Capital Bites: Popsicle Scandal, Hakka at Houhai Closed and Yannick Alleno Gala Dinner
Sure, it's getting hot, but you might want to think twice about cooling down with a popsicle. Or at least choose wisely: the Global Times reported yesterday that dangerously high bacteria levels were found in the Ruihua brand of classic popsicles. In restaurant news, Han Cang, the popular Hakka restaurant at Houhai, has served its last. On a happier note, Shangri-La Hotel Beijing will be hosting a gala dinner at Michelin chef Yannick Alleno's S.T.A.Y., alongside other great chances to wine and dine.
Authorities halted production of Ruihua popsicles after finding frighteningly high levels of coliform bacteria in recent samples - which they believe can only happen by fecal contamination. Gross. Read more here, and please do think carefully about what you suck on this summer.
Sure, there are lots of openings we're excited about (Q Mex Bar & Restuarant, Pavillion Grille, Max Levy's Radio, etc.), but the other (sadder) side of the coin is that it seems we're hearing about big closures every other day, too (Annie's at Changhong Qiao, Asian Star restaurant, etc.). Now, those who've enjoyed salt-baked shrimp and foil-wrapped perch with lakeside views will have to get their Hakka fix elsewhere. (But where? A search on our directory can help you out with that.)
Meanwhile, we're still waiting on Invincible Ramen at Sanlitun Village (they've hacked their own sign to tell us they're opening in late May ... Guys? Already here), and Wagas tells us they're opening between June 8-15.
Lost Heaven, a snazzy Yunnan restaurant adored by Shanghai restaurant-goers, has arrived in Beijing and is soft opened at Chi'enmen 23. They should be rolling out to the public in the next couple weeks and we'll keep you posted when they do. We've had a taste and are very excited to see how this spot might shake things up in Chi'enmen - which, we should all admit, is sometimes a little too posh for its own good.
Speaking of posh, a few great dinner opportunities coming up:
Jaan at the Raffles Hotel is offering a new white asparagus menu starting this Friday, May 25, and lasting until Saturday, June 9. The 4-course a la carte menu (RMB 458+15%) includes crab and asparagus tartar, pan-fried scallops, steamed cod fish and a passion fruit vanilla creme brulee. They're calling it a "gastronomic joyride," which I'm afraid might hint at a more mobile experience than they have planned, but I'm sure the food will be good enough to "drive" you crazy. Badum-ching. Call for reservations (6526 3388 ext 4186).
S.T.A.Y. also has some great eats coming up. Chef Yannick Alleno will be in town planning an eight-course menu for the much-loved Gala Dinner series, happening next Wednesday, May 30, starting 5.30pm. French oysters, caviar, premium Kobe beef ... all accompanied by Dom Perignon and fine wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy. It's sure to be fabulous, and your tongue will party like it's 1998 (because that's how much it costs, plus 15% service).
If you're on a "budget," S.T.A.Y. will also host a Bordeaux Wine Dinner this Saturday, May 26 at 6.30pm (they eat early over at Financial Street). You'll enjoy great French cuisine and an exclusive selection of six Grand Cru wines. Cost: RMB 998+15%.
The nice thing about those prices is they make you feel like your normal expenditures are wonderfully cheap by comparison. Sure, let's go to Mosto for lunch! That's chump change!
