EAT: Hulu Shunyi First Look, Pebbles COVID-19 Menu, Bake Shop Daily Discounts

EAT: Your bite-sized guide to the best eats to be had in Beijing this week.

Hulu Shunyi launches this Friday

Shunyiites have another reason to celebrate the arrival of the May holiday: the opening of Hulu on Laiguangying Donglu. The space, formerly occupied by Fella's, has been completely revamped and now features the signature brushed bronzes, mirrored surfaces, and airy elegance that will be familiar to visitors of its inaugural venue in Sanlitun's Taikooli. Instead of baby blue, however, this second venue sports a lighter white and beige palette. The two-floor restaurant also has plenty of outdoor space, with one long terrace upstairs and a smaller seating area out front. Should those be packed – and they most likely will be – seating indoors looks equally as comfortable with large double-eaved doors opening up to the outside.

Our sister site beijingkids get the scoop on how TRB came to acquire the space: "During the beginning of the outbreak, when most restaurants in Beijing were closed, the Hulu by TRB team decided to do just the opposite. Swinging into action, they took over the kitchen of Fella’s in Shunyi – a popular local after-work bar – and used it as a kind of local distribution area for their delivery service. Despite the fact that Hulu had never previously offered delivery, and that they were working from a totally new kitchen and location, the gamble paid off in a big way. The delivery service was such a hit amongst Shunyi families, that Ignace Lecleir (founder of TRB) and his team decided to take over the space permanently."

The space officially opens on Friday, May 1. To make a reservation, message them via WeChat ID: ilovehuluforever. Before the crowds hit, enjoy some sneak peek shots of what to expect:

Meanwhile, TRB is running a white asparagus promotion across its outlets, including a five-course tasting menu at TRB Forbidden City, and a white asparagus platter and white asparagus salad at Hulu. If you'd rather prepare your "edible ivory" at home, Hulu Delivery Deli also has a freshly peeled and cooked asparagus cooking kit. Read about all of those promotions here.

New Pebbles COVID-19 delivery menu

Does Pebbles' Ray Heng ever sleep? We couldn't honestly tell you, but we do know that we're the benefactors of his unflinching work ethic. He'll be even busier now that his Wudaoying Hutong restaurant (and terrace!) has finally been able to reopen after three long months in lockdown. If you're looking to head down there, it's best to book ahead via the QR code below, or in the meantime continue to enjoy Pebbles' new delivery menu, available Tuesday to Sunday 4.30-8.30pm, which spans everything from tortas, tacos, burritos, pollo al carbon, and much more. Order on Tuesdays and get an extra taco with every taco set. Scan the QR code below to order:

The Bake Shop's daily discounts

As well as the slow return of local dim sum favorite Furongji, now open afternoons and evenings, The Orchid and its many F&B side projects are slowly blooming back to life (it helps that foreigners are once again allowed into their hutong, though booking ahead is still advised). Pro tip: hang out at The Bake Shop on any given afternoon and prepare to snap up any remaining baked goods with huge discounts between 5-6pm. More details on that here. Also, keep an eye out for news on The Bake Shop's new English online store, to be launched imminently.

Black Sesame Kitchen can now come to you

Considered one of the best guided Chinese dining experiences you can have in Beijing, Black Sesame Kitchen has built a strong following among visitors and locals alike for their foreigner-friendly communal dinners. Now, the team is offering to provide the same service without you even needing to leave your home or office. For a minimum of RMB 1,520 – the equivalent of their standard wine and dine for four – choose either their classic 10-course experience, buffet, or canape reception. Search WeChat ID: blacksesamekitchen for reservations.

San Wu Tang at Hotel Jen reopens

After having been closed since CNY, Hotel Jen's San Wu Tang has reopened with a lineup of new options, including several Beijing-style dishes such as jianbing, luzhu, xiaolongxia, braised pork knuckle with leek, malatang, and more, that aim to "stir up memories of old Beijing hutong lanes and Grandma’s cooking." For now, San Wu Tang will operate on an à la carte all-you-can-eat for RMB 198 basis rather than buffet-style.

Schindler's set lunch

READ: Can it Be? Woodstock of Eating Throw First Big Beijing Event Since Pre-Coronavirus

Images courtesy of the venues