Capital Bites: The New Vineyard in Sanlitun and Other Bits

Will Yorke of the Vineyard Cafe and The Vine Leaf has quietly sneaked east to a new spot he refers to charmingly as the "Vineyard Cafe (on the river)." That river is Liangmahe, and you'll find the newest outpost of his hutong institution on a diagonal street called Liangmahe Nanlu, which runs along the river from Dongzhimenwai Dajie to Xindong Lu.

Look forward to the same menu as the one at his original location on Wudaoying, but the new restaurant has multiple levels, a roof terrace, street parking and far shorter travel times for eastsiders. Hours are from 11.30am-11.30pm, with the kitchen open from 11.30-2.45pm (Sat-Sun until 3.15pm) and 6-10.15pm. As with the original location, the Vineyard Cafe on the river is closed on Mondays.

Gongti Xilu has had some turnover with the closure of Metro and the short-lived Tube. With a history of more than 15 years, Metro was one of the longest-running Western spots in town. Arguably, they've failed to keep up with the times and have been squeezed out by younger models – good for the progress of Beijing's dining landscape, but still a sad occasion for the sentimental among us. Signs are up for a place called Skewers (think "bar, roast, BBQ").

The 24-hour Shaanxi noodle joint Huanghe Shui has a new branch inside of Tianrui Hotel on Baishu Hutong near Dengshikou. You may know them from Gongti (near Fubar). Expect the same hearty noodle fare, but with a surprise "cross-cultural initiative" called "Taste of India" where the new branch will feature curries and biriyanis in addition to the expected Shaanxi cuisine.

Replacing Fisheye Cafe in Sanlitun's Village South will be Spanish confectioner Papabubble. Their colorful signage proclaims the "magic of sweets," "beauty of authenticity" and "new imaginations" which seem like fairly bold claims, but perhaps we'll be pleasantly surprised.

Photo: www.examiner.com, www.beijinghaochi.com