Alameda

‘Contemporary cuisine with a Brazilian twist’ is one way of describing this new fashionable eatery. With the emphasis on fresh ingredients and a menu that changes daily depending on morning market buys, Alameda certainly promises a more creative culinary approach. For a ridiculously low RMB 60, the set lunch menu allows you to choose from a selection of starters, main courses and desserts including braised squid with paprika, garnished with thyme and focaccia, or the roasted chicken breast with cauliflower puree and paprika oil. Set menus in the evening feature more of the same for RMB 98 as well as some a la carte offerings, while Brazilian natives will be glad to hear that Saturdays is feijoada day, the black bean and meat stew that is surprisingly absent from every other Brazilian restaurant in town. The airy interior space, with its white washed walls, open plan kitchen and glass topped roof is the ideal location to unwind in the summer heat, and an extensive selection of wines, juices and fruity cocktails (passion fruit caipirinha RMB 35), Brasil colado (RMB 40), makes Alameda good venue for a drink or an alcohol-inspired siesta. Jul 04

• Sanlitun