What to Eat at Beijing Design Week: Vivi Dolce, Migas, and More
Beijing Design Week, the capital's annual celebration of everything creative and design-oriented, is back for 2014, running from September 26 to October 3. A small portion of the events happening in Dashilar, 751 D-Park and elsewhere are dedicated to food.
The Lab of Taste and Affection
Artisan gelato makers ViVi Dolce will be serving up creative flavors such as sea salt vanilla, coconut shochu and the mysterious "black wizard" in Dashilar, with an added emphasis on interactivity, attempting to investigate the relationship between taste and memory.
Date: Sep 26-Oct 3
Find it: Plug-In Market, Yangmeizhu Xiejie
Joy Luck Pie Club
Developed and established by Studio Henny van Nistelrooy, Joy Luck Pie Club is a pop-up bakery selling hand-made fruit pies made from traditional, seasonal Chinese ingredients. The pies are inspired by the auspicious patterns commonly seen on Chinese textiles and furniture. This concept extends to the furniture, which is inspired by the Mazha, a form of campstool that serves as an important element in the spontaneous social life of traditional Beijing communities.
Date: Sep 25-Oct 3
Find it: 146 Yangmeizhu Xiejie
Life of Desserts around Hutong
"Life of Desserts" was conceived by the design and baking enthusiasts of Magic Desserts Atelier. For Beijing Design Week, they are baking pastries inspired by Yangmeizhu Xiejie. They say: "Even though they don’t last long as objects, the impression and emotions [the pastries] leave with you will stay."
Date: Sep 26-Oct 3
Find it: Plug-In market, Yangmeizhu Xiejie
Taste of Memory
Not strictly edible this one. Dongsi Hunan Restaurant Nice Rice has organized an exhibition exploring the different ways fresh foods are preserved in Hunan cuisine, aiming to remind us of the importance of our culinary traditions.
Date: Sep 25-Oct 3
Find it: Quanyechang, Dashilar
Lord of the Candies
Lord of the Candies believe that candy isn't just for kids; it should be fun and surprising for everyone. Call by their booth and sample milky pumpkin marshmallows, naturally fruit-flavored lollipops, the famous Japanese plum candy, traditional German Haribo gummy bears, and their own special selections.
Date: Sep 26-Oct 3
Find it: Plug-In Market, Yangmeizhu Xiejie
Barcelona Menu at Migas
This year's Beijing Design Week Guest City is Barcelona and Migas is marking the partnership with a special seven course Barcelona-inspired menu over three days. Their head chef Aitor Olabegoya is teaming up with fellow Catalan chef Angel Pascual to celebrate the city that inspired them to cook.
Date: Sep 26-28
Find it: Migas, Nali Patio
The Orchid: Construction Site Aperitivo
Fans of The Orchid's original location on Baochao Hutong won't want to miss this chance to preview their new location on the north side of Dashilar. Over the course of Beijing Design Week, they will finish construction a little earlier every evening and clear a path (amply safety checked of course) so visitors can walk through both the historical and updated areas of the site, eventually ending up at a bar in their central courtyard, serving the same great wines and elegant nibbles we have come to expect from The Orchid.
Date: Sep 26-Oct 3
Find it: 138 Paizi Hutong
POPUPEAT
Bringing a fine dining experience to an unlikely venue, A4 Studios has worked with local suppliers and manufacturers to create a one-off event that celebrates food, wine and the landscape of the table. The organic menu is prepared by local chefs and will be served in the surroundings of Caochangdi's Red Courtyard. POPUPEAT is by prior booking only. Contact A4 Studios for more information.
Date: Sep 28
Find it: 1 Red Courtyard, Caochangdi
El Bulli DNA Challenge and El Bulli 1846 - Elisava Barcelona School of Engineering
The ELISAVA Barcelona School of Design and Engineering and the ElBullifoundation will present an experimental workshop that seeks to promote creative thinking processes in the field of design and cuisine on September 29. Design students from all disciplines will be invited to reinvent the El Bulli sphere and imagine new scenarios of creativity, gastronomy and online interaction.
Date: Sep 29
Find it: 79 Tank, 751 D PARK, 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District
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Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
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Photo: Vivi Dolce, Migas
