The Drei Kronen, a micro-brewery tied to German franchisers, has an outdoor area. To get to the restaurant, you must look out for it. The place is screened by pine trees. Watch for the bus stop shelter, behind which you should be able to see the restaurant. If you look up, you will see the big yellow sign, complete with Percherons and a beer keg wagon.

Entering through the driveway, you can see the frontage of the restaurant. To the left side, a row of tables and umbrellas. In the middle of the frontage, the main doorway.

The restaurant itself has over-come opening day problems of service and menu. The food is solid and in large portions. You can order a platter of sausage or a good steak. There is also pizza, fries, bread, soups and salads. Prices are medium to high, depending on what you order. Most dinners will be in the medium range.

The beer is great. You can get an entire litre in a huge mug, or more usual sizes. There are frequently specials inviting you to order one and get two. The beers brewed on the premises comes in three types, lager, dark or wheat beer. All of them are good. There is also wine on offer, moderately priced and reasonable quality.

The outdoor area is of a reasonable size. Your view is of the parking lot or other diners, but you are outside for the three or four nights of Changchun summer.

Lunch is often not available. Today, Wednesday July 13, I was told there would be no food until 4 pm, although the doors were open and there was a receptionist on duty.

Location: Guigu Dajie, past Jiayuan Jie