Capital Bites: Late Night Snacks at Great Leap and a New Green Bites Dumpling Bar

Beyond their daily lunch (11.30am-2pm) and dinner (5-10pm) service, Great Leap Brewpub in Sanlitun has rolled out a new late night bar snack menu (Sun-Thu 10pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 10pm-1am). You'll find the fried chicken, wings and onion rings from the daytime menu, but also look for new additions like hand-cut sweet potato fries (RMB 25), carrot hush puppies (RMB 25) and a pale ale chili with a classic white bread American grilled cheese sandwich (RMB 40).

Green Bites Dumpling Bar has opened a second, larger branch over in CBD just north of The Place. You can find them in the World City complex with the T.G.I. Friday's opposite from Central Park. They're still serving a full menu of dumplings with fresh ingredients and a few fully organic options, but have expanded the options to include hot dishes, rice and noodles and a rice bento option.

Agua has teamed up with DiningCity.com for the Dragon Boat Festival (June 10-12) and upcoming Father’s Day (June 16). If you book a table through DiningCity.com, each diner will receive a glass of complimentary sparkling wine.

Zap Urban Eatery has several combos on offer for RMB 50. Options run the range of a sandwich, soft drink + a cookie to a pie + a soft drink to a coffee + a cake/brownie or two beers + a hot chips cup. They've also opened their mini-bar at Zap with RMB 20 mixed well drinks (vodka, rum, or gin + a mixer) and RMB 30 mixed drinks (Absolute, Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker Red Label or other mid-shelf spirits + a mixer). Wine is sold at RMB 30 per glass and RMB 90 per bottle. Imported beers are RMB 20 and local are RMB 15.

The good folks over at The Hutong are launching "a series of communal experimental brunches" in partnership with 3sums called The Taste Lab. It's a three-course meal with sides and a selection of mini-cocktails. Each meal will have a DIY approach with demonstrations and a focus on one ingredient each time. This weekend's brunch (Sun Jun 16 noon-2pm) will be a "celebration of pork." Seats are RMB 220 per person, RMB 180 for members. Book here to join them on the rooftop for Sunday brunch.

Photo: Cat Nelson