Sanlitun Supermarkets, Icy Sweets and a Spicy Gamble

Sanlitun renovations

Friendship Supermarket will officially reopen on June 3 with a brand-new interior and layout. The groceries have been relocated to the second floor, but the variety is similar to what was available previously, mainly imported goods ranging from cheese sold by weight, delicatessen products to fresh vegetables and fruits. However, they’ve changed their bread supplier to Bruno Bakery, distinctive from the bread offerings at Jenny Lou’s and April Gourmet.

The entire first floor has turned into a spacious wine superstore; you can also get imported beers, Japanese sake, tea and cigars there.

Further south, the building on the corner of Dongzhimenwai Dajie formerly known as Butcher’s Steakhouse is undergoing renovations. But by whom? It’s a mystery, and the only clue is a sign on the window, teasing passersby to watch this space. We’re guessing that it’ll be a Western restaurant (or Western-owned, at least) and that they're trying to build up a little suspense. The real suspense is whether the space – which housed a short-lived Yunnan hot pot eatery before the doomed Butcher’s Steakhouse – can house a restaurant capable of overcoming the bad feng shui. We'll keep an eye out for developments.

Central Park ice cream offerings

CCSweets has launched a range of quality homemade ice creams and sorbets (RMB 20/scoop) at their Central Park store. Fruity flavors dominate, but the chocolate ice cream – made of organic eggs, milk from Wondermilk, African vanilla and French dark chocolate – almost rivals that of Awfully Chocolate, which is still my favorite dark chocolate ice cream in town.

Sichuan fish fare

After winning Best New Chinese Restaurant for Little Yunnan in our 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards, the owner Jeff Gao has opened another restaurant. Hong (红江湖耗儿鱼) appears to be the first restaurant in Beijing to specialize in hao’er yu (耗儿鱼), a fish popular in Chengdu. Gao spent several weeks in Chengdu, sampling the fish dish with various forms of chilli sauce, and even lured two chefs from that city to Beijing. When asked why he wanted to open this restaurant here, Gao replied: “Because people queue for this dish in Chengdu!” Implying that Beijingers will go crazy for Chengdu flavors. Let’s wait and see.

Hong. Daily 9am-2pm, 5-10pm. Haidian Donglu (west side of Jiandemen Qiao) (6202 0665) 红江湖耗儿鱼. 海淀区马甸东路(健德门桥西侧)