Favorite Family Restaurant Element Fresh has everything we need: baby-changing facilities, highchairs, and cleanliness. Brunch is great there, and I’m addicted to the smoothies. We also love Mr. Shi’s in Sanlitun; the staff is always lovely with River.
Favorite Dessert It takes a lot to beat my husband’s cookies.
Best Place to Shop I go a bit crazy for vests from Mothercare; they’re always good quality. I buy them from the tmall site.
Weekend Activities Mummy-baby groups on Fridays and Mygym at The Place on Saturdays. We’ve recently found a fantastic ayi, so we’ve started to have date nights again. It’s important to have a few hours alone to enjoy a meal and hold hands.
Family Rituals We often do rib night on Sundays. We live close to Plan B, which in my opinion do the best ribs in Beijing.
The Gilliland Family
64
Nikki Aaron-Gilliland and Andrew with their son River (10 months) in Shuangjing beijingkids 2015Gilliland September
New Discoveries We tend to stay close to home in Shuangjing, so we’re always excited when new places pop up. Andrew in particular is looking forward to the opening of The Brick’s new taproom. However, I’m not sure River and I are invited!
Best Date Night Venue Taco Bar is outstanding followed by a few whisky cocktails at one of our pre-baby favorites, Janes & Hooch. Otherwise, we usually choose Iki’s Korean Restaurant which always has yummy food!
Best Place for a Special Occasion Duck de Chine is a nice spot to impress visitors or celebrate an occasion.
Favorite Place to Shop for Yourself It’s funny how when you have a baby, suddenly it becomes more exciting shopping for rompers than it does for outfits for yourself. However, after checking out the kids’ clothes in H&M and Zara, I might have a little peek at some stuff for myself.
Favorite Way to Relax A spot of cooking, a glass of wine, and story time with River.
Favorite Neighborhood Ours – Shuangjing.
photo: uni you
E
nglishwoman Nikki Aaron-Gilliland has called Beijing her home for the past eight years, having moved here for her journalism career. Aaron-Gilliland met her American husband Andrew Gilliland online and – after the pair quickly decided they were meant to be togehter – Gilliland packed his bags and moved to Beijing. Gilliland has been here for two years now and is a stay at home dad to the couple’s son, River (10 months). Aaron-Gilliland says her family is fortunate when it comes to health – they rarely get sick – but when illness does strike, she tends to reach for vast amounts of tea while Gilliland cooks up one of his culinary specialties: mashed potato and grilled cheese sandwiches!
Favorite Autumn Activity We’re looking forward to taking him out for rides on his Smart Trike, especially seeing as the weather is usually so lovely in September.