2009 Sep 07 Capital Bites: Latin Grill Party, the New Fish Nation and Sichuan Food Festival
On this day in 1822, Brazil announced its independence from the Portuguese. You can join the celebrations in style at Solana's Latin Grillhouse today with Brazil's national dish, feijoada - a claypot stew made from beans, salted pork, bacon, smoked pork ribs, and sausage. If previous years are anything to go by, expect lots of booze, lots of music and lots of fun late into the night.
Meanwhile, a slew of new joints are opening in the alleys north of Qianhai and Houhai. Jay, the owner of Beijing's two Fish Nation restaurants, has opened Orange Tree Bistro in a stunning courtyard space on Dashibai Hutong. In addition to the ever dependable cod and chips, pizza and salads, the menu has a new grill section featuring ribs and burgers, a few pasta choices and two pages of appetizers.
In other news, Tribute North, the only California-themed fusion restaurant this side of the Himalayas, has closed. There's a bit of mystery surrounding all this, but it seems owner Frank Sun has been turfed out by the landlords. Across town, the Vineyard Cafe shakes hands with Argo, their new neighbor in Wudaoying Hutong. It's a real Greek restaurant with a real Greek in the kitchen, which is a good start. And nearby at Cafe de la Poste tonight, the Fraternelle des Fromages are meeting for one of their irregular cheese and wine sessions. It's an invite only affair, but feel free to drop by and ogle les Francais in their natural habitat.
From fine wine to tequila, and the news that Gulou Dongdajie has a new Mexican restaurant - Amigo - with probably the coolest sign on the street - a glowing neon sombrero. Over the next couple of weeks, diners eat for 15% off. The owner is the guy behind Pho, the decent little Vietnamese joint across the road, so the food should be bueno.
Lastly, spicy food fans take note that the Dragon Palace Restaurant in the Kempinski is hosting a Sichuan food festival from now until September 20 (though the popular RMB 88 dim sum lunch is still available). Executive chef Nicky Zhang from Kempinski Chengdu is in town, so if anyone can cook up a Sichuan storm, it's him.
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Out Now - the Beijinger Sep 2010: Get Moving!
It's not often that the Beijinger agrees with mid-'90s pop combos Five and S Club 7 but this month we do. September's issue is concerned with sports and we tell you where you can get moving - Five merely advised you to keep on moving and S Club don't stop moving but we'll get you started in the Beijing sport scene.Our editors have put their lives on the line for you in trying 17 different sports on offer around town. We deliberately sent complete newcomers so that we'd be able to tell you what it's like to take up a sport from scratch in the city. Now you've no excuse for not losing those excess pounds, or not having any friends, or any other "problems" that sport can solve.
Talking Pints: DJs DJs Everywhere
This is a busy weekend for DJs and live music events, so start the night early and work your way around a varied assortment of musical performances. Big party at ChinaDoll tonight, with what they claim - and who are we to argue? - is Beijing's "first UFO party." All the talk of UFOs lately has inspired ChinaDoll to try and tempt the aliens over to 3.3's rooftop. "Hot and sexy alien babes" are all but guaranteed. Dress code: black or neon green. Free. 9pm.Free Beer, Wine, BBQ & Music: At Volcom's Screenprinting Party!
This Saturday, Volcom is throwing a party for anyone interested in learning to screen print t-shirts - or just sitting back and enjoying some free drinks and live music.
American clothing brand Volcom (www.volcom.com) will be supporting a printing project in Shanghai and Beijing, titled Volcom x Young Emerging Chinese Artists Screen Printing Workshop.OUT NOW! the Beijinger - August 2010: Flight of the Living Dead
There are many famous sayings about travel but it's too hot to quote them right now when we'd rather be on a beach. This is the time of year when people are leaving, are thinking about leaving or have left Beijing. Whether it's summer vacation, relocating, thinking about what to do with that October break or booking flights to home for the holidays, travel is on our minds.We didn't think that you'd want to see yet more photos of exotic destinations that you'll probably never go to so we've tried to give you some more practical tips in our Cover Feature. We've a booking challenge to pit the internet against travel agents, we've a packing challenge to pit the professionals against the rank amateurs and we've tales of some of the challenges that you've faced getting from A to B because, let's face it, everybody likes to hear other people's holiday horror stories.
I Guess That's Why They Call Them The Blues: Birmingham A Better Bet Than Barca?
You watched the World Cup. As it went on you began to like it ever more. By the point of the final you were packed into a bar with hundreds of others. It was a Sunday night and well past your bedtime but that is how much you love soccer. The good news is that this love affair can continue even though the fat lady has sung, you can even take it to the next level by getting some real live football into you.
There are three options as to how to do this.
1. Watch Beijing Guoan in the CSL.
2. Watch FC Barcelona vs. Beijing Guoan on August 8th at the Bird's Nest.
3. Watch Brimingham City FC vs. Beijing Guoan on July 21st at the Bird's Nest."No contest," you say "it's Barcelona all the way." Well you're wrong and as much as it pains me to tell you here's why - and no, I'm not going to suggest you watch the CSL.
bobby_liu
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