Last December, we reported on the problems and subsequent closure of Aqua in Ch’ienmen 23. Today we received word via Chef Jordi Valles’s Facebook page that Aqua is preparing to re-open on the fourth floor of Nali Patio in Sanlitun.

This is welcome news for the many Beijing foodies who voted for Agua in Beijing’s various and sundry annual restaurant awards, and it is a fitting addition to a location already filled with some of the finest Spanish themed venues – including Spanish Deli Taste Spain, and tapas restaurants Carmen and Niajo – in the city.

A press release from SALT has just confirmed our suspicions, laid bare in this blog post from last week - that Gaby Alves and her team are indeed opening their new Sanlitun restaurant in the old Rickshaw space.

Lido stalwart SALT have added a rather special luxury beer - Estrella Inedit - to their menu, created by El Bulli maestro Ferran Adria. Enjoy this beer (specially made to pair with food) for RMB 128 a bottle on SALT’s terrace when it opens May 20. Even more exciting is the recent cryptic announcement of Gaby’s new secret “Sanlitun project” to open June 8 – the blog title was a bit of a tease - we’ll keep you posted as soon as we get more info!

Days after winning our readers’ pick for "Best Steak" in the 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards,  the Legation Quarter’s Meat & Wine Co. has closed its doors.

Wine buffs should pop a cork at the news that Enoteca is scouting for a second branch, this time in Sanlitun. Tomaz, manager of the current branch in The Place, tells us the task of pinning down a suitably sized location is well underway, and that the new branch will have more of a nightlife vibe, even selling wine-based cocktails. Enoteca currently has two branches in Shanghai with a third in the works. And here's a date for your diary:  April 24th, Entoeca's Grand Wine Tasting featuring over 60 bottles, a good chunk of the wine list that won them "Outstanding Wine Selection" at our 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. Tickets cost RMB 200 and include a tapas buffet from 5-8pm.