24 for ’24: #4 COMMUNE With Refreshing Spring Flavors

24 for ‘24 is a series showcasing 24 of Beijing’s best places to drink, eat, and relax in 2024, to help folks get out of the house and into all these great F&B spots around the city.

Spring is well underway in the capital, and what better way to embrace it than with COMMUNE’s new spring offerings? Carefully crafted to awaken your taste buds and bring the season’s freshness to your plate, they have some truly delightful dishes and drinks now available at all three of COMMUNE’S locations, including COMMUNE RESERVE, COMMUNE•X in Taikooli, and COMMUNE at Zhongjun Funworld. 

A main part of their menu update is their “sweet and juicy” series, which plays on seasonal ingredients and tastes for an array of refreshing options that are ideal for enjoying outside in the warm spring sunshine. 

We here at the Beijinger love nothing more than a new burger in town, so let's kick off this menu tour with COMMUNE’s latest burger concoction, which we'd have to admit is definitely a winner! Named the Our Wagyu Cheese Burger (RMB 88) it sees a fresh Wagyu beef patty grilled until still slightly pink in the center, then covered in secret sauce, tangy cheddar cheese, and red wine caramelized onions all sandwiched inside a fluffy brioche bun. The sweetness of the onion and richness of the red wine perfectly complement the Wagyu, and the simple, classic flavors allow the high quality beef to really shine. 

It’s not just the new burger that’s got us excited though, they’ve also added two new pizzas, another of our favorite things! First up is the Basil Sausage Pizza (RMB 128) which features a homemade pesto base layered with creamy mozzarella, chunks of basil-infused sausage, roasted red bell peppers, and a sprinkling of basil leaves to create a pizza that just bursts with flavor and spring freshness. The other new pizza addition is a classic Pepperoni Pizza (RMB 108), which has a San Marzano tomato base seasoned with garlic and oregano, combined with a generous helping of mozzarella and delicate slices of pepperoni. 

Moving on to lighter options for the more health conscious, they’ve got some tantalizing new salads that perfectly embody the essence of spring. There is the super fresh Citrus Cheese Salad (RMB 98) which pairs marinated grapefruit and orange slices with red wine-infused spiced pears on a bed of mixed greens all finished with a smattering of Combi – a soft cheese similar to Feta made from skimmed milk – to cut through the sweetness. Or for a more savory option, there is the Bresaola Salad (RMB 108) which takes bresaola – thinly sliced Italian cured beef – and mixes it with pumpkin, Mexican black beans, red bell peppers, almond flakes, and Parmigiano Reggiano. 

Now, back to more hearty, carby offerings. There's the new Pasta Frutti Di Mare (RMB 98) aka seafood pasta for those unversed in Italian. Mussels, squid, prawns and other seasonal seafood are simmered in a rich homemade San Marzano tomato sauce then mixed with luscious strands of spaghetti for a dish that brings a forkful of seaside freshness with each bite. 

The final dish in their “sweet and juicy” series is the Classic Fish and Chips (RMB 88). Large chunks of fish fillet are coated in homemade craft beer batter, and fried until a beautiful golden brown then served with a side of fries, coleslaw, a tangy lemon aioli and ketchup. 

Along with the “sweet and juicy” series, they’ve also added a few new dishes to their all day brunch menu including yet another of our favorite things here at the Beijinger: tacos! They’ve got two new breakfast tacos on the menu, the first is the decadent Smoked Salmon Egg Taco (RMB 52), in which smoked salmon and scrambled eggs are wrapped in a pumpkin pancake finished with a garnish of sautéed mushrooms. The second is the Avocado Taco (RMB 52), diced avocado is mixed with a refreshing tomato salsa, onions, Mexican black beans, and grilled corn.

For a super healthy start to the day that isn't taco-related, they also have Coconut Oat Porridge (RMB 35) which sees blueberries and bananas combined with oatmeal and topped with a sprinkling of coconut flakes and crunchy granola. 

It’s not just the food that’s been given a spring update, there are also some new offerings in the drinks department. On the alcoholic front, they’ve got the Stout Coffee Martini (RMB 68) that swaps out the traditional coffee liqueur for a stout beer with caramelized malt notes which adds a layer of sweetness to the bitterness of the coffee.

Another twist on a classic is the Margaret (RMB 68), their own version of a margarita which combines lemon and orange juice with a healthy dash of tequila and comes served with a lime wedge to squeeze into the drink at your own discretion. 

For teetotalers or those not wishing to imbibe they’ve got a range of refreshing iced teas: Lychee Iced Tea (RMB 38) featuring lychee pulp mixed with clear tea, infused with mint leaves, fresh orange juice, and sparkling water; Long Island Iced Lemon Tea (RMB 38) that mixes black tea with mint leaves and cranberry juice; and Classic Lemon Iced Tea (RMB 38), just the simple combination of black tea and lemon. 

There is no better way to partake in these succulent spring delights than soaking in some rays outside. Whether in the leafy surroundings of COMMUNE RESERVE’s garden, overlooking the sights of Sanlitun on COMMUNE•X’s terrace or enjoying the hustle and bustle outside COMMUNE at Zhongjun Funworld get out there and embrace spring!

READ: 24 for '24 Restaurant Series

Images: Uni You, courtesy of COMMUNE