To Try List: Steak in Dongdaqiao, Pebbles' New Look + More
Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more foodie happenings in Beijing.
Pebbles is set to impress with a newly remodeled bar area and partnership with two Beijing F&B brands, there's a fancy new steakhouse near Dongdaqiao, and La Social has arrived in Sanlitun once again, among other things...
Pebbles Courtyard’s New Look, Partner Businesses + Agave Spirits Fest
Wudaoying Mexican restaurant Pebbles Courtyard has gotten an upgrade in the form of a newly renovated bar area by the front entrance. Done up with concrete and darker wood, the bar itself is a beaut, while seating has been changed from tall tables to one long seat circling the wall with smaller tables about.
The upgrade is part of a new partnership between the restaurant and two longstanding Beijing businesses: Mona Bar and Galakee Coffee. While Mona has already moved into the new digs – leaving their old location near Meishuguan to do so – Pebbles owner Ray Heng tells the Beijinger Galakee will be up and running after the October holiday, bringing top notch coffee roasted on site to patrons.
Pebbles is also gearing up to host Beijing’s first ever agave spirits festival. Named Long Festival as the word 龙 lóng, or dragon, is also the first character in the Chinese name for tequila (龙舌兰酒 lóngshélánjiǔ), the festival dedicated to the agave spirits of Mexico is set to take place at the Grand Summit from Oct 18-20.
Expect a deep dive into spirits like mezcal, raicillia, and of course tequila straight from the brands and spirits importers themselves. There will also be food available, with tacos and more cooked up by Pebbles, Moji, and Las Musas.
Long Festival is happening from 5pm-9.30pm on Friday, Oct 18 and noon-9.30pm Saturday, Oct 19 and Sunday, Oct 20 at the Grand Summit. Entry is free to the public. You can read more about the fest and participating vendors here.
Pebbles Courtyard
74 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同74号
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, noon-10pm
Contact: 010 8404 0767; 138 1012 8324
New Restaurant The Butcher & The Bottle Opens Near Dongdaqiao
The Dongdaqiao neighborhood has gotten a fancy new eatery in the form of The Butcher & The Bottle. The restaurant is dialed up to the nines design wise, with paneled walls and ceilings, red leather couches and tables throughout. It’s not just the design we’re looking at here, but the food, which is equally as impressive.
Expect a lot of Western classics like pizza, pasta, sumptuous sounding mains – osso buco anyone? – and of course, lots of beef and grilled options. There are some tempting dishes on the grilled section of the menu here, especially an Angus beef cheeseburger we’ll need to try soon.
The Butcher & The Bottle
102, 1/F, Bldg M, Sanhui Bogong, 3 Chaoyangmen Waidajie
朝阳区朝阳门外大街三号山水铂宫M座1层102室
Hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
Contact: 185 1590 9499
Fang Bar Opens New Location in Xingfucun
Operating out of the same space as El Nido’s Xingfucun branch, the cocktail bar’s newest venue offers a dark, yet ambient, alternative to the brightness of the beer bar. This being Fang Bar, the cocktails are going to be on point. All in all it looks like a nice spot for a drink if you’re in the Xingfucun area.
Fang Bar is also planning on another expansion, this time outside Beijing. They’ll be headed down south to Guangzhou soon, so we’ll report back once more details on the new opening come to light.
Fang Bar (Xingfucun branch)
55-4 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区幸福村中路55-4号
Hours: Daily, 6pm-2am
Contact: 188 1058 7553
La Social Returns to Sanlitun at Courtyard No. 4
In other nightlife news, La Social is finally back in action with a permanent location. Now situated in Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4, it's not too far from its former Nali Patio neighbor Martini. The bar has also adapted to the new space accordingly: it now spans three floors, aptly titled Hell (first floor), Purgatory (second floor), and Heaven (third floor)
Since reopening, they've already started doing regular themed nights and other fun events. These include their weekly Ladies Nights, aka La Fina, and Beijing Capital Tropical nights on Saturdays.
La Social SLT
1/F, Bldg 75, Gongti Beilu Courtyard 4, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院75号楼1层
Hours: Daily, 5pm-2am
Contact: 150 0135 0562
READ: Beixinqiao Cocktail Bars Worth Checking Out
Images: The Beijingers, Dianping (via user Linford), courtesy of the venues
