Two-In-One Taste Of Home

Big Smoke Bistro & Uncle Otis

In the spirit of the upcoming celebration of Thanksgiving, it seems only fitting to welcome Beijing’s two newcomers to the comfort food cuisine scene - side-by-side The Big Smoke Bistro and Uncle Otis offer the perfect place for both expats and locals to raise a toast and give thanks. From Kris Ryan of Cox and The Saddle Cantina, BSB and Uncle Otis both bring a modern take on back-to-basics food – where Latin American-influenced barbecue is the star at the former, while rotisserie chicken is the focus at the latter.

In the multi-roomed, large brick-and-wood Big Smoke space, hearty dishes like seven-hour braised lamb shank and eight-hour wood fired pig share the stage with beef tenderloin chimichurri and short ribs with coffee and ancho chili sauce. The restaurant also features an impressive wood-fired Asado grill, a traditional Argentinian pit of fire which simultaneously cooks three animals to roasted perfection. Next door at the comparatively tiny Uncle Otis, whole or half chickens (white or dark meat, dressed in Cajun spice or butter and thyme) come with your choice of nine homemade sauces like roasted tomato and thai chilli, and complemented with down-home staples like creamed spinach and mac and cheese. If you can’t get a turkey to celebrate the holiday, at least you can get some finger lickin’ good chicken. We’ll give thanks for that!