Capital Bites: Burgers in CBD, Free-Flow Vedett White and Sliders for Cheap

If you're not sick of burger talk already, there's certainly far more to be had.

CBD is getting its share of the beef with Burger Bar's official opening in Parkview Green this Saturday June 1. Hubert Keller of San Francisco's Fleur de Lys first gave burgers the "haute cuisine treatment" in Las Vegas and has since then opened several branches around the States. The Beijing branch will be their first international location, and if reviews of the stateside outlets are any indication, then we'll be lucky.

3sums has really been hitting it with the deals and special events since their soft opening a few weeks back. Their official opening is this Saturday from noon-2am. The "14-hour non-stop summer block party" seems like it will be quite the steal as RMB 100 will snag you free-flow of the 16 kinds of mini-burgers, six varieties of fries, mini apple pies and samples from a secret menu (think In-n-Out) under development. The 100 kuai also ensure that you will be sloshed – should you choose – with free-flow Vedett White, Tsingtao, wine and fresh fruit punch (they're keeping it real with imported Kool-Aid as the punch base).

Last night, in fact, I was at 3sums, facing off with owner and frenemy Jerry Guo in a new challenge they will be launching. Fundamentally, it involves eating their entire menu of 16 sliders in 16 minutes. A fuller report on the results (I'm somewhat ill-feeling as I type this, to give you a preview) and the final details of the competition to be posted shortly.

It was certainly an appropriate way to begin the upcoming two months of The Beijinger's Third Burger Cup – more on that soon, too.

The Kempinski Hotel Beijing is making more moves on the sustainability tip. They're cutting down food miles in what ways they can with their newly opened "Secret Garden." They'll be planting fresh herbs and other produce outdoors and in an on-site greenhouse. Keep an eye out for the new ecological additions to the Kempinski restaurants' menus or stroll the grounds which were inspired by the classic children's book and film.

If you're over near Houhai, Eatalia Carpe Diem has a newly renovated rooftop adorned with mandarin trees and a set of summer specials. They've developed a new cocktail menu for the warmer weather and will be doing a Italian BBQ on the grill with veal tenderloin, lamb sirloin and fresh fish, and vegetarian options. Shisha should be available by the end of this month. And even better, Monday through Thursday, Eatalia is offering a ten percent discount along with special combos for the grill and cocktails.

Photo: www.foodsmackdown.com