There comes a time in the life of every underground project when it can no longer be just a well-kept secret; when success leads to its inevitable evolution into something bigger.
Peking Picnics: 4 Spots to Spread the Rug
Life, as they say, is no picnic. Which is why we should all be having a lot more picnics. Nothing beats lolling on the grass, eating food with your hands and drinking a bit more than is appropriate for the time of day. But where are the best Beijing picnic spots? Here are our top tips, along with snack suggestions too.
For Romance: Old Summer Palace
Summer Loving: Beijing’s Cold Noodle Gems
Welcome to the Pho Laboratory
What’s it all about? Yummy renditions of Vietnamese street food staples, wrapped up in hip branding in a cute diner a mere stagger from Beijing’s most popular bar.
The Frau Has a New Frock: Cafe Zarah 2.0
Ah, Café Zarah. Long has she reigned as Beijing’s best spot to while away a weekend on artfully crowned cappuccinos, German-inspired brunches and the sort of affable chatter that doesn’t start revolutions. But there were drawbacks. Limited outside space, basic food offerings beyond brunch, too many MacBooks. So, after six long months of renovation, a new Frau has arisen like an over-caffinated phoenix from the ashes. And we like her. A lot.
Liang Shi – Cantonese and Coffee in 798 Art District
Opened in March by Liu Feng, a designer associated with the UCCA Gallery next door, Liang Shi is more than just another artfully designed coffee stop for gallery hoppers (although it fulfils that role nicely). It’s a fully-fledged Cantonese restaurant, offering sweet and savoury dim sum, roasted, braised and stewed meats, soups, wok-fried vegetables and house specials including sautéed shrimp balls with scallops and chilli, and pan-fried foie gras, Chinese style.