To Try List: Chili's to Open in Solana, Din Tai Fung Returns & More
Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, food and drink fests, guest shifts, pop-ups and more foodie happenings in Beijing.
Chili's is set to open a second branch in Solana, Din Tai Fung returns to Beijing, new cocktail bar Side By Side is set to open and more on our To Try List this week.
Chili's to Open in Solana and New Juice Series Launched
After opening their first Beijing branch in Zhongguancun in December last year, Chili's is now set to open a second branch in Solana. The slated opening date is in May and while we don't have many exact details yet, we expect they'll be serving up their usual array of signature Tex-Mex dishes and drinks.
Along with the new branch, Chili's also recently announced a new fresh pressed juice series for spring. Made from 100 percent fresh fruit and vegetables, they've got four different blends to choose from: The Hulk, Sunrise Glow, Vitamin C Rocket and Berry Bliss (all RMB 38). The new juices are available at their Zhongguancun branch now and you can see more details in the poster above.
Chili's Zhongguancun branch
02, 2/F, East Area, Zhongguancun Art Park, Haidian District
海淀区中关村大融城东区2层02室
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-midnight
Phone: 135 2123 8823
Din Tai Fung Returns to Beijing with New Kerry Center Branch
Anyone who was saddened when Din Tai Fung bid goodbye to the capital in 2024 will be pleased to know that they've now made a return to Beijing! The new branch is located in the basement of the Kerry Center and is currently in soft opening, only operating for lunch and dinner service. The menu has seen a few changes, but you can still get signature dishes like Pork Xiaolongbao (RMB 48/six), a variety of other xiaolongbao, Pork and Shrimp Shaomai (RMB 60/six pieces) and more.
Din Tai Fung
B/1, Kerry Center Beijing, Chaoyang District
朝阳区北京嘉里中心B1层
Soft opening hours: 11.30am-2pm; 5pm-8pm
Phone: 157 1280 9535
New Cocktail Bar Side By Side Comes to Dongsi
This Thursday (Mar 12), a brand-new cocktail bar called Side By Side, or SBS, is having its official opening party. Located in Dongsi, SBS will be taking over the night shift at CENCHI Coffee. A sibling of uh-huh and Tangled, SBS is a cocktail bar focused on pairing, where diverse tastes are created from one ingredient. Here they'll be serving experimental, signature concoctions as well as classic cocktails. You can read more details about the new spot here.
Side By Side
114 Dongsi Nan Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四南大街114号
Hours: 7.30pm-2am
Q Mex Launches Taco World Series
Q Mex has just launched a new Taco World Series where every three to four weeks, they'll be showcasing fusion taco creations inspired by countries from around the world. Their first edition has already landed: Korean Bulgogi Tacos (RMB 58/for two). It features Bulgogi beef, kimchi, spring onions, gochujang-spiced mayo and sesame seeds.
They've also given a sneak peek of the upcoming editions as well, next will be USA-inspired Smash Burger Tacos, followed by Thai-flavored Red Curry Chicken Tacos, you can see more details about both in the poster above. Q MEX's Taco World Series is available across all five branches, you can see details for each location in the poster below.
Great Leap Introduces a New Brunch Free Flow Deal
Great Leap has just started a new free flow deal to pair with their weekend brunch dishes. Now every Sat-Sun, from 11am to 4pm, patrons can enjoy three hours of free flow on selected beverages for RMB 168. Along with the new free flow deal, they've also added a new brunch dish to their menu: Beef Shakshuka (RMB 68), a meaty version of the classic North African and Middle Eastern dish, it sees eggs poached in a spicy beef tomato sauce. The brunch and free flow deal is available across all Great Leap locations except the Doujiao Hutong branch, you can see details in the poster below.
Continental Breakfast Menu Comes to Panorama
Panorama is now offering a Continental Breakfast Menu, which will be available on weekdays from 8.30am to 10am. It features smaller offerings such as Croissants (RMB 15), more hearty options like the Brittany Breakfast (RMB 68), which includes sunny-side eggs, avocado, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes and mushrooms served with whole wheat bread. Then they've also got sweet treats like Panorama French Toast (RMB 25), which is topped with berries, salted caramel sauce and powdered sugar. You can read more details about the new menu here.
Panorama
81 Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯机电院81号
Breakfast hours: Mon-Fri, 8.30am-10am
Phone: 010 6506 1893
READ: Three Things for the Week Ahead in Beijing (Mar 9-15)
Images: the Beijingers, courtesy of the venues, RedNote, Dianping
