New Openings: Let's Gets into Pasta, New NLGX Crêpanini Offers Take-out Option

Lots of changes mean lots of choices for Beijingers this spring and summer. Not satisfied with burgers and seafood, the Let's franchise will expand into noodles with Let's Pasta in July, opening in Sanlitun Village South. The new venue will use a choose-your-own-pasta concept, including not only Italian, but also Hong Kong and Japanese-style recipes.

After two months of a low profile, Opera Bombana had their official opening on May 15. The significant space in Parkview Green from Michelin three-star chef Umberto Bombana adds Beijing to his Hong Kong and Shanghai locations of 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana. Also arriving on the Parkview Green scene is Alfie's, which opened with proper licenses in hand on May 15 as well.

This marks a big year for both NLGX Design Store and Crêpanini, two brands very well known to the Beijing local scene. For NLGX it marks their fifth anniversary at Nanluoguxiang that they celebrated with a total revamp of their flagship store there. The re-design will include a 15 sqm space where Crêpanini is going to open their third outlet, after Sanlitun Nali Patio and Parkview Green, but for the first time will introduce a "Crêpe to-go" concept designed especially for Nanluoguxiang. Both NLGX and Crêpanini will operate as separate businesses but with cross promotional offerings and discounts planned in the future.

Photo: Cat Nelson