Capital Bites: New Tacos, Chicken Parma Night Returns, and Cheap Cocktails
The Rug has a new summer menu and brunch specials to round out their already extensive selection. I went to the Chaoyang Park space last week for the first time since it has been open. The interior is beautiful, airy and full of light. I can see why the Time Out dudes are always brunching there. I just might have to join them.
Look for new items like a smoked salmon & poached egg pancake (RMB 98), grilled fresh peach & honey walnut yogurt (RMB 48) or what they are calling the Tapas Fancy Brunch, a bruschetta-style spread of flatbreads with toppings like sauteed mushrooms & cream cheese, parma ham, tomatoes & cheese, and more.
Zajia has begun a new low-key food menu (true to their spirit) with a selection of freshly-made sandwiches, including tuna (RMB 28) and bacon & egg (RMB 32). Ingredients are sourced from the French grocery on Jianchang Hutong between Wudaoying and Guozijian.
They're also offering set meals where you can pair a sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes (RMB 40). Best of all, they've set up outdoor seating, and word has it that there will be new cocktails coming soon.
Más is now serving tacos al pastor which they describe as "grilled chili pasilla rubbed pork tenderloin with fresh yogurt, pineapple, red onion, and coriander (cilantro for Americans) on cast iron grilled flour tortillas." As much as I avoid eating tacos outside of California or the Bronx, I'm looking forward to trying them.
Sunday, July 7, heralds the return of Mao Mao Chong's Chicken Parma night (6-11pm). Three options are available: regular chicken Parma (RMB 45), eggplant chicken Parma (RMB 50), and pancetta chicken Parma (RMB 55). Cocktails will be RMB 40 all night along with discounts on wine and beer. MMC asks for reservations in advance.
Sureño has an endearing marketing scheme underway: "Wine for lunch, food is on us." Order a selected glass of red or white wine at RMB 158, get a complimentary three-course lunch.
The other lunch option is RMB 138 for three courses sans wine.
The Local has a new Monday special: Get a free glass of housemade iced tea with every item you order from their new grill.
3sums just launched an all-you-can-eat deal Thursday through Saturday nights. It's RMB 88 per person for groups of six or more. Mondays will also now be their free mini-burger day, where you get a fourth burger with your 3sum off their secret menu (think veal, lobster, and ahi tuna).
Beer Mania is having a six-course beer and food pairing for RMB 158 on Tuesday July 9 at 8pm. Dishes include a coriander and walnut lamb roll with sweet and sour rosemary sauce, mussel skewers with Provencale tomato chutney and a lime cheesecake. Advanced bookings requested.
Taikoo Li Village North has a new Japanese robatayaki and sushi joint called Koyama, located just around the corner from Let's Burger. On entering the restaurant, you're required to take your shoes off. The space is huge and tranquil. Much of the seating, though not all, is low to ground. The Hong Kong owner has a fascination with Japanese comics, which you see reflected in the tall display cases of action figures lining the walls. Somehow it all seems to work. The menu runs the gamut from sushi to robatayaki (charcoal-based slow-grilling) to udon and soba, with prices in the RMB 70-130 range.
There's wind that Dongjiao Market will be closing in September. Much beyond that is unclear – whether it will be Sanyuanli-style for renovations or nail-in-the-coffin for good.
Of course, there will be a whole slew of BBQ-ing and optional heavy drinking in honor of the day Freedom was born (I jest!), so look for that Fourth of July post tomorrow.
Photos: Cat Nelson
