EAT: New Dinner Menu at Panorama, New Dishes at Moka Bros, Pizza Saporita Chaoyang Park Relocating

EAT: Your bite-sized guide to the best eats to be had in Beijing this week.

Pizza Saporita Chaoyang Park to relocate, closed until May 15

The Chaoyang Park branch of Pizza Saporita, which took tenth place in the 2021 Pizza Cup, has temporarily closed while they relocate to a new location nearby. Expect the new store to reopen in Xinhui Garden (opposite the south gate of Palm Springs International Apartment) on May 15. In the meantime, you can still visit or order pies from Pizza Saporita's Dongzhimen location.

Panorama launches new dinner menu

Back in October 2021, we blogged that Panorama had extended its opening hours into the evening, and they have now launched a brand new menu that should definitely tempt you to go over there for dinner (or any time of the day really). Fans of their signature crepes and galettes will be delighted to hear that they are now available after 5pm, but we are perhaps more excited about their new "cocotte" series. In French, cocotte refers to both a tight-lidded cooking pot (similar to a Dutch oven) and to the hearty, slow-cooked dishes that are cooked in said pot. Choose from dishes like 48-hour marinated beef Burgundy or cassoulet with duck leg confit — perfect for the chilly, grey weather we're having. We'll be heading over to try them soon.

Three new specials at Moka Bros

Whether you are on a healthy new year eating plan or trying to cut down on your meat consumption in 2022, you can rely on Moka Bros to have options that show that healthy doesn't necessarily have to equal boring. Their three new monthly specials embody that concept to a tee, featuring high-quality proteins, super grains, and plenty of veg. Try a seafood pasta dish with tiger prawns, crab, and salmon roe in a garlicky tomato sauce, or go veggie with a tofu steak served with fruity curry sauce and tomato brown rice. We also love the sound of the Sichuan-style soba noodles with a nourishing spicy beef bone broth, definitely a perfect combo for cold days. The spicy curried tofu steak and the Sichuan mala soba noodle soup will only be available until Jan 19, so get down to your nearest Moka Bros and try them before then. 

Jan 14: American soul food basics with Chef Olivia at The Hutong

While January is often seen as a month for healthy eating, giving up booze, and other self-deprivation, to our minds, the chilly weather and lack of festive cheer still call for some comfort food (life is all about balance, after all). Luckily, the folks at The Hutong seem to agree because they have invited Chef Olivia, founder of Beijing's top soul food concept, Tianmi Bakery, to hold an American soul food cooking class on Jan 14. Olivia will teach you how to make four different soul food classics: mac and cheese, fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, and her signature green beans. The class is priced at RMB 350 per person.

Jan 16: Early Chinese New Year celebrations at Black Sesame Kitchen

Start your Chinese New Year celebrations early at Black Sesame Kitchen with a 10-course menu featuring festive Chinese dishes. You'll also enjoy two wine pairings. Dinner is priced at RMB 350 per person, with the option to pay an extra RMB 100 to add a mini dumpling cooking class and welcome drink. 

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Images courtesy of the restaurants, Shardar Tarikul Islam (via Unsplash)