Capital Bites: Hello Kitty Anticipation, Temple Brunching and Win New Year's Dinner!

Growing up without an extended family around, Christmas was always a perfunctory affair with just a couple of gifts and maybe a short holiday. Why break with tradition this year? I will be fleeing for slightly warmer shores shortly. However, if you, dear Reader, are staying in Beijing, we've got some glorious eating options for you, and also a chance to win a New Years' dinner for two (including free-flow alcohol) at Kerry's Kitchen in the newly-renovated Kerry Hotel. Trust me, it's pretty swish.

If you're still looking for a holiday meal out, here's a veggie option. The Veggie Table will be running four days (Dec 23-26) of their Chrismukkah set menu. It's RMB 208, with more details available here.

If you're still looking for a holiday meal, and want lots of options, check out our Christmas dining blog posts here, here, here and here.

I got really excited on Tuesday night (Dec 20) because I thought Hello Kitty Dreams was finally, finally open. How I wanted to dig into kitty-faced mousse and nom adoringly into a sandwich with kitties grilled into the top. It seems their official opening day has been pushed back yet again to Dec 23.

Temple Restaurant Beijing is quietly making themselves known. I think they're still technically in soft opening mode, but they've recently launched a weekend brunch at RMB 350 per person, including tea or coffee. If you've been, do us a favor and let the rest of us know what you think in the directory.

New cafe Ocean Grounds is open in U-Town.

Frozen yogurteria YoGood has closed in Fulllink Plaza. Good luck to anyone else opening in that spot - it's a hard nut to crack.

Finally, I was at Kerry's Kitchen recently, trying their a la carte dinner option. As a dessert fanatic, I am fonder of their buffet lunch option (with amazing cake selection), but the quality of options at dinner is really incredibly impressive. Check out this sweet thing - pandan Swiss roll - with fresh fruit on the side. Maybe you'd like to give them a try? We have a voucher for two for New Year's dinner at Kerry's Kitchen (including free-flow alcohol!) and all you need to do for a chance to win is to answer one simple question: what's the worst New Year's resolution you've ever made? The winner will be picked at 10am next Monday (Dec 26) so get those entries in!

Anyway. An early happy holidays to you all! Remember to snack safely!

Photos: Susan Sheng