Despite the fun set-up and silly name, Yummy Kiss (YK) is the sort of barbeque joint that really isn’t all that great. Carnivores be warned–you can do much better elsewhere.

This is DIY table-top barbecue in its truest sense. Servers are prompt when you need them, but by and large leave you alone. This means that the bottom line at a place like this is meat quality. Unfortunately, there’s not much to fall back on here. Even the premium option, the choice sirloin, is underwhelming. Since there’s no Korean-style small plates or sauces to liven up the flavour–just a small dipping dish of oil and salt–the low-quality meat ends up without a lot of flavour or texture.

It’s all rounded out by a number of predictably awful cocktails, renditions of the sort of drinks usually served with a tiny umbrella at a chintzy beach bar. Each one we tried managed to be both saccharine and far too strong-our Harvard Cooler was topped off with enough apple brandy to get our heads spinning. The same problems tainted our syrupy Pimms Highball. And when YK tries to go upscale for dessert with a‘house-made’nougat glacé, it ends up a fl op. They covered the frozen cream in cornflakes, so it’s almost like eating a bowl of sugary cereal.

With its excellent location–in Taikoo Li South near MODO Urban Deli–YK is sure to get plenty of walk-ins. But for all the obvious effort, the food never really delivers. A muddle of meh dishes simply won’t cut it when the restaurant is being compared to the strong competition nearby. We’re guessing that a lot of those walk-ins will be walking away before too long.

Address: Third Floor, S10-30 Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯路19号太古里南区三层S10-30

Source: timeoutbeijing.com