Capital Bites: Cafe Zarah Closure, Cronuts and New Free Delivery
There seems to be no avoiding it now: winter is coming. The chills have set in ... and just in time for Halloween. Nearly everyone has something going on (check our massive guide to the holiday) and some of the holiday spirit has already gotten swinging. The Local starts accepting carved pumpkins tomorrow (through Halloween), so get your knives a-whittling. In return for your artistry, you'll get a free hot drink (limit one per person per day) and the chance to win a prize for the best carved pumpkin at their Halloween festivities.
What about those pumpkin insides? It's soup season finally, and even if you can't be bothered to make your own, you'll be running into it at restaurants across town. Migas just introduced a particularly lovely looking one (pictured above) and we're looking forward to getting a slurp soon.
Though Halloween and Thanksgiving have not even come to pass, some minds are already thinking about Christmas. We did have a chance to swing by Opera Bombana last week, where the team has been sweating behind the oven for weeks to perfect the perfect panettone. Their version of the traditional Italian christmas bread is exceptionally light and buttery with notes of lemon rippling through the soft crumb of the loaf. The kitchen has secured the highest-quality fruits – bits of candied lemons and oranges from Italy, outstanding raisins from Xinjiang sourced by Okra's Max Levy – and sprinkled them throughout. The loaves run for RMB 228 each which may seem a pretty penny for a carbohydrate, but the value is there, particularly for gifts to that special Italian in your life. They'll continue refining the recipe as the weather changes so call ahead to make sure they are in stock.
The Opera kitchen has also been working on cronuts. Sucked into the trend by special request, they have three flavors (chocolate, pistachio and marscapone) at the moment. The hip treat isn't yet on their regular menu, but plans are in the works to supply them to Parkview Green's Illy Cafe.
The news in Shunyi is that Switch! Cafe, the remaining outpost of Culinary Capers, has joined Switch! Grill in the graveyard. Their doors may now be shuttered, but if the reason is what we've heard – that the catering business is keeping them more than busy enough – it's not the worst cause for closure.
But if you're looking to stay home-bound in this increasingly chilly weather, Shunyi delivery options just increased by two. Pintotage Plaza Deli and Coffee Shop has just begun free deliveries twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays). Inquires for further details and orders should be emailed here 24 hours in advance. Free deliveries are also offered for wine, with a minimum of one case (six bottles per case).
The Filling Station is also now offering free delivery to Shunyi locals. Daily from 3-9.30pm they will be serving the areas of Quan Fa, Harrow Campus, Lane Bridge, Riviera and WAB. Check here for the menu and to order online.
Plan B is in the process of expanding their kitchen, and we're excited to see what new delights the bigger space will churn out. Towards the end of summer, they launched a trio of new burgers (RMB 50 each) including a lamb burger, a BBQ Hawaiian burger with a pork patty, ham, and pineapple slathered in BBQ sauce, and an Aussie burger with a beef patty, cheese, grilled onion, beetroot and a fried egg.
The lamb burger and Aussie burger were particularly excellent – and this was even after several months of eating massive quantities of burgers for the Burger Cup madness. Bacon and pineapple are available as add-on's for a minimal cost of RMB 10 each and slap a Tiger beer onto your burger order for a paltry 10 kuai as well.
On Guloudong Dajie, Cafe Zarah will be closing for a few months to undergo renovations. No word yet on the expected date for reopening, but we'll keep you posted as we hear.
The whirlwind of a street called Xingfucun Zhonglu has more happening. Next to Comptoirs de France and across from April Gourmet, long-standing Italian sandwich shop Panino Giusto has closed. If all goes as the plans stand now, sandwiches will prevail and Hercules will be opening a new outlet in the space.
Photos: Migas, Cat Nelson
Email: catnelson@thebeijinger.com
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