At the risk of starting my Beijing food-and-drink news column on an overly somber note, things didn’t end so well between my college boyfriend and me. We ended up not speaking to one another. It happens. And yet, a year since I’d last heard from him, while I’m having a drink at The Distillery, guess who shows up in my WeChat friend requests? Bradley. (I feel comfortable naming him because he doesn’t live in this country.)
Sometimes things come out of nowhere. Concert cancellations, Beijing dust storms, WeChats from ex-boyfriends – sometimes they even appear while you’re on a date! (Thanks again, Brad.)
Yet uncertainty and sudden moves are the wheelhouse of Beijing’s fast-paced bar and restaurant scene. One relationship we’re struggling to move on from is with The Rug’s Chaoyang Park location. The hugely popular brunch spot has shuttered – but fortunately, it’s just for renovations. It will be back in a few months, looking more stylish than ever.
Meanwhile, Hatchery is getting back together – this time in a new space near the Zhangzizhonglu subway (pictured above). The crew moved out of their Sanlitun spot abruptly this August – but after a month of homelessness, they’re back.
Other restaurants are going steady, but keep an eye out for new autumn menus across the city. We’re particularly excited about all things Italian – both Opera Bombana and Bottega have added new dishes to the rotation. And while Napa’s not Italian, pizza is – and the California-inspired offering now includes delicious wood-fired pies on an expansive terrace. Go before it gets cold, because Beijing’s about to get as chilly as my response to a certain dude’s WeChat messages.
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