Capital Bites: Bits and Pieces
New dining spots are joining the Sanlitun northern area, including Kura Kura and Sunnie, which will become new neighbors to Jerusalem and The Butcher’s Steakhouse.
Kura Kura has a polished red interior, offering a short menu that’s not overwhelming, yet focuses on a series of Western-Japanese food ranging from croquettes and curry rice to milk pudding and cheese cake. Run by the same owner of Ichikura Izakaya, Kura Kura also serves as a bar with a wide selection of whiskies.
For American food lovers, Sunnie offers a whole range of American fare at reasonable prices, including a noticeable selection of pies that are especially suitable for those on a tight budget. I tried the chocolate peanut butter pie (RMB 18) and it was not bad, but that was to be expected of owners Sun and Ni, who are former chefs at American Steak and Eggs.
Lower and across the street, Bocata is about to update its menu by adding more sandwich options and deleting unpopular items. Nearby restaurant Element Fresh has also recently introduced new creations that suit the upcoming autumn (recommend French onion soup, RMB 58 and white tuna steak, RMB 148) and winter (a Christmas dinner set, RMB 428) seasons. Go for a decent cup of double espresso (RMB 24) or any other drink at Fisheye Café, and you’ll get a lovely cupcake from The Lollipop Bakery for free. Decent pies are available here, too, delivered from Pie House.
Another sweet bite goes to Shangdu Soho North Tower, where a Japanese patisserie called GS Guangsheng Xidian (光胜西点) just opened two weeks ago, specializing in roll cakes (RMB 12) with a Japanese twist. Try the entire black devil; you’ll definitely be satisfied if you adore plump black sesame cream rolled by an equally black sponge roll. If you’ve ever found yourself missing Mon chou-chou, a signature sweet imported from Japan at the Shanghai Expo, here is your chance to now try an alternative in Beijing, if only for curiosity’s sake. By the way, I found a better version of plain roll cake (only made up of sponge and cream) at Pekotan (RMB 15), a hearty place that seldom disappoints. Check it out if you happen to shop at Jenny Lou's latest branch in Central Park area.
For Lucky Street strollers, Yue Restaurant & Bar, an underground two-floor place serving as both a restaurant (B1/F) and bar (B2/F), is in its soft opening with a modern industry decoration. Head chefs imported from Da Dong Roast Duck and South Beauty are offering a menu of contemporary Chinese cuisine with a Sichuan and Hunan touch, according to the general manager Alex Sun. Stay tuned for a report in an upcoming review.
As Thanksgiving Day is around the corner, A Food Affaire at April Gourmet has already begun to sell pre-orders of roast turkey, while Daoxiangcun (稻香村) is offering Chonyang Huagao (重阳花糕, RMB 26/ 500g), a traditional rice cake stuffed with nuts to celebrate the upcoming Double Ninth Festival (Oct 16th).
