The Beijinger Blog - Openings and Closings

Hit The Slopes Before They Melt

thebeijinger — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

The ski season is starting to wind down. It's time to strap your skis on and hit the slopes before all that lovely powder turns to shui. Here’s a list of ski resorts, plus some organized trips if you don’t want to arrange it all yourself.

Yes, snowboarders are welcome too.

Talking Pints: Migas, Valentine's Day, Music Festival Rumors and More

thebeijinger — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0800

What's going on this week in Bars & Clubs? There are openings, dragons, qipaos, tattoos, love, hate, comedy and quizzes. Not all in the same bar, unfortunately.

Capital Bites: Valentine's, Veal, Pasta and Pingtan

thebeijinger — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0800

With Valentine's Day approaching, new pasta deals at Flamme and much more to report, here we are with this week's roundup of the latest news, gossip and scandal from Beijing's restaurant scene. Let's go!

Capital Bites: Pizza Preview, Hot Dogs, Indian Opening, Gourmet Desserts And More

thebeijinger — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0800

Hungry? You will be soon. With news on a promising new pizza restaurant, a hot new Indian restaurant, hot dogs in Sanlitun Village, desserts to die for in China World Hotel and the latest whereabouts of all-star chefs Max Levy and Zach Lewison, here's a quick roundup of the latest Beijing restaurant news ...

Talking Pints: NL Sports Bar, Rum, Migas, Hidden Lounge and Offside

thebeijinger — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0800

A few hours later than normal – lots going on this week – here's your weekly check-in on what's making the news in Beijing's bars.

The Ship Has Sailed: Bon Voyage to ShopWeShip.com

thebeijinger — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

Expats who rely on the material comforts of home may be disheartened to hear that ShopWeShip.com, previously known as Dong-Xi.com, has just announced that it will soon be discontinuing its services.

ShopWeShip.com was first established to give Chinese residents access to e-commerce sites that only shipped to US billing addresses. Back then, our options were few – we could hardly find quality Western food around town, let alone chic clothes from mid- to high-end retailers.

Twilo: Hidden Drinks and Dancing at Guanghua Lu

thebeijinger — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0800

If Twilo existed in a cartoon, it would probably be hidden inside a seemingly innocuous tree trunk. As with Haze, a few meters away, an extremely steep staircase leads you to the basement dance floor – although at Twilo you emerge awkwardly behind the DJ booth. At least it looks good, thanks to a futuristic, contoured design.

Doron: Suntory Time on Dongzhimen

thebeijinger — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

Accessed via struggling Italian restaurant Abella, Doron falls short of the impressive standards set by other Japanese bars. The shabby, threadbare carpeted stairs up to the bar inspire little confidence, and the decor does nothing to alleviate those doubts. The space is split between a lounge with deep couches, and a fully stocked but uninspiring bar area whose design appears inspired by a back-alley pool hall.

Wu: Wudaokou's Latest Club

thebeijinger — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

When I go out with friends on a Friday night, I want a good bar with cheap drinks and plenty of space to dance. This new club answers on both counts. Inheriting the space most recently used by the short-lived Mango Club, Wu is all black and red decor, with raw, unplastered walls. (Designer Paul Gelinas also worked on The Bridge Cafe and owns Guozijian store Lost & Found.)

Fowl Play: A Different Duck at Bianyifang

thebeijinger — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

Bianyifang might be Beijing’s oldest duck roasters, but long have they lurked in the feathery shadow of another time-honored brand. One hundred and fifty years ago, Quanjude took the former’s fowl, crisped the skin over a fruit-wood flame and rolled it in pancakes. They haven’t looked back since.

Perhaps they ought to, for the granddaddies appear to be making a comeback. This shiny new branch of Bianyifang can seat around 400 diners (and that’s less than half the capacity of the restaurant they opened at Qianmen last year).