Xi'an Restaurants: Colabo Pizza & Pasta

Colabo is one of those places that once you set foot in you realize that you are in for a good meal. The fact that it’s in one of the most obscure locations a restaurant could be only adds to the atmosphere that you have truly found one of Xi’an’s hidden gems that will be added to your list of frequent spots that answer the age old question, “what do you want to eat tonight?” With its simple décor and soft atmosphere the dining room feels perfect whether it’s a quiet dinner for two or a night out with friends.   

More than just a “pretty face” the Colabo staff is multi-lingual (Chinese, English, and Japanese) and professionally trained in not only their restaurant menu but also in western restaurant culture (that means refilled water glasses without the “FUYUYUAN!” routine). This alone makes this an oasis, an escape, a place to relax, basically a restaurant with a real feel.With a name like Colabo it’s of course Italian and that means that not only do the pastas and salads make your mouth water but the pizzas are some of the best in the city. With the right amount of sauce, cheese and toppings I’m not sure where else in the city you can find a European styled pizza that tops this one.

Another specialty is their steak, a real tenderloin steak, not some thin piece of hide but a proper, thick, amazingly prepared, tenderloin steak for UNDER 90 RMB. With imported, Chinese, and house wines that can be matched to your order, a full service bar menu that won’t break the bank, and of course cold beer year (even in winter) you’ve just put together a meal and a half.

The only thing to talk about now is dessert, from home made cakes, puddings, and ice creams, nothing will say caloric overload like finishing off your meal with one of these little delights.

Made fresh daily it’s a sin to say no, and a sin to say yes.With daily lunch set menu’s and promotional items for dinner this is one place where you don’t have to cringe at the “mai dan” (bill), the lunch set menu is 40 or 50 RMB per person and a full dinner meal per person averages between 45 and 100 RMB, the money spent on this meal is paid back in full by needing a walk afterward just to keep your pants fitting.   Add all this up and not only will you have found a great restaurant that won’t break the bank but you will also probably have found a little bit of your Xi’an, and it tastes amazing.