The Silver Spoon Café

Reviews

• • camelot27
    March 16, 2010

  • Wow, what the heck is going on with this cafe??

    Where has the management and quality of this once fantastic place in Beichen disappeared to??

    Like seriously, I know that the owners said they were going away for a few weeks - it's now been three months - but this place has really gone downhill and that's REALLY sad!

    Here's been my experience recently:
    1) mixed up orders and given the wrong meals.
    2) ordering a simple milkshake and being told I can't get one because they don't have the ingredients and don't know when they'll replenish.......tried to order something else, same answer!
    3) when I did get what I ordered.....it's been nothing like what I've come to expect from the Silver Spoon.

    Very poor quality!
    4) it takes FOREVER for something to be prepared, whether it's a coffee or meal!
    5) for a place that was once packed at lunch and dinnertime.....I no longer desire to go in and it seems neither does anyone else!

    The energetic, fun and welcoming atmosphere has also disappeared.
    6) I tried to go to the Vintage Cafe as a result of my poor experiences at SS only to find that it too has been closed frequently with no apparent reason.

    7) When asking staff when the owners will be returning, the ongoing "oh, maybe next week" answer is no longer believeable......makes me wonder if the owners just up and abandoned the whole establishment because clearly no one has heard from them!

    It makes me sad to hear others talk about the poor state of this once lovely cafe because I used to love this place!

    Delicious is not how I would describe The Silver Spoon right now......hopefully that changes.............soon!

    'Til then I'll pass.

• • Sylvain
    December 5, 2009
  • Hi everyone,

    As one of the silver spoon cafe's owner, I'd like to tell our customers than we are leaving kunming for a few weeks, the cafe will still open and will keep the same standart.

    We really enjoy this review system and hope for more commentary. You are aslo welcome to send us email at: thesilverspooncafe@gmail.com

    We are really working hard to give our customers the best service and one of the best western food in kunming, our special items (as roast pork with capers sauce ,beef bourguignon, duck a l'orange, smoked salmon mousse) will still available the next weeks.

    Thanks to everyone.

• • ohlson
    December 1, 2009

• • tabata
    October 22, 2009

• • sanyiseul
    September 16, 2009

  • Before i only went to the Silver Spoon for burgers. I tried other stuff, but too much sugar, too much cream etc....
    I tried their Italian stuff but it wasnt Italian at all.

    But with the new owner the quality is increasing and I go there often for lunch. The specials are very nice and the quality is extremly good. Even the burgers are really good and instead of fries with ketchup you get now real potato wedges with homemade majonaise!
    I am looking forward for more and more changes!

• • lovelb
    April 9, 2008
  • Amazing! A place with food that has lots of flavor and great service. It may not be a full "restaurant" but for a little cafe (which is what they call themselves) it has a great, and authentic, selection on the menu. I would say their menu is very American Gourmet, not just "western" like everywhere else.

    They are meticulous about cleanliness (no smoking!), fast service, being courteous, helpful and friendly. Who else covers all that. And if you have a complaint I have heard that when you email them they are quick to get back to you and make things right!!

    I had an great Chicken Caesar Salad that was really tart and tangy, with real parmesan shavings too. The people we went with had a great Raspberry Lemonade, some chicken lettuce appetizer, mozzarella sticks and a HUGE hamburger. We also ordered some "sides" to go with our food so we were full. Kind of mix and match (not just fries as the only choice). It was all very "American" sized so even though it may be more money, you get what you paid for.

    As for their real specialty- DESSERTS. Dont even waste your calories any where else! That place is pumping out some great stuff, and always changing them around. REAL cheesecake, cakes, cookies, KUNMINGS BEST TIRAMISU and loads of other stuff.

    I may be writting a lot but i am just excited to find a place that has a standard and quality that is high. Cute and cozy too.

    I am on their email list which gives you updates on their upcoming events (which i already signed up for the cooking class). If you want to join its thesilverspooncafe@gmail.com. And they do a punch card and a dessert happy hour (they had their before other people) every day 2-4.

    I would call it a jewel in the north side!

• • guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
    March 30, 2008
  • great sandwiches, desserts and drinks comfortable,cozy, warm, and quiet.

• • hedgepig
    March 3, 2008

  • i first sampled the Silver Spoon burgers a few weeks back - not bad at all, though i was unconvinced that they were 1/2 pound. another visit yesterday, and this time i was persuaded... definitely a fat burger. i was very happy with my cheese and bacon burger. diners with large appetites, be warned - you'll need a side of something to make a meal - the burger is just a burger - no fries.

• • timkunming
    March 3, 2008
  • I visited this fine establishment with my wife on Valentine's Day and we had a wonderful experience.
    The first thing we noticed was the ambiance - it was fantastic. A nice, quiet place playing relaxing music.
    The second thing we noticed was that it was CLEAN. Spotless. I felt like I was back home in the states, and it felt good to be in such a well-maintained restaurant.
    The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and we were a bit taken aback, to be honest. We hadn't received such wonderful service since being back home - - - we've been accustomed to rude waitresses and horrible service for a long time!
    A bit on the pricy side, but not outrageously so. I'd certainly recommend some of their desserts, and their sandwich selection looked amazing.

    The only downside I can see to this place is the location. Too. Damned. Far. Unless you live in the area it's quite a pain to get out there in a reasonable amount of time due to Kunming's less-than-adequate transportation systems. On that note, however, I think it's relative remoteness from the center of town allows it to have the great atmosphere it does.

    The first time I've been in a restaurant where I forgot I was in China. I really felt at home.

    Give it a shot if you haven't been there already.

• • TJEaker
    February 27, 2008
  • The Silver Spoon has been an exciting arrival to the Kunming western Style cafe scene! Although there are a few things they could attend to in making the cafe a little better, (ie more dining space) it is a great experience as is. The service there is excellent compared to some other cafes! (I have never gotten good service at Salvadores) Friendly, attentive and consciencious. I, myself, do not drink coffe or latte so I should not comment on such items, however the hot chocolate is excellent! On my 2 visits I have tried the salads (I am a BIG fan of their salads!)the BBQ pork, and my true favorite, the spinach artichoke sandwich! Very delicious and served hot and fresh. Silver Spoon also does some very unique things in the form of romantic spreads for Valentines day and other special occasions, cooking classes for adults and kids and the atmosphere in the cafe is very much like a western cafe should be. The Silver Spoon Cafe will be a mainstay on the Northside of Kunming. Take the time and visit; sip some coffee or tea, tap your feet to the rhythm of the music, take your notebook computer and browse the web, have a great meal and don't forget to finish off your visit with one of their delicious desserts! You will be glad you did! I give them 4 1/2 stars, easily!

• • didie
    February 15, 2008
  • hello, sorry I've make a mistake, I give three stars to the restaurant .

• • Kyle Essary
    January 1, 2008
  • Originally, when my wife and I moved to Kunming, we were happy that there were multiple western style restaurants to choose from in the city, yet saddened by the lack of a restaurant that combined gourmet food with a classy atmosphere. People raved about certain Western food places, yet the food and atmosphere at these places were very disappointing when compared to such high reviews. Then we came across The Silver Spoon Cafe and were very happy with what we found.

    When you enter the cafe, you will feel as though you have entered a stylish, but small, American jazz cafe. In the evenings, the tables are lit by candlelight and the air is filled with classical jazz. My wife and I have commented so many times that it really feels like being in a cafe back in the States.

    The menu is written on a massive chalkboard, and the choices are rather diverse for a small cafe. First, the Silver Spoon has one of the widest selection of teas and coffees that I've found in Kunming. I usually order the Chai, because I'm a fan of Chai and theirs is very good. The food varies from gourmet sandwiches to salads, soups, flatbreads and delicious desserts. The cafe also offers seasonal foods. Tonight my family went and I enjoyed an outstanding beef bourginoun, which is such a perfect autumn food. Despite going weekly, I still struggle deciding between the sandwiches that I know are so good, or whatever special they may be serving that week.

    After enjoying your main course, The Silver Spoon offers a wide selection of tasty desserts. They have smaller snack type desserts such as chocolate covered Oreos and peanut butter balls, yet also larger desserts such as apple pie, cheesecakes and tarts. Nothing is ordinary or plain at the Silver Spoon and even simple sounding desserts are exquisite.

    The service is wonderful and friendly, and they are more than willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you have a wonderful meal. I know that they cater and believe they will even deliver smaller meals, but my family enjoys the classy atmosphere so much that we prefer to go there and eat.

    If you are looking for gourmet, authentic American food, then you must go to the Silver Spoon Cafe. It is far and away the best tasting, most authentic western food in town.

    Addendum: I do not hope that my review has you confused as to thinking that this is a large, full menu restaurant. Apparently, the Beef Bourginon that I mentioned was only a limited time special, and the usual cuisine is soup, salads, sandwiches and fine deserts. Just as the name implies, it is a cafe, just like Salvadors, Mazagran, etc. but as far as American cafe food goes, this is in my opinion the most authentic and best tasting American food in town.

• • Bernie
    December 14, 2007
  • Recently, we made it out to the Silver Spoon Café. Beichen Gardens may be a remote place for many people but this new café seems to have a dedicated following. I needed a guide and, therefore, I will provide such details. One simply travels northwards on Beijing Lu until reaching the Northern Coach Station, behind which is the METRO supermarket. Across the street is a KFC restaurant – the Silver Spoon is someway behind KFC, set in a large residential area with attractive gardens, together with many other restaurants, bars, and shops.

    As mentioned before, it is a tiny café. The décor is an attractive Americana style with many small tables (perhaps, one too many) that were not occupied during our visit, except for one person browsing the Internet. My companion suggested that a few cushions would be welcome.

    We ordered two delicious garlic soups — my companion also ordered a tasty Caesar salad and I tried the roast pork and blue cheese toasted sandwich. Thin slices of roast pork as an ingredient becomes nondescript when toasted with blue cheese that, itself, was a little bland. Blue cheese is usually wonderful to use for cooking but, in this case, I would venture to suggest using something like Gorgonzola or Roquefort (if available). The home-made bread was good but some garnish would not have gone amiss.

    A visit to the Silver Spoon becomes a dilemma when one's attention is drawn towards an appetising lunch (or supper) menu. Kyle Essary (below) mentioned the beef bourginon. But this is very much a tiny café and should not be confused with a restaurant, especially as 24 hours notice is required for anything other than soup, salad, sandwiches, and the attractive deserts.

    The owners of this café should be commended because they are obviously keen to bring good western food to Kunming and, if they opened a café/restaurant downtown, I would be a frequent visitor.

• • WeiXue
    October 17, 2007
  • In response to prd34:

    First, it's ridiculous to blame a certain restaurant for your sickness.

    Foodborne illness (often called food poisoning) has an incubation period of up to several days.

    It's just as likely that you got sick from an earlier meal in the day or even something you ate the day before.

    Second, The Silver Spoon has always offered to make a fresh sandwich if you want it.

    You could have just asked.

    If you have a bad experience at a restaurant that everyone else has rated with 5 "GKs," you might want to try it again because your opinion is obviously in the minority.

    I have eaten at the Silver Spoon many many times and it has always been good.

    I love the salads (especially the Bacon Blue Cheese and Apple Maple Walnut), but the sandwiches and soups are great too.

    Silver Spoon is also a great place for coffee and dessert (and if you buy a coffee or drink, I love the raspberry lemonade, that's 16RMB or more from 2-4pm you can get a dessert for half price!).

    No, I don't work for The Silver Spoon, I've just been there so often that I know...

    My favorite part is the friendly staff who know my name (cue Cheers music) and the fact that it looks like a real American cafe/bistro.

    The cookies classes and parties are also fun ideas.

    They have wifi, too, like many of the places near Wenlinjie.

    Ok, since I feel like I have to say something negative...the prices are not the cheapest, but when it comes down to it, it's worth it!

    Also, they used to have Blondies

    (sort of brownies, but with white chocolate) all the time, but I haven't seen them recently.

    Bring back the Blondies, Silver Spoon!!!

    If you're wondering about the prices, here are some examples:

    Small Salad/Soup: 12
    Large Salad/Soup: 22 (add 10 if you want chicken)
    Bread of the Day: 8
    Small Sandwich: 22 (30 for combo with a small salad or soup)
    Large Sandwich: 30 (38 for a combo)
    Cookies: 2-4
    Bars: 12-14
    Cheesecake: 20-28
    Americano: 8
    Cappuccino: 16
    Latte: 18
    Flavored Latte: 22
    Chai: 22 (I've heard it's really good!)
    Small Drink (Blackcurrant Cinnamon Iced Tea, Raspberry Lemonade, Peach Iced Tea, Strawberry Apple Juice): 12
    Large Drink: 20

• • prd34
    October 11, 2007
  • I went here once and that was the last time. I got sick as a dog and it took me several days to recover. I got there late and the only food they had were dishes that looked as if they had been sitting around all day. These were half-price if one bought a drink. Well, I did and it was the last time. It is also a bit pricey and definitely not worth the trip from central Kunming nor worth getting sick over.

• • Kevin
    October 10, 2007
  • There is no doubt that Silver Spoon is the best western restaurant in Kunming, hands down, put a fork in it.

    Excellent salads and a ruben to make you want to drive back the States and slap your mom.

• • Brian
    October 5, 2007
  • This place is REALLY good.

    It's slightly more expensive than other western restaurants, but then the quality of the food also seems better too.

    The dining area is small, but the design is very stylish and very western.

    The Chipotle salad with chicken is GREAT and the desserts also looked pretty amazing.

    If I could only eat at one western food place in Kunming, this would probably be the place I'd pick based on the food and the atmosphere.