Beijing's Best New Brunches: Summer 2020 Edition
Beijing's terraces are well and truly open, teeming with hungry diners eager to replenish the vitamin D and nutrients that have all but depleted over the last few months. And just like creamy hollandaise sauce pairing perfectly with runny sunny egg yolks, what goes better with a terrace than brunch? Below are some of the newer, summer-specific options now available around town.
Bottega Xinyuanli
Bottega has teamed up with Jason Oakley and Carlos Sotomayor, formerly of Shanghai's Scarpetta and Tomatillo, to overhaul its Italian brunch menu. The result is 14 new dishes including buttery scrambled eggs with speck and Parmigiano-Reggiano, Tuscan sausage and bean stew, and Amaretti cheesecake, just to name a few. Those join the usual pizza favorites as well as larger sharing items such as a selection of lightly battered and deep-fried seafood and zuppa di pesce with garlic bread for mopping.
How much and when?: À la carte, add RMB 188 prosecco and cocktails such as spritz, negroni, and espresso martini. Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am-2.30pm.
Char and Top Tapas, Intercontinental Sanlitun
Intercontinental's new "Bee Brunch" is now available at their two venues, Char and Top Tapas, both of which boast superlative views over Sanlitun. While the apicultural theme may be elusive past the poster and the PR-referenced honeycomb exterior of the hotel, the food is anything but lacking. You're sure to leave full on account of a good mix of breakfast and lunch items, including a starter of eggs and sides, mains including shakshuka, pan-fried salmon, prawn linguini, steak and eggs, wagyu sliders, and more, as well as dessert. As a twist, brunch is also available Monday.
How much and when?: Three courses for RMB 258 or four for RMB 288, plus RMB 68 free-flow soft drinks and coffee or tea, add RMB 108 for bubbles, and RMB 488 for free-flow Moët and Chandon. Saturday through Monday, 11.30am-3pm.
Migas
Never ones to waste their magnificent views of CBD, Migas Mercado has revamped their brunch menu, brimming with classics like eggs benedict and their signature Migas club sandwich, as well as more traditional dishes like Spanish pork with rice, mushrooms, and green asparagus. Top it off with two hours of free-flow and you've got yourself some fun in the sun.
How much and when?: À la carte, add RMB 168 for two-hours free-flow sangria, cava, bloody mary's, cocktails, and soft drinks. Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am-2.30pm.
Mosto
To accompany their new look, Mosto has overhauled their weekend brunch menu with new dishes such as steak and eggs, fresh clam casserole, "over-the-top" avocado toast, and both sweet and savory pancake stacks. There are also old favorites like their eggs benedict and royale, roast chicken for two, and a variety of juices and shakes.
How much and when?: À la carte, add RMB 188 for two-hours free-flow bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis, screwdrivers, Aperol spritz, micheladas, house wine, sparkling water, and soft drinks. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-3pm.
Mulu Hutong
One of the most intimate and original brunches on this list, Mulu Hutong have updated their all-you-can-eat kopitiam brunch – a long-time Malaysian Chinese tradition – to include several new dishes. The menu chock-full of favorites such as their signature sarawak laksa, bakcho mee pok (flat noodles splashed with oil and topped with mincemeat), nasi lemak, kaya butter toast, and bubur cha cha (various fruit and sweet potato in coconut milk). The best part is, when you find a dish you're particularly fond of, you can just re-up to your heart's content.
How much and when?: RMB 168 all you can eat (includes one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, or milk tea), add RMB 88 for free-flow drinks. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2.30pm.
Rive Gauche
The Puxuan's Rive Gauche has similarly taken their brunch game to the next level, opening up their NAMOC and Jingshan-facing terrace for a four-course set menu of salad (quinoa, green, or niçoise), an egg course (eggs benedict, poached on wheat, or an omelet), a main of veal shank or smoked salmon with potato carrot soup, and dessert of lava cake, banana bread sundae, or sorbet with seasonal fruit. Following a recent tasting, we can attest to these portions being massive (the shank alone could feed a small family). So big in fact that there is a two-diner minimum, which they suggest further divvying up between four.
How much and when?: RMB 388, add a Champagne pairing for 50 percent off or a wine pairing for 20 percent off. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2.30pm.
Slow Boat
Head to Slow Boat's Sanlitun Brewpub for their all-new weekend brunch, including classics like homemade hashbrowns, spicy fried chicken and waffles, and French toast. Or opt for something a little more modern like the blue cheese omelet, vegan plate, charcuterie and cheese platter, pumpkin pancakes, or a yogurt bowl with dried fruit. Wash it all down with their DIY mimosas or any of the 15 brews available on tap.
How much and when?: À la carte. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-3pm.
READ: How the Australian Trade Spat Could Affect Your Beer and Steak in Beijing
Images courtesy of the organizers
