To Try List: New Healthy Mediterranean, Brunch Specials and More

Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more happenings in Beijing.

MTerra opens up in Indigo Mall, American barbecue comes to Sanlitun thanks to Malty Tiger, a new sandwich shop-cum-gastropub opens, there’s a special “Double Trouble” brunch this weekend, plus new menu offerings from a range of places and more foodie news! 

MTerra Brings Healthy Mediterranean Food to Indigo Mall

The team behind beloved healthy eating spot Avocado Tree has just opened a brand new eatery called MTerra. Sharing the same space as their Indigo Mall Avocado Tree location, MTerra serves up quick, simple and healthy Mediterranean food that’s perfect for a balanced midweek lunch or dinner. They do a range of Pita Bowls (RMB 39-49 in store, RMB 41-51 on waimai) which are filled with crunchy veggies; your choice of protein – white fish, chicken shredded beef or falafel; a scoop of their delicious hummus; and served with a slice of super soft pitta and a serving of tzatziki.

Along with the bowls they do Wraps (RMB 39-49 in store, RMB 41-51 on waimai) which are filled with rice, chickpeas, veggies, salsa hummus,  tzatziki and your choice of protein – white fish, chicken, shredded beef or falafel. For both the bowls and the wraps you can choose whether you want spicy or non-spicy. If wanted you can add on extras like falafel, more pitta, tzatziki, hummus etc. They also have a great choice of refreshing drinks like the Coconut Drink (RMB 19), Coconut Water Americano (RM 20) or Rice Milk Latte (RMB 26), the latter of which we’d definitely recommend with its beautiful toasted aroma. MTerra is a great addition to Beijing’s healthy eating scene and is available now in store at Indigo Mall or on Meituan Waimai and Eleme.

MTerra
56a, 3F, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤港购物中心3层56a单元
Hours: 10.30am-9pm
Phone: 135 2193 1025

Back to Back Brunches from EastEnd and Giada Garden This Weekend

Brunch lovers of Beijing rejoice! Courtesy of a special collaboration between Chef Marino D’Antonio from GIADA Garden, and Chef Jarrod Verbiak from EastEnd Grocery there is not one but two special brunches you can indulge in this weekend (Jul 6 and 7). The two chefs, both with over ten years of experience each in the capital, will be partnering up for the first time to create a “Double Trouble” brunch adventure. 

On Saturday, EastEnd will be taking over GIADA Garden with a set menu brunch, where you can choose either Brunch with Free flow Prosecco or Spritz (RMB 488), Brunch with Free flow Champagne or Franciacorta (RMB 688) or Brunch Food Only (RMB 428). The brunch menu includes a range of appetizers to share and your choice of main course and dessert. On Sunday GIADA Garden will headline at EastEnd with a range of savory and sweet a la carte brunch dishes to choose from. You can see the full menu and further details on the collaboration here.

GIADA Garden
3F, China World Hotel, Jintong Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区金桐东路中国大饭店三楼
Brunch hours: Sat, Jul 6, 11.30am-3pm
Phone: 010 6505 7671

EastEnd Grocery
1/F, Pacific Century Place (outside West Gate), A2 Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工人体育场北路甲2号盈科中心1层
Brunch hours: Sun, Jul 7, 11.30am-3pm
Phone: 010 8599 9116

Malty Tiger Brings American Barbecue to Sanlitun 

American barbecue spot Malty Tiger has opened up a new location in Xingfucun, their second location in the capital. They’ve taken over the space formerly occupied by Mai Steakhouse and for now have kept the inside largely the same, although the removal of the formal white tablecloths gives it a much more casual vibe. Here they’re serving up their range of classic American barbecue dishes like Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork (RMB 98) or Fruitwood Low-Temperatue Smoked Beef Brisket (RMB 128) along with a range of classic sides such as Potato Salad (RMB 58) or Slow-Roasted Creamed Corn (RMB 38). They’ve also got a few burgers on the menu including the intriguing sounding Lao Gan Ma Lamb Burger (RMB 88). Aside from food, they’ve also got a range of their signature brews up for grabs as well. 

Malty Tiger 麦芽虎美式烤肉酿 (Sanlitun branch)
朝阳区幸福二村39-9
39-9 Xingfuercun Chaoyang District
Hours: noon-11pm
Phone: 138 1006 9173, 180 3186 7215

New Sandwich-Shop-Cum-Gastropub The Sandy Opens 

The team behind The Odds and The Ends has just opened up a brand new spot in Xinyuan Lixi, having their official opening party yesterday (Jul 4). The name The Sandy refers to the American English slang for sandwiches, of which they specialize in. During the day they serve up a range of creative and classic open face sandwiches like the Spanish Chicken Sandwich (RMB 78), the Pork Mole Sandwich (RMB 88) or the Eggs Benedict Sandwich (RMB 68). 

Come evening though, they take on a more gastropub vibe and switch out the open face sandwiches for a menu of Asian fusion snacks like Thai Chili Sticky Ribs (RMB 68) or Vietnamese Scallop and Prawn Cerviche (RMB 78). On the drinks front, they have a whole range of alcoholic delights including their own wine Desperate Parents (RMB 38) and a range of unique cocktails such as the Szechuan Pepper Gin and Tonic (RMB 58) or Salted Plum Bourbon Highball (RMB 58) as well as classics like the Espresso Martini (RMB 68). 

The Sandy
1 Jia Xinyuan Lixi, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源里西甲一号
Hours: 11am-2am
Daytime menu hours: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-2.30pm
Phone: 199 1072 7317

Side Street Adds Banh Mi to Their Jiaodaokou Menu 

Hot off the back of their Juicy Burger Cup win, Side Street is proving that their creativity doesn’t just lie in crafting delicious burgers but in sandwiches too. At their Jiaodaokou location they’ve added four new sandwiches to the menu including three variations of the famous Vietnamese banh mi as a special for summer. The sandwiches have been created by Chef Michael, who formerly worked at Vietnamese food spot Four Corners and also helped design Side Street’s new Hanoi Heat Burger (RMB 88). 

On the banh mi front, they’ve got two meaty options: Pork Belly (RMB 78), braised five spice pork belly with fish sauce and a bit of sweetness; and Beef & Onion (RMB 78), lemongrass marinated sliced beef steak sautéed in caramelized onions with fish sauce. Then they’ve also got the Viet Veggie (RMB 58), five spice tofu braised in soy sauce with jalapenos and peanut sauce. Aside from banh mi, they’ve got the new Chicken Croissant Sandwich (RMB 58) that takes creamy chicken, tomato and lettuce and then stuffs it inside a buttery croissant. 

Side Street (Jiaodaokou branch)
113-02 Jiaodaokou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口东大街113号-02
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am
Phone: 176 0088 1832

The Local Launches New Menu, With Exciting Additions and Old Favorites

The Local recently gave their menu a brand new update, including a snazzy makeover with pictures! New additions include things like a range of platters including the hefty Mixed Grill (RMB 568) which has meaty offerings like sausages, filet mignon medallions, slow-cooked chicken as well jumbo prawns and veggies. Or for a lighter option, there is the Serrano Ham Sandwich (RMB 88) which features jamón serrano, fresh cheese and arugula greens. They’ve also added back some much loved old favorites like the Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese (RMB 68) – one of a whopping seven mac and cheese offerings on the menu – and the Chicken Caesar Wrap (RMB 58). 

The Local Bar & Grill
1/F, 101, Southeast of Zone E, Bldg 80, Courtyard No. 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院80号楼E区东南侧第一间101一层
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010 6591 9525

Shake Shack Introduces Avocado and Bacon Burgers Plus Breakfast Burgers

If you’re a fan of avocado and bacon, then you’re going to love Shake Shack’s newest summer menu additions: the Avocado Bacon Burger (RMB 65) and Avocado Bacon Chicken Burger (RMB 65). In a promotion they’ve dubbed the “Bravo-cado Summer” these burgers are available now until Sep 8. The new burgers can also be purchased in a drinks package with a glass of Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade (RMB 93) or a Brooklyn Beer (RMB 103). 

As well as the avocado and bacon burgers, Shake Shack is also now doing breakfast burgers. Similar to a McMuffin in appearance they’ve got four varieties up for grabs: Cheese and Egg Burger (RMB 30), Arugula Cheese and Egg Burger (RMB 30), Pork Cheese and Egg Burger (RMB 35) and Bacon and Cheese Burger (RMB 35). 

Shake Shack (Sanlitun branch)
Taikooli South, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路太古里南区s9-12a、12b
Hours: 7am-10pm
Phone: 010 6466 6508

Zarah Adds New Colorful Delights to Their Menu

A few weeks back Zarah updated their menu adding an array of healthy and not-so-healthy – we’re looking at you Deep-fried Camembert with Homemade Mango Chutney (RMB 50) – delights. For brunch fans, they’ve got Smoked Salmon with Poached Egg (RMB 60) which sees sourdough bread smeared with cream cheese and topped with salmon, avocado, arugula and a poached egg served with homemade radish pickle. Also don’t forget that their brunch is available all day so you can order it whenever!

Some new super healthy additions are the Beetroot Hummus Bowl (RMB 48) served with fresh vegetable sticks and pitta bread and the Power Wrap (RMB 58) that stuffs bulgur what, beetroot hummus, feta, lettuce, tomato, red cabbage, inion wild peppers and your choice of spicy or tartar sauce all inside a tortilla wrap.

Cafe Zarah
46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼东大街46号
Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am
Phone: 010 8403 9807

READ: To Try List: Malo's on Meituan, Laksa Queen Opens & More

Images: Katie Coy, courtesy of the venues, Dianping