Capital Bites: Ricci's New Treats and Deals, Jazz Supper at 4Corners and Spanish Wines

Chi Fan for Charity happens this Saturday, and we're going to round up all the Thanksgiving feasts for you, but more news for both of those will come in later blog posts. For today, we've got new treats and deals at the freshly reopened Ricci Cafe in Wudaokou, Spanish wine tastings at Temple and Park Hyatt, and a happenin' new Jazz Supper Club at 4corners.

As we've mentioned, Ricci Cafe is back in business over in Wudaokou and they hosted a tasting of their latest menu items. Their signature drink, the Sichuan pepper mocha (RMB 33), is holding steady, with strong coffee, sweet chocolate and subtly strong spice that leaves your taste buds both bemused and begging for more. The garden salad (RMB 48) – greens, shaved Parmesan and grapes with a light, fresh basil dressing – and the Sichuan chicken focaccia (RMB 38) – served alongside paprika-coated lotus root chips – are great examples of why WDK-ites are excited by this cafe. But their real dark horse is a new green curry (RMB 48): savory beef, crunchy red pepper, soft sweet potato and eggplant immersed in a subtly spicy green curry served with basmati rice. They've also got a slew of new desserts, from cream puffs in strawberry, chocolate rum and green tea flavors to a soon-to-come lavender honey "bread cube." (Those things seem all the rage lately, don't they?) The cafe has braved floods and false starts, but this seems like a very confident comeback.

We're also telling you all this because Ricci's running a week of deals this week as they celebrate they're reopening. Today (Nov 6, 2-9.30pm), they're handing out a free cup-based dessert for any coffee drink you buy. Tomorrow, their Sichuan mocha (Nov 7, 8am-9.30pm) is half off. This coming weekend (Nov 10-11), everything will be 30% off all day. And on Monday (Nov 12) all sandwiches are half off all day. These are just some of the highlights, but deals continue through next Friday (Nov 16), so stop by or call the cafe for more info (8215 8826).

Temple Restaurant Beijing's hosting another wine dinner this week, featuring Spanish wines from the El Nido winery. Dinner's tomorrow (Nov 7) at 7pm, and costs RMB 888 if pre-paying. Enjoy six wines paired with a multi-course meal. RSVP at meet@temple-restaurant.com.

Spanish wines seem to be the flavor of the week. Park Hyatt's China Bar is doing a tasting from Spain's Gil Family Estates, paired with tapas. This takes place Thursday (Nov 8), 6-8.30pm. You get ten glasses for RMB 350, but a RMB 550 ticket gets you into a workshop as well, for those who crave an education on top of the (slight) inebriation. Reservation and pre-payment is required, so contact China Bar for your spot (8567 1838/40)

Everybody's favorite hip hangout, 4Corners, is taking us back in time with a 1930s-inspired Jazz Club Supper. It starts this Thursday (Nov 8), and will be taking place every Thursday in November (including Thanskgiving night). Chef Jun Trinh will be offering special cuisine, enjoyed to a soundtrack of Ellington songs and the always lovely Lulu. For times and more details, be sure to check in with the restaurant (6401 7797).

Chi Fan for Charity takes place this Saturday, Nov 10. We'll have a separate blog for you updating you on the remaining seats available and any other news.

Also, Thanksgiving is coming up. Look out for a separate blog detailing all your Thanksgiving options.

Happy eating.

Photo: Ariana Rizzato