http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26653
The cafe has a great atmosphere, wonderful owners, traditional Swedish food (and inspired vegetarian food), whisky, Wi-Fi, and is a great spot to find out local information. The owners stock English language magazines, and they appear to have lived there long enough that they know where to go and what to do.

Most information in the cafe is available in English, Korean, Swedish, and Chinese.

The food is fantastic and worth the few extra RMB. The chef is a former vegan and makes wonderful vegetarian dishes. The coffee is also fabulous, if a bit slow as it is hand dripped, and apparently carefully selected by the owner's wife.

Unfortunately, the cafe doesn't open until 11am, but it is open until at least 10pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24223
For purveyors of Chinese cuisine this restaurant fits into the "dirty delicious" category. For those who don't know, dirty delicious is a category of local restaurant that would not meet Western standards of hygiene, but whose food is outstanding. Notable dishes on the menu include tie ban qie zi, and tie ban tu dou si.

Price: average
English menu: yes
English speaking staff: no]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24223 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18012
Chill out on the sofa, natter at the bar, sup in the barbershop chairs. Excellent Brit memorabilia, from footy programmes to classic photos of celebs, and the staggeringly artistic screwdriver on the wall.

Also check out the quote of the day on the blackboard. Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, Tiger, German lagers, a tasty range of cocktails. Occasional dancing ensues.

Open afternoon until as early as necessary.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10459 Chef Liao He Yi & his team in the five-star German-run Kempinski Hotel.

No visit to Chengdu and Sichuan would be complete without a visit to Shuxiangge. Try some of the very famous local dishes: Mapo Toufu, Lai Dumpling, and Han Steamed Bun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10459 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10457
Open every day: 7.30am – 11.00pm

Stop in to get a few (covered in frosting) home baked cinnamon rolls wrapped up for a few days' supply at only 6RMB each (0.60 Euro).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10457 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10456
Every Day: 10.00am – 3.00am

BAR FOOD SPECIALTY:
Pub grub includes the popular Shamrock burger and chips. Add lettuce, tomato, cheese, egg and / or bacon to your own liking. There is no shortage of ketchup (tomato sauce) to otherwise smother hot potato chips, wedges or onion rings. This can be washed down with a variety of local and imported beverages including Irish draught Guinness beer.

REGULAR EVENTS:
Thursday Solo singer
Friday DJ dance
Saturday Live bands
Sunday Solo singer]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7910 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7910 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7901
Hang out where locals chill. In most of them, it's unlikely you'll be left alone if you don't want to be.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7901 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7525
Your group orders food, which is brought to you so you can decide what to put into the bubbling soup. Sliced pork and beef, vegetables, doufu, and mushrooms are all standard fare, and you can also get kidneys, liver and many other body parts for the soup. A very sociable way of eating.

Some places do a 'buffet' deal where you pay one price per person (rather than paying for the food you order), and you stroll up to the buffet table to get the food bits - good for your first hot pot, and this overcomes ordering problems. The buffet deals are pricier, but usually include beer and red wine and soft drinks.

Hot pot (huo guo) restaurants are on almost every vaguely lively street. One town we were in had seven hot pot restaurants.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7525 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6094
The restaurant features a mix of Tex-Mex and Chinese food, the best milkshakes on the Asian continent, a comfortable atmosphere and free wi-fi if you happen to be carrying your laptop.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1300 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1300 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3752
All vegetarian, but incredibly skilful tofu imitations of traditional sichuan dishes - ever seen a whole 'fish' made of tofu? Go with a couple of other people and order a range of pot luck dishes. It's cheap too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3752 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1299