Do you know the muffin man that lives down Guanghua Lu? It’s Frank Siegel, and he’s just opened a new branch of Sequoia Café in the Kerry Centre next door to Papa John’s Pizza. They’re giving away free muffins from now until the end of November, so pop down for a bite and one of Beijing’s better cups of Joe.

It’s one of the culinary events of the year, food fans, and we’ve got two tickets to give away (worth RMB 888 each).

In honor of elBulli chef Albert Adrià’s visit to Beijing, and to celebrate the impact of Spanish cuisine across the world, Chef’s Brian McKenna of ROOMbmk and Da Dong of Da Dong Beijing Roast Duck Restaurants will be creating a magnificent eight-course Spanish-inspired dinner.

Using signature ingredients – many shipped in especially for the dinner – and techniques created by Spain’s culinary masters, both chefs will cook four courses each, pairing every dish with a perfectly matched wine.

For your chance to join guest of honor Chef Albert Adrià at UCCA Restaurant this Friday October 30 from 6.30pm, answer this simple question:

What is the name of the “world’s best” Spanish restaurant where Chef Albert Adrià made his name?

 

First of all, news on a massive party that only came out after our March issue went to print. The next YEN White party has been set for next Friday, March 26 at The Star Live. YEN regulars like Mickey Zhang, Patrick Yu and Blackie will be playing. Limited discount advance tickets are available from Lush or at ClubZone and cost RMB 50, regular advance tickets are available at RMB 80 from ClubZone, and tickets on the night are RMB 150 (including one drink).

Bang! Bang! It’s a duel of the DJs! There's a clash of techno titans tonight at Lantern as Acupuncture Records’ Chinaboyz (Terry Tu and ELVIS.T) celebrate their crossover project with UK label Mothership’s Italoboyz (Marco Donato and Federico Marton) in a double feature back-to-back set. We sought a few words of wisdom from the visiting Italians to see what they have to say ahead of the party ...

Despite the fact that big international bands keep failing to make it here (by "big" I mean famous, not necessarily good), promoters are still trying their best to bring quality acts to Beijing. Krautrock trio The Secret Machines (see interview here) and singer-songwriter Julie Doiron (see interview here) are playing tonight at Yugong Yishan and 2 Kolegas, while Zuoxiao Zuzhou (see interview here) performs his first solo in eight years at Century Theater. On Saturday, Japanese synth punk band Triple Nipples drive into 2 Kolegas for a night of god-know-what-would-happen. On other sides of the town, French folk duo Vialka and world music group Dawanggang jam at Tiny Salt Coffee Club, whereas Low Wormwood frontman Liu Kun releases his solo debut at D-22 with supports from some of Beijing's best folk musicians. Heavy weekend for live music, so take out your wallet now, you know musicians need money more than faith to keep rocking.