Capital Bites: Fine Dining in the Air, Happy Birthday SALT & Who's Your Daddy?
I think we should all run away to Hong Kong this weekend. Just to equip ourselves with enough sunshine and dim sum to last us through the dreary months ahead. If you can Canton on a whim, consider flying with Dragon Air. Chef Laia Pons of Jaan in Raffles Beijing Hotel has created a 21-dish "Fine Dining In The Air" menu for First and Business class Dragon Air passengers, including her signature dishes from Jaan. This promotion is only available on Beijing to Hong Kong flights. Pictured is the braised wagyu short rib, with pumpkin and cardamom puree - perfect winter warm-up food.
Not everyone can take off whenever they fancy. For you guys, we've got oodles of dining news ahead.
SALT is turning four this evening! That's tonight, December 1. A celebratory party with canapes and drinks will run from 7-10pm. Tickets are RMB 300 at the door, and all proceeds will go to UNICEF. Great cause, and good fun to boot.
Jurg Blaiser, father of Opposite House F&B manager Philipp Blaiser is blazing into Beijing from Dec 12-17 for the 'Who's Your Daddy' dinner event. Swiss-born Jurg made his name in Hong Kong, and will be cooking up a storm at Sureño. We've had a glimpse at the five-course menu, which sounds both accessible and amazing. Both simple compositions (Boston lobster with mixed baby salad), and heartier fare (lamb provençal) will be featured. If their last event - The Spartans are Coming - is anything to go by, this one will go off a treat.
(If you can't make it on those dates, Sureño also does an intensely flavorful Australian lamb leg roast as part of their regular winter menu. Chef Mariano has a good hand for lamb.)
A great deal for buffet-lovers: Jing inside the Peninsula Hotel Beijing is offering a two-for-one dinner voucher via Dianping.com. Offer expires March 2012, so you've got plenty of time to eat your fill.
Onto openings and closings. Let's Burger in Shunyi has opened. Check our directory for full contact details.
Speaking of Shunyi, Mrs. Field's Cookies has opened inside Pinnacle Plaza, stall S-510.
Sanlitun Soho's new arrivals: Cream Paul bakery, and Lohas Sandwich & Juice. The former is said to sell cakes that resemble a giant purple petunia. We're admittedly excited - more on this soon!
Sadly, Marc de Ruiter's Yellow Valley Cheese company in Shanxi has closed due to finance-related woes. You may remember that that their cheese was most recently served at the Alice Waters embassy banquet, or have tried their products at our 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. Read our interview with the founder here.
Taipei Kitchen across from the Silk Market (behind LG Twin Towers) has closed temporarily for renovations.
And to round things off with a a smile, these are the chefs I met last week at the Westin Financial Street's Hats Off Canadian Night. This is what happens when you point a camera at some chefs, and tell them to show you their 'oyster faces'. Good work, people, good work.
Photos: Susan Sheng & courtesy Raffles Hotel Beijing