CuJu Creator to Ride New Venue 'Caravan' into Jianwai Diplomatic Compound Area

Construction begins Wednesday on a new venue from CuJu Moroccan Bistro & Rummery proprietor Badr Benjelloun, to be called Caravan, and located near the Jianguomenwai Diplomatic Compound.

The 150-square-meter venue will encompass bits of two well-known Beijing former dining and drinking spots, Sequoia Cafe and the John Bull Pub. Those two sites have, since the late 1990s, housed The John Bull Pub, an outlet of Dunkin' Donuts (no kidding), the original Tim's Texas BBQ, Sequoia Cafe, Garden Books, and most recently, Casa Brasil.

"The caravan was the first form of diplomacy," Benjelloun said on why he picked the name for a bar and restaurant that is across the street from the Embassy of Brazil, and surrounded by other embassies and diplomatic housing. He described the new venue as having a "different feeling" from CuJu, but "still me." That means we should expect more Moroccan food and more rum. Same same, but different.

The move was sparked by the success of the original CuJu location on Xiguan Hutong. CuJu joins other hutong hipsters in expanding outside the Second Ring Road, including Great Leap Brewing and Mercante, the second venue of which, called Fiume, is now in soft opening near Maizdian.

Benjelloun said there may be some activity in Caravan before the end of the month, but for sure very early in January.

Photo: TripAdvisor