Nibbles: A hand-picked selection of goings on in Beijing's food and drink scene, May 14

In Nibbles, a weekly series, we serve up a run-down of the best dining deals, food & drink events, and restaurant/bar openings and closings.

News

Last summer’s crackdown on illegal outdoor drinking saw benches replaced by easy-to-hide stools as bootleg bars were swept away at the shake of a chengguan’s baton. But you can’t keep a good thing down. Stronghold of the resistance, Xindong Lu, is creeping back to life. Sure you could fester in juvenile bedlam at the expanded Heaven Supermarket, but we’re more excited about the return of Jazz Graden (sic), or at least some plastic chairs and a fridge where it once stood.

Fore those of more refined taste, Jing-A has significantly expanded its al fresco offering. And just around the corner, The Taco Bar has undergone outdoor-ification. We’ve been told to expect: “new patio, new booze, new kind of hangover.”

Off the Beaten Plate

In South Korea, six people a year reportedly die from eating live octopus, or sannakji. The wriggling tentacles (their suckers, specifically) attach themselves to the inside of diners’ throats, causing suffocation. Upon landing at our table, the recently-severed tentacles try to escape the plate, attaching to our chopsticks and then latching on to our tongues - watch us try it here. Sashimi doesn’t get fresher than this. 

Events

The Meatball Company will be hosting a grand opening bash (or ball?) this Sunday, May 17. Celebrate the meatball maker’s debut with RMB20 subs and 2-for-1 sangria pitchers from 3-8 PM at its Dashibei Hutong location (yes, that’s just next to 4Corners). Co-founder Max-at-Large and friends will DJ.

Weekly Deals

When Agua says it's serving an Infinity Brunch, it's taking the “infinity” part seriously. Spanish paella, Icelandic halibut, Argentinian prawns — all these and more are part of the RMB298 set weekend brunch. Add RMB168 for free-flow drinks — stellar Spanish mimosas are made with cava.