Openings: Flip That Switch to Fast

Get fired up – there's a new grill in town. And, if you're the type who likes it hot and quick, Sanlitun's got some new Chinese fast food for you to try.

Switch! Grill has been soft-opened in the Regent Land complex (behind the Swissotel) for a few weeks now, but starting tomorrow, they're making it official. It isn't an exact transplant from the previous 798 location, as they've turned up the metaphorical volume with a new customizable grill menu.

Meanwhile, the team behind the new Taiwanese restaurant Florence has opened up a convenient fast food-style cafeteria downstairs (with delivery) called Shisu100 (食速100). Hope you like it hot because they're branching out into Sichuan flavors, though they've promised to keep a few non-spicy dishes on the menu to keep our deep-seated pepper fears at bay.

I had a quick, cheap meal there last week and was pleased to come away without the MSG headache that all too often accompanies Chinese restaurants in this price range.

Finally, you can spend the weekend looking forward to Monday's announcement of our 2012 Reader Restaurant Awards. The first half of the winners will go live on the Beijinger blog at 11am and the second half will appear at 3pm.

Photo: Switch! Grill