Capital Bites: Win Ocean Grounds Coffee and Home Filter, Plus Blue Frog Opening Party

We're awaiting some big openings in September, including the new Eatalia, Jeff Powell's Back Alley Bistro and more, but we're closing out August with a couple of parties and specials, as well as the opening of the Godiva Cafe and a kickoff to mooncakes. Plus, we've got some goodies from Ocean Grounds ...

We're giving away a small starter pack of Ocean Grounds coffee and a home filter to a lucky reader! The coffee is a light El Salvadorean bean and was freshly roasted on August 24. To win, just email us at win@thebeijinger.com with your answer to the question: What is the original German name for J.S. Bach's "Coffee Cantata"?

Blue Frog opens at Indigo this Friday, August 31, with a party benefitting Operation Smile. RMB 100 gets you drinks for the night with all proceeds going to the NGO, which serves children with cleft lip and cleft palate. Celebrate the restaurant's new opening and help out some kids in need.

Another reminder: Saveurs de Coree is doing its bibimbap special tomorrow, August 29, from 6-10pm with the option of either grilled steak or classic bibimbap with a glass of Grace Vineyard's "Tao Fu" wine. More at Beijing Boyce's site here.

The Godiva Cafe at the Sanlitun Village has officially soft-opened, with extravagant-looking desserts and drinks on offer. We'll sniff it out soon and let you know our thoughts.

We gave Eastern Fusion Sushi a whirl. First impressions: ambitious with a very sushi-focused menu (nagiri, sashimi platters and of course some rolls). Look out for a fuller review coming Friday.

Mooncake season is starting to ramp up, with the China World Hotel hosting a grand unveiling of their mooncakes yesterday evening. Our favorites were the chocolate mousse with raspberry jam and the tiramisu, but we're not claiming to be traditionalists here.

Coming up, Hatsune is celebrating their 11th Anniversary next week，on Thursday, September 6. Hearty congratulations and more info to come, but for now you should know that tickets are selling fast. They're RMB 100 presale and RMB 200 at the door, so buy 'em early at both Hatsune locations (Guanghua Lu and Sanlitun Village). Canapes and plenty of drinks will be flowing.

Eat well.

Photos: Marilyn Mai