Capital Bites: More Deli, Tiny Pizzas, and the Romance Continues

It's only Tuesday, and sadly, many of us are already well into our work week. Seven days in a row just seems cruel, but Beijing's restauranteurs are there with new deals to keep the long week fresh and interesting.

For those spending their daylight hours in the Jianwai Soho vicinity, take note for your mid-day break that Twilight is starting a lunch deal and will have a new spring menu. Get a cocktail, too, and make the afternoon more interesting. No shame, something has to pull you through.

Look forward to the weekend and recoup from your Saturday evening with the Back Alley Bistro's new brunch. The weekly offering begins this Sunday (10am-3pm), so be one of the first. I'm particularly excited about the Donkey Hash and for my sweet tooth, the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. Standard brunch offerings (eggs, waffles) are also available for traditionalist. Take a lazy Sunday and stick around the Bistro until 3pm to try their new Sunday Roast with all the trimmings.

Keep the romance alive all month with Capital M's Valentine's Day menu. They are extending this special menu until February 28, so indulge while you can.

If romance has resulted in offspring, check out XIV Bistro Lounge at 14 Jiaodaokou Beisantiao. They have a Western menu (salad, soup, sandwiches) and an interesting DIY "mini pizza party" concept aimed at families. We're hoping to have our own pizza feast there shortly and will report back when we do.

Deli de Luxe has expanded their opening hours to include Sunday (8am-3pm) and are working on tweaking their delivery zone as well. Final details for this are in the works, but expect boundaries somewhere around the south and west gates of Chaoyang Park, a minimum order and possibly a small delivery fee. We'll keep you posted as we hear more.

It's a new year (again) and time for reinventions. Before it's even opened, Zest Urban (from the team behind SALT and formerly Terra) has morphed into zap urban eatery. They are still planning for a mid-March opening, so swing by 5-1-103 Xingfu Sancun next to the Jenny Lou's around St. Paddy's Day and see what an urban eatery looks like.

Other things to keep on the radar are new dessert offerings (think bite-sized and cheap for maximum variety) from Lucky Lopez and upcoming change to Brussels' food menu.

Excited for eating in Year of the Snake? Good, so am I.