Capital Bites: Biscuits and Gravy, Nachos, and Buy-One-Get-One-Free Cake

It seems that I was only just writing about new fall menus and now winter novelties are springing up around the city. Chi Fan for Charity has come and gone for the fifth time. I had the pleasure of hosting the Beijinger table at The Cut, Fairmont Beijing. Chef Andreas Block pulled out all the stops: foie gras disguised as a red-capped mushroom, potato-crusted halibut atop a sublime mushroom puree, a formidible duck consomme which involved some table-top chemistry (pictured above). And steak, of course.

Obentos' new winter spread

Obentos has a new winter menu from which you can stay curled up inside and order online. You might remember their braised kimchi tofu bento from years past. Also fresh up with beef and vegetable options is a homemade Japanese curry rice as well as a hot salad – a brown rice salad with wafu vinaigrette dressing and either steamed chicken or grilled tofu.

Beiluo Bread Bar has the right idea with new soups – a German goulash and a creamy potato soup, both served with their classic brown bread.  Keep an eye out for a range of salads (with toppings such as chicken breast, tuna or antipasto vegetables) to be added to the offerings in the upcoming future.

Nachos with chili con carne

Two weeks ago, Plan B was sprucing up their kitchen and now it's time to reap the rewards. Owner Trevor Metz has rolled out a heap of new items including nachos with chili con carne (RMB 70), chicken tenders (RMB 35), and dry ribs seasoned with sea salt, pepper and garlic (RMB 35).

Chicken club sandwich

On the classic sandwich front, there is a fine-looking chicken club (RMB 45) and a tuna melt (RMB 40) or, for friends of the fauna, a cheese, basil and tomato melt (RMB 35). A variety of burgers are, naturally, the menu's center piece with new additions such as a buffalo chicken burger (RMB 50) as well as a selection of gourmet hotdogs (RMB 40-60). Get two for one burgers every Monday, if you're feeling excessive or have friends. Wednesdays are also a good deal at Plan B with a pound of wings for RMB 25.

Yogurt and muesli

Great Leap announced that they would be introducing a new brunch menu to round out the spread of American burger joint food already warmly embraced by ravenous revelers on the fringe of Sanlitun. I had the luxury of a pre-tasting this past weekend. The early afternoon meal rolled out in courses, although once finalized, items will be offered a la carte. We had waves of yogurt with muesli, housemade sausages with prickles of mala from the sichuan peppercorn spicing, a lovely fried egg whose yolk cascaded yellow over biscuits and gravy, and a fried chicken sandwich – the tenor of which is much like their burgers: upmarket McDonald's. This isn't a bad thing. Of note was the waffle topped with pork belly. Most superior brunch items really are just dessert masquerading as appropriate morning fare, and this is one. If you're not into games, and if you have no shame, straight-up order a slice of Sweet Tooth Cafe's carrot cake (on the Brewpub's menu). Public tastings will be available this weekend for RMB 100. Check out details here.

The Brewpub will be getting coffee from Rickshaw Roasters shortly, but until then you can pop down the street to Sweet Tooth Cafe. They seem to be settling into their new space quite well – there's always been a diligent freelancer camping out with a laptop or a couple chatting over coffee. They have espresso drinks with beans from Coffee Man and a few new November specials which are worth noting. Tuesday-Thursdays from 5-7pm, desserts are buy-one-get-one-free. They're offering two daily RMB 50 specials as well: coffee/tea plus a slice of cake or a Tavalin bagel with filling plus a coffee.
 

Polenta with sausages and braised onion sauce

The ever-faithful Annie's is also maintaining a brisk clip. With a newly hired Italian baker, the small Italian empire is offering, free focaccia made with imported, high grade olive oil and flour, to all customers. Look for a new speciality bread to be offered every two months. Their winter menu has a swath of new delights including a trio of polenta dishes (one with house-made sausages, RMB 78), fusilli with mixed wild mushrooms, walnuts, and fresh arugla, and their signature swiss cheese fondue (RMB 118). If you're in Shunyi, nestle into their cinema dining room with one of these hearty dishes and catch a flick from their daily, changing screenings.

Photos: Iain Shaw, Obentos, Plan B, Cat Nelson, Annie's

Email: catnelson@thebeijinger.com
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