2010 Aug 27 Capital Bites: Sanlitun Action
The popular Japanese restaurant Hatsune celebrated it’s ninth birthday Wednesday night with a big all-you-can-eat and drink party at their digs atop Sanlitun Village South. There was a steady flow of champagne and colorful cocktails, as well as plentiful plates of Hatsune’s signature sushi rolls and other goodies flying around the room. By 10pm, the restaurant was packed with people who came to help them celebrate, or just liked the idea of unlimited booze and sushi for RMB 150. Good times all around, even after the music got too loud to talk and the queues for personal plates of sushi snaked around the sushi bar.
Taking it’s place among the newly-opened restaurants on the top of Sanlitun Village South, Modo is opening this Sunday. As reported previously, this sleek eatery/wine-bar will feature Enomatic wine dispensers, allowing diners to try 16 wines by the glass. As Modo was opened by the team behind Beijing favorite Mosto, the food is likely to be a treat as well. Stay tuned for the restaurant review.
A little further north, the meat-lovers in Beiijng may have hit the jackpot. Butcher’s Steakhouse is a veritable temple to meat. Not only do they offer a large assortment of raw meats for sale, including a grand selection of sausages, they also offer a 3-kilogram burger. That is, one kilo of meat, one kilo of bun, one kilo of fixings. The wise among us will share, but for those who can successfully tackle and eat one by him/herself, the burger is free. If anyone out there actually performs this feat, I'd love to hear about it. (If you’re curious about this monstrosity now, see Jim Boyce's post, and our review will be coming soon.)
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First Look: Hello Kitty's New Shimao Restaurant
After more than a year of construction, Beijing's newest department store, Shimao is open for business on the corner of Xindong Lu and Gongti Beilu. There's a number of edible options (more on this later in the week) but arguably the most exciting eatery is the Hello Kitty Dreams restaurant. After successful culinary ventures in Korea and Taiwan, Hello Kitty's first mainland restaurant opens on December 20. We wheedled our way in for a sneak peek ...
Shake 'Em Buns: 'Tis the Seasoning
When asked “what makes people happy?,” one colleague of mine answered “food, sleep and sex.” Assuming that she’s correct, a combination of two of those three could only be a good thing. Enter Shake ‘Em Buns, a Hong Kong burger chain bringing sexed-up patties to Beijing. With names like “Debbie Does Dallas” and “Happy Threesome,” Shake ‘Em Buns will have you blushing as you order. We went along to the official opening last night, partook in the finger food – and were thus spared from needing to ask the server for a “Philly Willy.”
Get Fresh: Healthy Eats at Backyard Cafe
This neat, peaceful café offers an alternative to nearby Panino Teca for embassy staff and health freaks. Every item reflects the health-conscious philosophy of the Chinese owner, who studied nutrition in Canada for six years.
Sanlitun Supermarkets, Icy Sweets and a Spicy Gamble
Sanlitun renovations
Friendship Supermarket will officially reopen on June 3 with a brand-new interior and layout. The groceries have been relocated to the second floor, but the variety is similar to what was available previously, mainly imported goods ranging from cheese sold by weight, delicatessen products to fresh vegetables and fruits. However, they’ve changed their bread supplier to Bruno Bakery, distinctive from the bread offerings at Jenny Lou’s and April Gourmet.Sanyangcai Brings Chongqing Hotness to Gongti
San Yang Cai’s name refers to three Chongqing specialties – dry-braised eels, loach with pickled mustard greens, and spiced frog stew – belonging to the jianghu cai (江湖菜) branch of Sichuan cuisine. Jianghu cai is characterized by three main traits – it’s folksy, rustic and eclectic. Spicier fare prevails at San Yang Cai, but the cooks display a talent for balancing flavors and creating quality dishes. The ingredients and seasonings are all imported from Chongqing, with vegetable oil (菜籽油) brought in from Sichuan.
