Ba Pin Lou

Ba Pin Lou is a mid-range Gansu and Chinese restaurant in Lanzhou's Chengguan District, in Gansu province, rated about 4.5 by travellers. The address is listed only as Chengguan District, so confirming the exact location on Amap is advised. The restaurant serves a menu of regional braises and cold dishes, which reflect the northwestern style of slow-cooked meats and vinegared or chilli-dressed starters, and is organised around sharing several plates at a table. Its signature dishes are the braised regional specialities and a selection of cold dishes served at the start of the meal, a pattern common to Chinese banquet dining. The dining room is a seated, table-service space of the kind favoured for family meals, small celebrations and business dinners, with a moderate noise level and a relaxed pace. Tea is the standard drink, and beer and soft drinks are typically available. Prices are mid-range for Lanzhou, with a meal generally costing about 80 to 150 yuan per person, roughly 11 to 21 US dollars. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations are advised, particularly in the evening and at weekends, when family groups fill the larger tables, and booking a day ahead is a sensible precaution for parties of more than four. As with most Chinese restaurants of this type, the best approach is to order several dishes for the table, mixing a cold dish, a braise and a vegetable, and to add staples such as rice or noodles at the end. Visitors who want to move beyond street food and noodle shops to a seated regional meal will find it a representative choice, and the high traveller rating suggests consistent quality.