The interior of Line Bar is a bit like one of those classy opium dens of yore, with a mix of traditionally styled Chinese furniture that can be a little awkward with your knees constantly bumping underneath.

There are already so many places in this area that create crafty signature drinks, and it can be hard to outdo many of the more established joints like Hidden House with similar prices and quality.

A previously announced crackdown on two and three-wheel vehicles now appears to be underway, once again putting the spotlight on unlicensed drivers and their vehicles.

Although a rumor circulating in Beijing that all three-wheelers are about to be banned seems unfounded, riders of both should expect greater checks of licenses and registration papers. Three-wheelers are often approved for use by families who have a member with limited mobility, but those license are sometimes abused for commercial purposes.

Cantonese food has always held a special place in my heart; it was the first “real” Chinese food I was exposed to when I visited Hong Kong at the tender age of ten. I was fascinated with the tanks of wriggling sea creatures and exotic ingredients back then, but as my palette has matured, I have learned to appreciate the cuisine for its ability to capture and preserve the best of fresh ingredients. Even so, a good Cantonese meal is surprisingly difficult to come across in the northern capital.

The Beijinger Burger Cup 2014 rolls into the Sweet 16 (Savory 16? Salty 16?) today, with almost all top seeds intact.

In the only upset of the round of 32, Lush (#5 seed) downed Flamme (#4 seed); meanwhile all other top 4 seeded burger joints are into the Round of 16.

How do you keep your family healthy in Beijing? Find out next Sunday (Sep 14) at our Family Health Fair!

This free, kid-centric fair is designed to get your family up-to-date with surviving and thriving in Beijing.

After a kid kicked my seat for four and a half hours on a red-eye from San Francisco to Newark, I've thought a lot about earlier posts regarding the need for family-friendly airline facilities and late-night flights in general. This also dovetails with recent issues in the US about reclining seats.

It’s an unfortunate Beijing reality but I’ve probably spent more time waiting for cabs that’ll never come, and haggling with black cab drivers over unreasonable prices, than I’ve spent in a cab. Maybe it’s because I live in Shunyi but most legitimate cab drivers won’t take me and black cabs use it as an opportunity to quote outrageous prices. So I’ve found two alternative ways to get around Beijing.

It is an unfortunate truth that Beijing is synonymous with greasy late night hot pot adventures and stomachsearing Sichuan. It takes hefty willpower to eat healthy. Vegetables can barely make it to the plate without getting doused in oil.

What song has the most plays on your iTunes?
"Play, Pause & Stop" by the Benevento Russo Duo. That song has everything: a killer melody, a massive groove and it's happily sad. It's the best 6am song ever written.

Can you play any instruments? If so, what?
I'm a bassist but the real answer is I play music, not an instrument. An instrument is just a way to communicate the music inside you. If you focus on the instrument, it's easy to get trapped.