie, SIP 苏州工业园区观枫街 1号 (www.sscac.com.cn)
InterNations May Event Join InterNations’ longstanding monthly networking event at Ombra Restaurant, Ligongdi, and meet fellow expats in the city over canapés and free-flow Italian wine and soft drinks, along with a panoramic view of Jinji Lake. There’s even an afterparty at Hemingway Terrace & Lounge for those who want to party all night long. // Friday, May 18, 7.30pm. RMB160 for albatross members / RMB210 for basic members / RMB230 at the door. No. 56, Phase 1, Ligongdi Business Street, SIP苏 州工业园区李公堤1期56号 (www.internations.org)
Bamboo and Plum Blossom in Paintings Collection Suzhou Museum is showcasing its collection of more than 40 pieces of bamboo and plum blossom paintings through the beginning of June. Both classic symbols of a traditional Chinese gentlemen, these two plants have been popular subjects for artists and poets since the Tang dynasty. // Through Sunday, June 3. Suzhou Museum, 204 Dongbei Jie 东北街204 号 (szmuseum.com)