To Try List: Dessert Paired With Cocktails, New Burgers & More

New restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more happenings on our to try list this week.

TABLO Brings Cocktails and Desserts to the Hutongs

Now in its soft opening as of Jan 30, TABLO brings classy desserts, artisanal cocktails and excellent wine to the hutongs. Situated on Qianliang Hutong, the space is chic and intimate with low lighting and an open kitchen and bar area being the focal point.

They are currently offering a Fine Dessert Tasting Menu (RMB 688) which is a five course meal with wine or cocktail pairings. Each dish is simply named after its ingredients like Yiming Mountain Butter Chestnut/Sand Ginger/Figs (pictured below) or Apple/Cinnamon Almond Cream/Vanilla Ice Cream, and the wine pairings range from Pinot Noir to Yuzu Rice Wine or Sparkling Sake. The menu is by reservation only and you can see the full details on the dishes and wine pairings along with booking details here.

Along with the tasting menu, TABLO also have a menu of seven seasonal cocktail specials and ten classic cocktails available from 6pm-2am, and for these you don’t need to reserve. None of the seasonal cocktails have names, instead they are called by the season with a number (Winter No. 2 for example, pictured below) because they want guests to focus more on the taste and the experience rather than the name. You can see their current season cocktails in this post.

TABLO 時桌
17 Qianliang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区钱粮胡同17号
Hours: 2pm-2am
Phone: [phone]

New Burgers in Town From House of Hamburgers

There’s a new burger joint in town, with House of Hamburgers having opened up digs in The Grand Summit not too long ago. The space has a diner-style feel with a checked floor, fluorescent lighting and some decorative vinyl on the wall. True to its name, they’ve got a menu that just focuses on burgers along with a few snacks and drinks to pair said burgers with.

They’ve got more traditional burgers like their House Burger (RMB 65), which sees a beef patty topped with bacon, a fried egg, Swiss cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato; as well as more unusual offerings such as the Middle East Lamb Burger (RMB 55, pictured above) which features a spiced lamb patty layered with Swiss cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato; or the Seafood Burger (RMB 85) which has soft-shell crab, shrimp, onion rings and toasted seaweed.

House of Hamburgers 汉堡屋
B107, The Grand Summit South, 19 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东方东路19号官舍南区B107
Hours: 11am-8pm
Phone: [phone]

Why Not Taproom Brings Fresh Brews to Gulou

Why Not Taproom recently opened up shop in Gulou, just north of the bell and drum towers. With a curved bar and beer taps set in bright red alcoves in front of an exposed brick lattice, it has a bit of an artsy, modern vibe. They’ve got 13 beers on tap with a range of IPAs like Knee Deep Breaking Bud (RMB 60), a West Coast IPA, or Revision Art Car (RMB 62), a New England/hazy IPA, along with other beers like Buery Goses Are Red (RMB 70) or Duchesse De Bourgogne (RMB 54), a Flanders red ale.

Along with beer, they’ve got a menu with some of your usual bar grub with burgers, tacos, snacks and braised meats on offer. On the burger front they’ve got the intriguing Peking Erbaijiang Fried Chicken Burger (RMB 68, pictured above) as well as the WHY NOT Angus Beef Burger (RMB 76) and WHY NOT Cod Burger (RMB 58). Other dishes include Mexican Lamb Tacos (RMB 58), Braised Duck Neck (RMB 28) and Buffalo Wings (RMB 58).

Why Not Taproom歪脑呆
Jintai Shared Space, 20 Zhaofu Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区赵府街20号金台共享际
Hours: Tue-Thu & Sun 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am, closed Mon
Phone: [phone]

Little Lahore Opens Second Branch in Dongzhimen

Pakistani restaurant Little Lahore has just opened a second branch in Dongzhimen. Dubbed Courtyard by Little Lahore, the new space has a vibrant vibe with bright cushions and table cloths and an interesting display of plants and lights hanging down from the ceiling. They’ve got the same menu as their original location with classic Pakistani dishes like Coconut Chicken Curry (RMB 78), Beef Shimla Mirch (RMB 78) and Dahi Pruri (RMB 58/small, RMB 78/large).

Courtyard by Little Lahore
47 Dongzhimenwai Xiaojie, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门外小街47号
Hours: Mon 5-10pm, Tue-Sun 10.30am-3pm, 5-10pm
Phone: [phone]

Seafood Boil Comes to Shuangjing Thanks to Cajun Bites

After Shaking Crab closed up shop, there has been a seafood boil shaped hole in Beijing’s food scene. But now, thanks to Cajun Bites, that hole has been filled! Located in Pingguo Community in Shuangjing, Cajun Bites brings that New Orleans classic Cajun seafood boil back to the capital. With a full on nautical theme including a mini lighthouse, the decor is a little kitschy, but it’s the food that’s most important.

The menu has plenty of seafood options for the boil including Boston Lobster (RMB 278), King Crab (RMB 318), South American White Shrimp (RMB 58) and Fresh Clams (RMB 29) plus an array of veggies you can add in, too. They’ve also got Calamari (RMB 48), Fried Shrimp Balls (RMB 48) and other snacks if you want some nibbles to go with the boil.

Cajun Bites 美式手抓海鲜
31, 2F, Bldg 6, Courtyard 22, Yishujiequ, Pingguo Community, Chaoyang District
朝阳区苹果社区二十二院艺术街区北区6号楼2层31号
Hours: 11am-2pm, 5-10pm
Phone: [phone]

Bollywood Tales by Dastaan Coming Soon to Shuangjing

Last but by no means least, we have some exciting news from Indian restaurant Dastaan! They will be opening up a second branch in Beijing right after Chinese New Year. Slated to be located in Pingguo community near Plan B, we’re still waiting on the full details but given Dastaan’s stellar food and excellent reputation, we already know it’s going to be good. Be sure to keep an eye on future posts for more news on Bollywood Tales.

Images: courtesy of the venues, Katie Coy, Dianping, Meituan Waimai

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