Huamei Western Food Restaurant

The charmingly named Huamei Western Food Restaurant features heavily on most "Things to Do in Harbin" lists. Visitors are encouraged to check out the ceiling on the second floor.

Fair enough, it featured this fancy chandelier. The rest of the surroundings were similarly opulent. All stately pillars, plenty of gold trimming, and oil paintings.

Unfortunately the service was execrable, the food even more so. Many reviews online blame the poor service on the fact that Huamei is, or was, a state-run enterprise but I don't know - I've eaten at plenty of terrible places where the spirit of capitalism was very much alive.

The food was more Chinese than Western or Russian. Perhaps in a concession to Western-style dining side dishes, napkins, even butter for the stale bread had to be bought separately.

In fact, the Russian cafe a few doors down beats Huamei in every respect except decor.

The place's one saving grace was this delightful nudey statue by the stairs. I don't know art, but I know what I like!