EAT: US Seafood Chain Red Lobster Opens in TKL, Colombia Independence Day at Mosto, Ichiban Street Expands

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

American Chain Red Lobster Opens in Taikoo Li

After openings its first China restaurant in Shanghai earlier in 2019, American chain Red Lobster has now opened its first Beijing restaurant in Taikoo Li South. Red Lobster is known for – no surprises here – seafood, as well as their Cheddar Bay biscuits, which are served with every meal. While we haven't visited yet (look out for a review very soon), early gossip around town is pretty positive so far. We'll definitely be heading over to check out their daily happy hour, which runs from 3-8pm and 10pm-closing and features buy-one-get-one-free beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as a selection of snacks like hot shrimp, lobster, and crab dip with corn chips. Cocktails will set you back around RMB 58 each, while snacks start from RMB 28 up to RMB 68 for the aforementioned lobster dip.

Jul 20: Mosto x La Social Colombia Independence Day Celebration

This Saturday, Jul 20, celebrate Colombian Independence Day, also known as Veinte de Julio, with Mosto and La Social in Nali Patio. They'll be serving a special menu of Colombian favorites like Colombian-style empanadas (pictured at top) stuffed with shredded beef and served with aji chili sauce, patacón (fried bananas served with red beans, shredded beef, avocado, tomato sauce, and Gruyere cheese sauce), and Cartagena-style shrimp ceviche created by Mosto chef Richard CaBa. After dinner, head just next door to party the night away at La Social. Reservations are recommended for dinner: call 13811325451 or email contact@mostobj.com.

Maizidian's Ichiban Street Expands

Finally, we were happily surprised to discover that Maizidian's Ichiban Street, the expansive two-floor one-stop shop for all your Japanese food and drink needs (including favorites Yume Wo Katare and Qimianting) has expanded to a second location just around the corner. The new venue, which used to be home to a Japanese restaurant prior to the enclosing building shuttering for renovation last year, maintains the same aesthetic as the Ichiban and houses close to ten small sake and yakitori bars. Watch this space for a full review in the coming days.

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Images: ricardocuisine.com, Red Lobster, Tom Arnstein