On our sixth day, we decided to go to a revolving restaurant. The idea is that somewhere very high up in one of Dalian’s skyscrapers, there is a restaurant located in a rotating section of the building. It is basically a huge circular platform, something like a giant rotor, slowly turning around.
We decided that we absolutely had to go there after some friends of ours, who had already been living in China for a while, strongly recommended it.
So off we went. The whole thing was interesting even before we arrived, because none of us had ever been to a place like this before. There was a little bit of excitement, a little bit of nervous anticipation. So, dear reader, let me tell you what I thought about the experience.
We got there by taxi — as usual, our favorite way of getting around Dalian. We entered the building and went up to a very high floor. Unfortunately, I honestly can’t remember which floor it was anymore. I only remember that it was really, really high.
Still, the view from up there was absolutely worth it. And that evening we were fairly lucky: Dalian’s usual haze and smog weren’t as heavy as they often are. We could clearly see the nearby high-rises, the city stretching into the distance, and the whole scale of this huge Chinese metropolis spread out below us.
I should probably mention that I am afraid of heights. But in situations like this, the most important thing for me is being able to see some perspective. If I can see the horizon and everything around me feels more or less level, for some reason I am much less afraid.
Anyway, we are getting distracted. Back to the restaurant.
The wine was included, there were plenty of cakes and desserts, and there was all kinds of Chinese and European food. I am not going to list everything that was there because, honestly, I do not remember all of it now.
We were slightly overwhelmed and a little surprised by the whole setup, so we behaved rather modestly. We took a few cakes, tried some European-style snacks and picked up a bottle of wine. Actually, if I remember correctly, it may even have been two bottles.
So, what can I say about the food?
If I am being fair, everything was tasty and good quality, but I would not say there was anything absolutely incredible or some kind of divine culinary experience. It was simply good, perfectly decent food.
The wine was fine too. I have definitely had better wine in my life. I would call this one fairly average, but still perfectly drinkable. And that is probably the best way to describe the food as well: good, well made, tasty enough — but nothing more than that.
But here it is important to separate one thing from another.
We did not go there because we were chasing some extraordinary meal. We went there more for the vibe, the setting and the whole experience of finally finding out what it is actually like to sit in a revolving restaurant — something none of us had ever done before.
And from that point of view, we were completely satisfied.
The food was good, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the waiters and staff were polite and attentive. We had no problems at all. The whole place felt fairly relaxed and democratic, almost like a buffet: some things were served to you, while other things you could simply walk over and take yourself, like a piece of cake or some other dessert.
Overall, the experience definitely left an impression.
Would I go back to this restaurant a second time during the same trip to China?
You know, probably not.
I had already been there once, I had seen it, experienced it and got what I came for.
If we were choosing somewhere to go again as a family, I would probably pick something more authentic. Maybe a tiny local restaurant, maybe even some simple little fast-food place — something along the lines of McDonald’s or another chain, but somewhere unusual. Or I would simply order something I had never tried before, just to get another new experience.
I probably would not return to this kind of more refined, enclosed atmosphere for a second time. Even though, once again, I really did enjoy it.
After all, when we go on holiday or travel somewhere new, we usually want something a little more authentic, something that gives us a feeling we cannot easily get at home.
So for me, eating some unusual sweet bun in a shopping mall while sitting at a cheap little table can sometimes feel just as interesting as visiting a revolving restaurant high above the city.
But in general, I think you should visit different places, try different things and collect different kinds of impressions.
And that is exactly what I wish for all of you.