Though I must say, my efforts did not go unrewarded, as whilst on my search I came across a familiar face.  A face I have seen plenty of times in my travels to Chengdu over the years.  The face of Grandma.  Or shall I say Grandma's Kitchen.  


Located on the 5th(or 6th) floor of Imix Park, Grandmas has opened up shop serving a variety of fairly well prepared, yet decently priced western food.  The menu includes everything form steak to pizza, burgers, sandwiches, buffalo wings, and even a selection of Mexican dishes.

Wanting to sample a couple of items, I went with the Montana BBQ burger and an order of burritos to satisfy my craving for mexican, Both ringing in at just under ¥50.
  
The burger, topped with bacon, cheese and barbecue sauce was both large as well as delicious and was accompanied by some OK crinkle cut french fries.  

The burritos, an order of 2, come in either chicken or beef(I had the Chicken), and come with sour cream and a side of beans and rice.  The burritos were also quite good, though the minuscule portions of beans and rice were an embarrassment.  Good, not great,  Gramma's is a welcome addition to the growing number of Chongqing's Western food restaurants.

And having lived in, and like the band Vampire Weekend(from whom the above quote comes from), dreamt of Boston, never did I imagine that I would come across such a sight as I did the other day.  Upon exiting the subway at Jiaochangkou station I glimpsed from afar the pink and orange color combination that is unmistakable to anyone who has lived in 'Beantown' or anywhere in America's north-east for that matter.  As I got a bit closer I made out the word "Donuts" and couldn't help but salivate at the idea that Dunkin Donuts had made its way to Chongqing.  I immediately picked up my pace, pondering whether to have hot or iced coffee? What what kind of donut I might get?   And how ma.....  and it was at that moment that I realized I'd been had.  I'd been tricked, and what from afar appeared to be the home of "America's favorite donut," and coffee beloved by millions, was a mere knock-off. 

Disappointed, but not defeated, I figured the best way overcome my sudden mood change would be to be proven wrong.  So with a sense of hesitation and lowered expectations, I decided to give Boston Donuts & Coffee a try.  And though far from the deliciousness that is Dunkin Donuts, it was actually pretty good.  In fact,  I'd go as far to say its home to the best doughnut in Chongqing.  I had a chocolate cake doughnut sprinkled with shredded coconut and an iced coffee.  The doughnut, though ever so slightly undercooked, had the combination of texture and moisture that most doughnuts in China leave you wanting for.  My friend, a local had a traditional glazed doughnut, which he devoured before I had a chance to try it, so I'm assuming it too was good.  The coffee however, left something to be desired.  I couldn't tell if it was watered down or just flavorless, either way, it didn't do it for me.  But as they say, beggars can't be choosers, and as far as Chongqing goes, this is the closest thing to a doughnut worth begging for.  

Boston Donuts & Coffee is located on the basement level of the shopping mall in Ri Yue Guang Chang, Jiao Chang Kou.
(较场口，日月广场)

It wasn't long ago that if one wanted a cold, reasonably priced beer, in a relaxed environment in Chongqing they had to go to the "outside bar," aka "the umbrellas," in Jeifengbei.  And if the weather were (as it is now) miserable, you were better ditching the beer for the 'warmth' of your own home, or over-extending your stay at a hot-pot restaurant(if that's even possible) to slurp down bottles of Shan Cheng away from the elements.  

Thankfully my friends, those times are no longer upon us, as Chongqing now has a variety of well priced, non-deafening watering hulls that appease to both foreigners and locals alike.  With a growing beer list, featuring brews from Laos(15RMB Beer Laos) to Germany, and properly made cocktails such as the signature "Caribou Lou," the newest of which, billed as Chongqing's 'only reggae bar,' is Da Rasta.  

Located in the student-centric hub of Shapingba, Da Rasta, with its reggae, or 'rasta' inspired motif is a great new option for those who enjoy pool/billiard, darts, or conversation with their booze.  As befits the name, a steady stream of island rhythms makes up the typical soundtrack at Da Rasta, though the friendly staff are willing to accomodate a variety of musical tastes, just so long as it isn't death-metal or something equally obtrusive that you yearn for.  And if you fancy yourself an intellectual, or just need an excuse to drink on Tuesdays(for free if you win),  Da Rasta is host to Chongqing's only trivia night, every week at 21:00

Address: 重庆沙坪坝区(汉渝路/工人村)优派青年公寓B懂(near Hanyu Lu Bus station)
Phone: 18623364003

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Yesterday a friend in Chongqing posted on facebook that he'd just seen 6 rats at Big Pizza in Three gorges square.  That was right after I'd returned home from eating, no more than 100 meters away, at Tianlu Sushi, and witnessing 1/6 of what went down at Big Pizza.

Now, if you want to eat delicious, traditional, inexpensive Chinese food, you're going to eat in in restaurants with rats. The aforementioned restaurants however are expensive(ish) and nice(ish) by local standards. 

There is a time and a place for Rats.  My favorite noodle shop for instance.  Sushi.  Sure as shit isn't one of them.

Bon Bon, restuarant in the Chongqing Tiandi development is indeed that, bon(bon means good in French for those who don't speak "freedom").  And on Sundays and Mondays I'd go as far as to add another Bon, with specials to rival any in town. 

On Sunadays drinks are buy one get one free, making for a perfect place for the timeless hangover cure... more booze.  Mondays from 12 -21:00(Tues. 0 Fri. 12 - 14:00) hamburgers are also buy one get one free, and this my friends is a deal not to be missed.  Bon Bon's burger is possibly Chongqing's best, and worth the standard price, let alone the two for one.  Juicy, flavorful beef, a well baked bun, with a side of salad and  and perfectly crispy fries, is a meal that very well could find its self at restaurants back in the states.  The only downfall being the everpresent(in Chongqing at least) use of processed cheese, that though not bad, isn't quite the real deal.