Capital Bites: Capital M's Theater Menus and Hatsune's 12-Year Anniversary

Capital M is starting up a new pre-theater (6-7pm) and post-theater (9.30-10.30pm) menu. It's designed to be quick so you can make the curtain opening with two courses priced at RMB 288 per person (including a glass of wine) or three courses for RMB 288 per person (wine not included). If you really want to make a night of it, they're offering that you can have two of your courses pre-show and return after curtain call for a relaxed dessert. For dining, only online reservations accepted. No reservations needed for the bar.

That small corner area behind of Yashow keeps things moving in small ways. Two Guys and a Pie are rolling out a new product. They're in development stages of a Cornish pasty. I'm told that it will be a ground beef filling with vegetables like potato and parsnip plus peas and carrots, seasoned with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. There's a bit of debate on the addition of pumpkin or not (controversial stuff, no?), but this should be sorted by the weekend when they plan to unleash the beast.

You'll be able to find the wares of the Two Guys' next-door neighbors Tavalin Bagels at Cu Ju soon. They're slowly inching forward their boiled and baked carb empire – so look forward to that, greater Gulou.

The Wine Republic is hosting a wine tasting at d lounge this Friday August 16 (8-10pm). RMB 140 per person will get you four glasses of wine (a Shiraz, a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a Grenache). RSVP at 5869 7050 or hao@thewinerepublic.com.

And what's there to look forward to in the next few weeks?

Hatsune's 12-year anniversary is coming up at the beginning of September and if past celebrations lend any indication, it should be quite the night. At RMB 100 (pre-sale; RMB 200 at the door), tickets are cheap for an evening of free-flow sushi, sake and cocktails. Festivities will run from 10pm-1am on Thursday September 5 at Hatsune Sanlitun. Pick up your pre-sale tickets at either Hatsune branch.

Finally, it might surprise you since the heat is still blowing across the city, but mooncake season is on. Before you let out a collective groan, keep your chins up. The Sweet Spot has a nice take on the traditional gift with their mousse mooncakes (green tea, chocolate, mango and forest berry, RMB 128 for three). You'll likely need some form of mooncake to fob off upon gift to a colleague or local friend, so keep these in mind when you're thinking Mid-Autumn Festival. Get it until September 19.

Photo: The Sweet Spot