Capital Bites: Eatalia Expanding, Ricci Cafe on Hiatus, Food Safety, Plus More Openings and Closings

Lots of big news this week, with Wudaokou restaurants making a bigger splash than usual. First up, little Italian eatery Eatalia has plans for a bigger spot near Di'anmen with not just one but two rooftops. Also, Ricci Cafe at the Tsinghua Science Park stole people's hearts and then went on a break. What gives? Downtown, there are some shake-ups at World City, Soho Shangdu and The Place. And of course, there are the usual dining deals and wine dinners to be splurged on.

News:

Eatalia's become a slow and steady hit in Wudaokou, where the fresh pastas and pizza napoletana are a good break from bar food and other student-targeted fare. Good news for people who don't live in Wudaokou: They're planning a new branch near Di'anmen. Owner Mario tells us the space is rented and construction starts this week. By the end of it, he plans to have two hutong rooftop terraces. They're aiming for soft open in August and a grand opening by mid-September, with expanded wine offerings and a larger menu. We'll keep you posted with any news on that front.

Meanwhile, another Wudaokou spot, Ricci Cafe, started making a splash at the Tsinghua Science Park. Judging by the comments on this review we posted on the blog, people are quite taken with the place - and quite upset that they've decided to close up shop for the next two months. We spoke with a manager who tells us they're taking a break to run an extensive training program for their fuwuyuan. This seems to be the same line they're using on the sign they've posted on their door. They assured us they'll be up and running again in early September. Again, we'll keep you posted.

Daccapo, the much-loved Italian restaurant at The Regent, has shifted to a new space within the hotel, opening up its formerly occupied space for a Morton's Steakhouse. It's set to open this October, so keep your fingers crossed, and then cross them again in hopes that they'll be incorporating their "power hour" concept here, too (great deals on food from 4.30-6.30pm and after 9pm).

We've just been for a visit to Green T. House Living out in Shunyi. The restaurant Green T. House was an early stalwart of fine dining in Sanlitun, but the Living concept is meant to incorporate a spa, bathhouses, a guesthouse and event spaces for a more holistic experience. They've spent the last six years getting each and every space on their property tightened up, and are getting ready to roll out tons of events, organic farmers' markets, cultural programs and more. All that aside, the food is phenomenal and we think it's time to get these guys back on the radar. Case in point: that very refreshing pear, goat cheese and walnut salad with green tea honey mustard dressing pictured at the top of this post. The space is spectacular too, which makes for a dramatic full-on dining experience. It's quite the spend, but consider it a destination restaurant. If you're the live-to-eat type, it's worth it.

Speaking of organic anything, the government's finally making moves to do something about all these food safety issues we've been having. According to this China Daily article, we've only got three more years of scandalous foods to endure before policies kick in.

Maybe this is a good time to suggest some safer, high-end dining.

Splurges:

This one's more of a mini-splurge, but due to popular demand SALT is continuing its Summer Barbecue through the month of July, on Saturdays from 12-3pm. The Veggie option starts at RMB 188 with a total of four sides, while meat and surf & turf platters are RMB 288 with two sides included. Add RMB 200 for free-flowing bubbly or Belgian beer. Reserve at 6437 8457.

TRB's also hosting yet another wine dinner, this time brought to you by DS Wines and presided over by winemaker Raul Bobet. The dinner takes place on July 11 at 7pm, and you'll get five courses with pairings for RMB 580.

Openings and Closings:

There's been a bit of a shakeup in World City, the restaurant strip between The Place and Soho Shangdu. Lime Thai has opened a second branch next to Bar Code (in the space that formerly held Club Du). V-Sub has been replaced by Starbucks, there's a Burger King on the way, and a few doors down, something exciting is promised: Take 5, the "Real Scandinavian Tavern since 2003." Eric Clapton not included. ... Or maybe he is? Yeah, probably not.

A hop, skip and a jump away, at Soho Shangdu, a new restaurant named Ge Yuan Ju (个园居) is serving up Yangzhou-style noodles and xiaolongbao. A review is forthcoming.

Over at The Place, UA Town, the gallery-cafe-design store in the basement has shut down, taking Papabubble and its artisanal lollipops with it.

Photos: Marilyn Mai, Iain Shaw, Lilly Chow