Capital Bites Extra: Aroma Brunch, Khajuraho, Milly's, Yummy Box and More

Another dose of food-related news for you this lunchtime, with details of champagne brunch on Saturdays, another new Indian restaurant in Sanlitun, a new cake shop in Nali Patio, and how pizza is threatening to take over China View.

First of all, last week we mentioned Aroma's new Saturday brunch (RMB 558+15% for brunch with free-flow champagne, RMB 488+15% for brunch with wine but not champagne). We reckon the restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Beijing (behind Shin Kong Place) is the first to offer hotel-style champagne brunching on a Saturday. Champagne brunch on a Saturday seems like an obviously good idea, but nobody has made it a regular event until now.

Regardless of which day it's on, Aroma's brunch is among the very best brunches in Beijing, at least by my reckoning. The selection isn't the biggest, but they've focused on quality items that are worth coming especially for - lobster, oysters, roast beef, Beijing duck, cheese, cold cuts and more. There's nothing among the spread that you want to skip, and to me that's the mark of a top-class brunch.

Next on the list, Khajuraho, an Indian restaurant with plans for a succession of openings around Beijing, has finally opened in Sanlitun Soho. It's on the west side of Soho, just opposite Yu bar. Looking forward to trying that out.

A new cake shop called Milly's will hold their opening party on Saturday night (Mar 3) on the third floor of Nali Patio. That goes from 9pm-midnight, and the invite is open to all who care to join.

Yummy Box is a new pizza joint on the east side of China View. Beijing Boyce has all the news, including an observation that China View is almost overrun with pizza options, from Annie's and Gung Ho! to the excellent Da Giuseppe. Also from the same source, news that Mosto has taken over the space next door and will be expanding. Visit Mr. Boyce's blog for that story.

Run by Westin Financial Street, but based in the basement of the Season's Place mall, Ellingen Brauhaus is now open and serving German food and beer brewed on-site. A colleague attended a dinner there on Saturday night and had good things to say.

Finally, I'll bother you with the usual reminders to vote in the Reader Restaurant Awards and make your reservations for Beijing Restaurant Week, but I will say no more than that.

PHOTO: Iain Shaw