New in the Neighborhood: The Latest in Taikooli

Joey Knotts, Contributing Editor | Jan 26, 2021 12:59 pm | Add a comment | 813 reads

To our surprise, there were plenty of new openings in 2020, and it seems that trend is continuing into the new year. The shops at Sanlitun's Taikooli have seen a fair share of newcomers, so let's take a look at what's fresh.

Tea drinkers are googoo over Gaga

No, we’re not referring to the Lady Gaga tune “Tea” from 2012. Gaga is, in fact, the latest tea shop to hit in Sanlitun’s Taikooli after becoming a smash hit in Shenzhen. But it’s far more than another counter-in-the-wall milk tea stand, or even your typical chill hangout and sip with a good book kind of spot – it’s actually a huge, two-story space that exudes an aura that might have you feeling a bit underdressed in a jeans and a hoodie, though you’d fit right in sporting a black turtleneck.

The overall design of the space is modern and floral, but what really makes it is the golden staircases that serve as much as an aesthetic piece as a functional installation (especially considering that guests are not yet allowed to sit on the second floor.) In the center of the restaurant, five staircases descended from the second floor to meet in the middle, forming a platform that overlooks the first floor.

Gaga’s specialties are its fruit tea and tea cocktails, but it’s the kind of place you come for the drinks and stay for the food with fine eats like the seafood platter and roast chicken. They also offer a brunch that’s available all day (RMB 308 for two, or just RMB 238 with a coupon now available on Dazhong Dianping), which includes a fruit tea or coffee (RMB 28 and up) for each guest as well as a plate of lobster benedict (RMB 128 on its own) and a classic brunch plate of eggs, toast, sausage, and veggies (RMB 108 on its own.)

Another Peet’s Coffee

If you are seeking somewhere a bit more chill, then fret not, because the newly opened Peet’s Coffee is just around the corner. We previously checked out this American coffee chain’s Beijing premiere in Guomao, and though Peet’s is known to give different locations a distinct personality, this location has embraced very much the same theme of leafy greens and bright white marble that you'll see in the China World Mall shop. It’s a lengthy shop with plenty of comfortable seating and nice view overlooking the plaza. In terms of product, as we've stated before, it's superior drip coffee is a fine choice for black coffee drinkers, though it's a bit pricier than the equivalent at its competitor Starbucks at RMB 25 for a small cup. Meanwhile, espresso drinkers can save a few bills on breakfast with a deal for an americano with a pastry for RMB 19.

Sail into hot pot at Seafoody

Moving on from morning beverages and onto a hardy dinner, the latest hot pot spot in Taikooli is Seafoody, which, as the name would imply, focuses heavily on critters pulled from nature’s salty soup, also known as the ocean, and placed into the soup of your pot, which is flavored accordingly to be made suitable for such a sea feast. The squid, in particular, comes recommended, served in uncut form, as do the bicolored tofu balls, but you can also go with hot pot classics like cuts of beef and duck blood. On the other hand, you can skip the pot altogether, because the restaurant also dishes out both seafood teppanyaki and dim sum.

New figurine shops

Believe it or not, not everything in life is about food! Taikooli is now upping its game on the collectibles after years of seeing such stores pop up across the street at the Soho. Now, not one but two collectibles stores have opened, both specializing in figurines. One is 52Toys, located in the basement mall of the plaza, while the other is a branch of the chain Funner Art, located next to Peets coffee on the second floor of the plaza.