Capital Bites: Ignace's Temple, Hot Dog Guzzling and "Mmm, chlorophyll!"

We got a chance to take a look around Temple, the new project from former Maison Boulud GM Ignace Lecleir yesterday, thanks to an invitation to a wine tasting held by Globus Wine at the upcoming restaurant/bar/shopping/leisure complex. It's set inside an old temple compound - surprisingly enough - and looks like it'll be pretty special once it's completed.

I had expected a small, intimate restaurant, but the complex also features a bar, jewelry store and art gallery space - almost like a miniature version of Ch’ien Men 23. Temple won’t be open to the public for a few months at least, but they’re already catering for events. Ignace also tells us they have secured something of a coup in recruiting their head chef, although he was tight-lipped as to who the mystery man is. This should be one of 2011’s more significant dining developments, so watch this space. Oh, and the wine, courtesy of southwest Germany's Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, was also good - some excellent Pinot Noir and Riesling.

In one of the slowest showings in competitive eating, newly crowned Chinese hot dog eating champion Chris Lam shoved down a paltry 16 hot dogs in ten minutes at the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest last Saturday. We reckon we could have matched that feat, but hats off nonetheless to Chris on his win - he and two runners-up will be flying to New York City to take part in a July 4 contest. In America, 16 hot dogs in ten minutes is what some call "lunch," so they better get in training. To show how it's done, reigning world champ and competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut stepped up to the mark, damning himself as "lazy" for only managing 39 dogs in five minutes in the exhibition of professional gluttony that took place in the later part of the day. There's a video of the event here.

Finally, wheatgrass - thought to be effective in fighting cancer - is now available in Beijing. You can drink a portion of pure cholorophyll at either branch of Jambo Juice (one at the east gate of Central Park, another at the Fortune Mall, just across the road) or at Cafe Singapore in You-Town (RMB 20-26).

A bit of news from long-running favorite Alameda - they'll be opening a new outdoor seating area on Tuesday (June 21). The terrace will be open from 3pm-late every day, and they've put together a special terrace menu featuring snacks including empanadas, cheese plates and croquettes.

Finally, where Butcher's Steakhouse failed, some more Danes are getting set to have a go. This location seems to be cursed - reminiscent of the revolving door of bar openings/closings that used to go on in the present Biteapitta space before the pitta merchants moved into that Tongli location - so we wish them well. From rumors we've heard, there may be something of a "fantasy" theme. Ah well, anything to erase the memory of that 3kg Butcher's Steakhouse mega-burger ...