To Try List: Puzzles Opens, New Daily Bagel, Tapas Deals and More

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Apr 20, 2024 11:39 am | Add a comment | 348 reads

Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more happenings in Beijing.

Exclusive Tacos Only Available at Taco Fest This Weekend

Today sees the first day of Taco Fest and if you want the opportunity to try a whole range of exclusive tacos that will only be available at the weekendlong event – including those from Taco Taco which have come all the way from Shanghai – then you’d better get yourself up to Tiantongyuan pronto! From traditional tacos made by some of the capital’s best taco spots such as Las Musas, Q Mex, Moji and many more to fusion tacos from the likes of Bollywood Tales, Tribe Garden, SUSU, Berlin Bites and numerous others there are a whopping 70+ varieties of tacos to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself up to Taco Fest!

Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center (天通苑文化艺术中心)
Area G, Tiantong Zhongyuan Peitao Gongjian, Taipingzhuang Zhongyi Jie, Changping District
昌平区太平庄中一街天通中苑配套公建G区G-la号
Taco Fest Hours: 11am-9pm, Apr 20-21

New Restaurant Puzzles Opens on Baochao Hutong

Baochao Hutong has a new resident in the form of restaurant Puzzles, opened by Max B, formerly of the Peninsula Hotel. Located just down from Modernista, it’s a cozy space that’s clearly been carefully thought out with small touches like dried plant fronds and rattan baskets giving it a slightly rustic feel. The menu is mostly European with a range of well executed pastas, brunch dishes, cold appetizers and desserts. Some dishes to watch out for are the Stuffed Paprika (RMB 98, pictured below) and the Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (RMB 108). Along with food they’ve got a menu of creative cocktails that put a spin on much loved classics like the Not Really a Negroni (RMB 98), as well as coffees, wine and other drinks.

Puzzles
52 Baochao Hutong
宝钞胡同52号
Hours: Wed-Mon, 11am-10pm (closed Tue)
Phone: 010 6405 9001

La Copa Starts New Two for One Tapas and Sangria Deal

Spanish restaurant La Copa have recently started opening on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and to go with the new hours they’ve got a great new deal: two for one tapas and sangria! On the sangria front you can choose between either red or white (both RMB 88) and pair it with some of their delicious tapas offerings like Hand-made Chorizo (RMB 78), Croquetas (RMB 68) or Tostada De Anchoa (RMB 78) – which is fresh off their spring menu.

La Copa
Room 108, JinShang Yuan, 20, Xinyuan Lixi, Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
新东路新源里西20号金尚源大厦一层108
Hours: Mon-Thu 6-10:30pm, Fri- 6-11:30pm, Sat-Sun 3-5.30pm, 6-10:30pm
Phone: 198 0020 3903

The Daily Bagel’s Second Branch in the SKP Mall is Now Open

After much anticipation, The Daily Bagel has opened up their second branch in the capital inside SKP Mall. This sleek new location has a bigger oven and bigger workstation than their original Liangma digs, so they’ve got more capacity to meet all your bagel needs. Here you’ll find all the old firm favorites on the menu like the Herb Roasted Chicken (RMB 52), Love From Philly (RMB 80) and Flo’s Veg 2.0 (RMB 56) as well as their signature plain bagels and range of cream cheeses.

Tha Daily Bagel SKP branch
B1041, GF, SKP-S, Building 186 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国路86号院1号楼SKP-S地下一层B1041
Hours: 10am-9pm
Phone: 185 1924 9808

Beersmith Adds New Spring Brunch Dishes to the Menu

It’s safe to say that spring has definitely sprung here in Beijing and to welcome the change of season Beersmith have added some special spring brunch dishes to their menu. New additions include the Lemon Veal Scallopini (RMB 168); Egg White Omelette with Avocado (RMB 118) featuring plant-based Omni-pork; and Dry Fig and Pork Rib Flatbread (RMB 108). If you want to get boozy with your brunch then you can also pair it with Beersmith’s brunch free-flow deal (RMB 188) which runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am until 3.30pm and 4pm until 8pm. Beersmith’s lovely terrace is also now open so you can enjoy brunch while soaking in some rays.

Beersmith
1/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号新国贸饭店1层
Brunch hours: 11am-4pm
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: 010 8647 1098

SUSU Opens its Ninth Location in Brand New Super Hopson Mall

There is no stopping Vietnemese restaurant chain SUSU who have just opened their ninth store inside the new Super Hopson mall in Changping, which only opened its doors to the public on Apr 18. It’s another one of their PHO SUSU branches but with a special train theme – the Chinese name is 苏苏火车头 Sūsū Huǒchētóu which translates to SUSU Locomotive. The interior is designed to look like the inside of a train carriage with some funky comic book art thrown in. On the menu they’ve put some twists on their classic phos with different cuts of meat and other toppings as well as a “build your own bowl of pho” option, plus a range of smaller side dishes like their SUSU kebabs and spring rolls.

PHO SUSU 苏苏火车头
LG2-109/110, Super Hopson Mall, Changping District
昌平区超级合生汇LG2-109/110
Hours: 11.30am-9pm
Phone: 185 1314 1717

TRB Hutong Launches New Menu

One Michelin starred restaurant TRB Hutong recently launched a new menu crafted by their Executive Chef Maxime Maziers. Dishes featured on the new menu are Ningxia Lamb (pictured above), Langoustine, Wagyu Beef, French Dover Sole, Caviar Bread Crab and Beetroot Caviar. All dishes have been created to perfectly complement the onset of spring and the beautiful presentation of each dish makes it a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. You can see more details about the menu in this post.

TRB Hutong
23 Shatanbeijie, Dongcheng District
东城区沙滩北街23号
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm
Phone: 139 1171 2083

Side Street Fiesta Comes to Beijing Next Saturday

If you don’t get your fill of tacos and Mexican food at Taco Fest this weekend, then you can try even more next weekend at Side Street Jianguomen. Next Saturday (Apr 27) they’re putting on a Mexican fiesta that includes free flow food prepared by Chef Mario M. There will be a range of authentic dishes like Chilaquiles, Molletes, Tacos, Quesadillas and more. They’ll also have special Mexican drinks, available for that day only, plus DJ Leo Furioso will be playing some beats from 4pm. Tickets are RMB 198 and include free flow food and some soft drinks.

Side Street Jianguomen
Bldg N28 2/101-102 17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号楼2/101-102
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight
Phone: 135 2195 8643

Feast Brings Mediterranean Brunch Options for Spring

Feast in the East Hotel are currently offering a special all you can eat Mediterranean themed brunch every weekend until the end of May. Options include a range of mezze dishes, think Baba Ghanoush, Hummus and Tabbouleh; Spanish dishes like Gambas, Tomato Meatball Stew and Paella; and sweet treats such as Italian Cannoli and Basque Cheesecake. As always, the brunch also includes free-flow of selected drinks and is RMB 398 or RMB 358 if purchased in advance through their mini program.