We’re on record stating our appreciation for the unfortunately-named Gangster Table. They just make those who sit in them feel a little bit special. If you’re not familiar with the term, here’s our definition:

Any large, super cozy booth or table that can accommodate at least six people and is tucked away at the rear of a restaurant. Vancouver exemplars include Table #60 at Mamie Taylor’s, Table #12 at Bao Bei (aka “Family Table”), Table #40/80 at the original Chambar, and Table #20 at Save On Meats.

And here’s a past poll of our favourites:

The images below and at top show Diaoye Niunan Restaurant in Beijing. Designed by Golucci International, it’s a veritable forest of cloistered, individually spotlit gangster tables, each one sitting on a floating platform seemingly separated from the rest by a “fog” screen that partially obscures those within. It looks like a room where secrets are constantly being exchanged (to add to the air of mystery, the servers all wear half-veils). If ever Long’s Noodle House opened a new location, this is what we’d like it to look like (minus the veil part).

MORE RESTAURANT PORN