To Try List: Chill Since '93 Opens, New Pasta, Bistro & More

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

Italian eatery Chill Since '93 opens in Sanlitun, Carbo brings pasta to Jianguomen, new craft beer bar and bistro opens in Taikooli and more on our To Try List this week.

Chill Since '93 Opens First Beijing Branch

Chill Since '93, an Italian-style café chain closely associated with fashion and clothing brand Brandy Melville, has just opened its first Beijing branch, which is also its first in China. Originally opened in Los Angeles, the concept features pizzas, sandwiches, desserts and signature drinks, as well as the brand’s iconic “Chill Since '93” graphics on a range of clothing and accessories. 

The Beijing branch officially opened on Jul 19 in Sanlitun Courtyard No.4. The space has a relaxed vibe with picnic bench-style seating, as well as bar seating at an open kitchen. As is typical of the chain, they have a range of square Italian pizzas, Italian sandwiches, fresh juice and coffees, and Chill Since '93 merch. 

Chill Since '93
102, 1/F, Bldg 10, 4 Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号10幢1楼102
Hours: 11am-9pm

Carbo Brings Homemade Pasta to the Friendship Store Complex

A while ago, we mentioned that Carbo would be opening soon in the Friendship Store Complex, and we are glad to bring the news that it's now officially up and running! A pasta bar that originally opened in Chongqing, it brings the same excellent handmade pasta to Beijing, with dishes like Black Truffle Cream Spaghetti (RMB 78) and Spaghetti Bolognese (RMB 58) as well as appetizers, salads, Italian desserts and a range of drinks. The space itself is bright and welcoming, with a relaxed vibe and an open kitchen, and there is also some terrace seating out front. 

Carbo 
17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm; 7.30pm-9.30pm
Phone: 185 1115 8502

New Bistro Dundun Tuntun Opens in Taikoo Li

Dundun Tuntun is a newly opened bistro and bar in Sanlitun, hidden just off the busy TaiKoo Li West area. The bistro is actually split into two spaces, with one being a self-serve craft beer bar while the other is a café by day and a cocktail lounge by night. In the craft beer area, guests can pour their own brews using high-tech taps and a smart wristband, sampling as little or as much as they like. While the café-cum-bar area serves Loose Goose coffee in the daytime, it offers draft cocktails and regular DJ events in the evening and at night. 

Foodwise, the menu focuses on fusion northwestern Chinese comfort food. It's a seasonal menu, so they'll be updating it regularly. At the moment, some of the dishes on offer are Oil Splashed Noodles (RMB 38), Da Pan Ji Chicken Wings (RMB 48) and Lamb Chuan'r With Naan (RMB 78). 

Dundun Tuntun 吨吨囤囤
Unit 1-7, W1-6, 1/F, Taikoo Li West, Chaoyang District
朝阳区太古里西区1层W1-6、1-7单元
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am
Phone: 173 8278 7302

Chill Bar Undergoes Renovation, Becomes Pub 96

Chill Bar, formerly the Drum and Bell, has undergone another name change and complete renovation to become Pub 96. It's now become a darts bar, with four electronic dartboards being installed. The physical bar itself has also been moved to the smaller room on the right side, and they now have multiple craft beers on tap. The larger room on the left has become the main dart area, with three dartboards across the back and more seating where the bar previously was. The outside area has been given a chic upgrade, with new tables, chairs and seating area around the tree at the center. 

Pub 96
2 Andingmen Xidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门西大街2号
Hours: 5pm-2am

George's Restaurant Launches New Bistro Concept

George's Restaurant at the Hotel Éclat has recently launched a new menu with a bistro concept. Created by Executive Chef Ray Chen, the menu combines traditional French elegance with Eastern philosophy. Some new dishes to watch out for are Mussel Mania (RMB 58), braised blue mussels with bacon, cream sauce and garlic bread; Sizzling Sweet Ribs (RMB 168), BBQ USA pork spareribs with homemade sauce and onion rings; and Beijing Bowl of Beef Bliss (RMB 88), braised beef belly in homemade sauce with turnip. You can read more about the new menu here.

George's Restaurant
Hotel Éclat Beijing, 9 Dongdaqiao Road, Parkview Green, Fangcaodi, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东大桥路9号侨福芳草地北京怡亨酒店
Hours: noon-2pm; 6pm-10pm
Phone: 010 8561 2888

Plant-Based Chef's Table at Duli 

This Saturday, at 7.30pm, vegan bistro Duli is putting on a special Plant-Based Chef's Table with a menu designed by guest chef Pan Pan, who has worked at numerous Michelin restaurants. For this pop-up, Pan Pan has created a five-course plant-based set menu themed “Épanoui,” a French word that in English means “blooming” or “blossoming.” There are only ten spots for the event and the price is RMB 288 for a single person or RMB 558 for two people. You can also add on a three-glass wine pairing for RMB 168 per person. You can book your spot by scanning the QR code in the poster above, and you can read more about the event here.

Duli
1/F, Friendship Store Complex, 17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号友谊商店园区内1层商铺
Hours: 11am-10pm
Phone: 185 1953 8158

READ: Beijing's Rooftops & Terraces: the CBD

Images: Xiaohongshu, courtesy of the venues, Uni You