EAT: New Venues for 2015 and Last Minute NYE Dining

Look out for a bevy of new venues to help you through the start of the 2015. 

Although we're saddened by the loss of Tavalin Bagels, we're looking forward to Andy's Craft Sausages taking over the space and turning it into a New York-style deli at the beginning of the month. Expect deli favorites like corned beef (as well as his famous sausages of course) served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Over in Jianguomen, proprietor of Cuju Moroccan Bistro & Rummery Badr Benjelloun is opening a second venue called Caravan. He says the venue will have a different feel from Cuju, but we expect there'll still be plenty of rum and authentic Moroccan food. Photos over on their Facebook page show that the space will boast a fetching brick bar topped with repurposed hutong doors. Although the official opening date has yet to be announced, Caravan will be running a special New Year's meal for those lucky enough to reserve in time. Dinner starts at 8.30pm, with RMB 150 bagging you dinner, a drink, and "reggae and Latin vibes into midnight countdown". We suggest swinging by Cuju to bag yourself a spot ASAP.

Like meatballs? Like to have them delivered to your door? Then you'll love The Meatball Company. The new foodie start up offers meals of four meatballs (beef, pork, or chicken) served with homemade bread and a choice of sauce for RMB 38, to a delivery area centered around Nanluogu Xiang and covering Sanlitun (delivery starts at RMB 15). They will start taking orders via their WeChat account (@themeatballcompany) on January 1. 

Finally, if you still haven't decided on a venue to see out the remaining hours of 2014 tomorrow, I've picked a few of the best dining options below:
 

Opera Bombana
If you're looking for somewhere special to celebrate New Year's Eve, then I would heartily suggest Opera Bombana, who are offering a majestic eight course menu for the occasion. The menu will set you back RMB 1,088 per person, with the option to add paired wines for RMB 500. All guests will receive Champagne to toast the new year. 
 

Pinotage
Pinotage should be a fun and casual choice for New Year's Eve, with a South African braai (barbecue buffet) (RMB 388) to get you through the first part of the evening, followed by a canape buffet until midnight (RMB 150). Choose just one, or go the whole hog and stay for the evening. 
 

EatwithChef and Tribe
If you'd prefer to get your New Year's resolutions started early, choose to spend New Year's Eve at Tribe, who have teamed up with private dining platform EatwithChef to offer a health-giving menu. Dishes include red curry coconut and shrimp soup and harissa roast chicken. Visit their event booking page for more details.

More stories by this author here.

Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Gablif (Flickr), Caravan Beijing