Phone: (0871) 8228345
Homelike atmosphere, Italian and Thai dishes - and they make their own wine
Reviews
My definition of the word 'niche' follows that of the O.E.D. which states, "a specialized but profitable corner of the market." The BB being in one corner and the RS in the other, resulting from their individual standards.
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20th January,2008
I counted to ten. Actually, I counted to 100 (Well, almost). But no one came to the rescue of the Blue Bird Club in the last review that, I feel, must be addressed.
The Red Star restaurant is not in any way in the same "niche" as the Blue Bird Club (Either of the two).
The Blue Bird Club has a rustic, but comfortable décor, obviously designed by an experienced professional, while the Red Star has a rustic décor that seems to have been simply put together with wooden material salvaged from the local fruit market and thrown together with one or two old beer barrels . . . in a couple of hours. Thus, its niche may be on Wen Lin Jie.
I do agree with the description of the staff that, again, is very different to the Blue Bird Club with its well-trained head waiter. Additionally, the kitchen staff is obviously managed by a professional 'chef' contrary to the Red Star's 'cook'.
The Blue Bird Club has a very good wine list, although, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.
I wrote the following in the Best & Worst Forum last year, and I see no reason to change it:
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Wednesday, 4th April, 2007
". . . I recently visited (with some trepidation) the Red Star restaurant with some Chinese friends following a recommendation that it was the 'best' western-type restaurant in Kunming -- I have no hesitation in reporting that, notwithstanding many Chinese restaurants, I would describe it as the worst western-type restaurant in Kunming -- in other words, reasonable beer and cheap food does not a good restaurant make".
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In summary; The Red Star restaurant is, perhaps, a good place for those on a low budget, or those living within walking distance.
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20th January,2008
I counted to ten. Actually, I counted to 100 (Well, almost). But no one came to the rescue of the Blue Bird Club in the last review that, I feel, must be addressed.
The Red Star restaurant is not in any way in the same "niche" as the Blue Bird Club (Either of the two).
The Blue Bird Club has a rustic, but comfortable décor, obviously designed by an experienced professional, while the Red Star has a rustic décor that seems to have been simply put together with wooden material salvaged from the local fruit market and thrown together with one or two old beer barrels . . . in a couple of hours. Thus, its niche may be on Wen Lin Jie.
I do agree with the description of the staff that, again, is very different to the Blue Bird Club with its well-trained head waiter. Additionally, the kitchen staff is obviously managed by a professional 'chef' contrary to the Red Star's 'cook'.
The Blue Bird Club has a very good wine list, although, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.
I wrote the following in the Best & Worst Forum last year, and I see no reason to change it:
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Wednesday, 4th April, 2007
". . . I recently visited (with some trepidation) the Red Star restaurant with some Chinese friends following a recommendation that it was the 'best' western-type restaurant in Kunming -- I have no hesitation in reporting that, notwithstanding many Chinese restaurants, I would describe it as the worst western-type restaurant in Kunming -- in other words, reasonable beer and cheap food does not a good restaurant make".
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In summary; The Red Star restaurant is, perhaps, a good place for those on a low budget, or those living within walking distance.
Whilst I'm loathe to defend the Red Star I must point out that 'niche' doesn't equate to 'standards'. If I may point out a few similarities between the two:
1. Both Bluebird and Red Star are multi-level bar-restaurants with roof gardens.
2. Both Blue Bird and Red Star have live music in the evenings (BB a Filipino keyboard-crooner couple and RS a guitarist)
3. Both BB & RS are quiet drinking venues outside eating times.
4. Both BB & RS serve western food, chinese food, Thai food, Italian etc. In fact the menu content is surprisingly similar (RS is perhaps a third or quarter of BB's price).
5. Both BB & RS were designed rustic-style. BB just renovated and RS was renovated badly.
And finally whilst BB may have a 'chef' to RS's 'cook', the RS's cooks, in the most part, used to work as chefs in BB.
The RS is quite plainly an imitation of BB with lower standards. It is the Wimpey to BB's Burger King.
Next time (of if) you go, try the French Steak at Red Star and then head over to Bluebird for the same. Sour and Spicy Noodles, iron-skillet squid, spicy devil fried rice, pizza, pasta, the list goes on....
Pretty much the same recipes but made with lower quality ingredients, presented less professionally and delivered by waiters with a quarter of the IQ, in a setting that as Bernie rightly states could have been knocked up in a couple of hours on Wenlin Jie.
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Red Star is very much in the same niche as Bluebird but not quite as expensive. The restaurant is on 3 floors, I'd recommend going up to the roof terrace for the best atmosphere especially if you want to eat. The second floor is more of a bar with lower ceiling and smoky atmosphere.
I had some pretty good food last time I went to Red Star. In the past though it has been hit or miss. I'd recommend the steak and the chicken burrito isn't bad.
The one thing that brings the Red Star down is the service. The waiters look like they've been pulled out of the Firebird, thrown into uniform and told to stand around and ignore customers. They are masters at avoiding eye contact.
If you like Red Star get one of their VIP discount cards for 100 kuai. The savings tot up pretty quickly.
Oh and don't try the house wine. It's foul (makes Yunnan Red seem like premier cru bordeaux!)
3 1/2 stars for food
0 stars for service
1. Both Bluebird and Red Star are multi-level bar-restaurants with roof gardens.
2. Both Blue Bird and Red Star have live music in the evenings (BB a Filipino keyboard-crooner couple and RS a guitarist)
3. Both BB & RS are quiet drinking venues outside eating times.
4. Both BB & RS serve western food, chinese food, Thai food, Italian etc. In fact the menu content is surprisingly similar (RS is perhaps a third or quarter of BB's price).
5. Both BB & RS were designed rustic-style. BB just renovated and RS was renovated badly.
And finally whilst BB may have a 'chef' to RS's 'cook', the RS's cooks, in the most part, used to work as chefs in BB.
The RS is quite plainly an imitation of BB with lower standards. It is the Wimpey to BB's Burger King.
Next time (of if) you go, try the French Steak at Red Star and then head over to Bluebird for the same. Sour and Spicy Noodles, iron-skillet squid, spicy devil fried rice, pizza, pasta, the list goes on....
Pretty much the same recipes but made with lower quality ingredients, presented less professionally and delivered by waiters with a quarter of the IQ, in a setting that as Bernie rightly states could have been knocked up in a couple of hours on Wenlin Jie.
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Red Star is very much in the same niche as Bluebird but not quite as expensive. The restaurant is on 3 floors, I'd recommend going up to the roof terrace for the best atmosphere especially if you want to eat. The second floor is more of a bar with lower ceiling and smoky atmosphere.
I had some pretty good food last time I went to Red Star. In the past though it has been hit or miss. I'd recommend the steak and the chicken burrito isn't bad.
The one thing that brings the Red Star down is the service. The waiters look like they've been pulled out of the Firebird, thrown into uniform and told to stand around and ignore customers. They are masters at avoiding eye contact.
If you like Red Star get one of their VIP discount cards for 100 kuai. The savings tot up pretty quickly.
Oh and don't try the house wine. It's foul (makes Yunnan Red seem like premier cru bordeaux!)
3 1/2 stars for food
0 stars for service
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