Latitude Trampoline Center: Test Your Fun Limits

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Fun? Latitude Tests Your “Fun” Limits

I have to warn you that after years in Beijing, many of you may struggle to handle this much fun.

If you do go to Latitude, try to ease into the fun gently. Don’t burn out in the first 10 minutes! I went with a bunch of CrossFitters (thanks to CrossFit Slash for organizing such an awesome field trip) and even they were pooped and ready to go home after just a few hours.

Latitude is an Australian trampoline center (Melbourne to be specific) that has made its way over to Beijing. Sensibly situated in Shunyi (sorry central Beijingers…), Latitude is bound to be a hit with families and o̶v̶e̶r̶g̶r̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶c̶h̶i̶l̶d̶r̶e̶n̶ adults everywhere.

As you can see from the pictures there is a lot of space and plenty of places to bounce. They have an airbag to practice flopping onto, basketball hoops to fulfill your lifelong dream of still-failing-to-dunk-like-Jordan, climbing walls, gladiator balancing beams with cushy long battle sticks (see photo above), and much much more.

Continue Reading » Latitude Trampoline Center: Test Your Fun Limits

Bespoke + Penguin: Midnight in Peking Walking Tour

Midnight in Peking still stands as my favorite China book. A true story about the horrific murder of a young expat girl in the late 1930’s of old Beijing, this story still haunts me but I love recommending it to everyone I know. It’s one of those books you just can’t put down (I think I read the whole thing in 72 hours and I’m sure there are many others who have done the same).

The book begins with the discovery of her dead, mutilated body found at the base of a haunted watchtower and the conclusions of her autopsy, so the scariest part is pretty much over after the first chapter (no need for spoiler alerts), but it really draws its readers deep into the twisted plot of this story as the murder mystery unfolds. While offering fresh insights into pre-war Peking, it’s incredible to learn about how Beijing’s network of alleys that surrounded the privileged and exclusive Legation Quarter was a seedy mix of brothels, dive bars and opium dens. In this tragic quest for justice, you have to just remind yourself that this isn’t fiction.

Not to be morbid, but the year that I read Midnight in Peking, I went to the Bookworm and bought 5 copies for family and friends back home as Christmas gifts. I was also one of the first people to sign up for Paul French’s walking tour. Not only did this walking tour through the back alleyways of old Peking bring the story to life, it was pretty awesome to have the privilege to meet the talented author of this gripping tale.

Continue Reading » Bespoke + Penguin: Midnight in Peking Walking Tour

Beats, Rhymes & Brunch: The Georg’s Garden Brunch

Garden Brunch at the Georg Every Sunday

The boys at the Georg seem to do things their own way and their approach to Sunday brunch is exactly in line with the playful yet focused take on food that’s been generating such a buzz around what seems to be Beijing’s most talked about new restaurant.

Far from a hotel-style buffet brunch (thank goodness!), the feeling of the Georg’s newly launched Garden Brunch is as fresh in its attitude as it is to the dishes you are served. The title of their menu pretty much sums it up – “beats, rhymes and brunch”.

Continue Reading » Beats, Rhymes & Brunch: The Georg’s Garden Brunch

Beijing Flea Market: Suns Out, Rooftop is On!

Suns Out! Beijing Flea Market Takes Over The Bookworm this Sat from 12-5PM

Back again with more craft goods, hand-drawn art, fashion pieces and accessories, gorgeous jewelry and tasty bites, Thrift is back at The Bookworm for another Beijing Flea Market this Saturday, April 2nd from 12PM-5PM.

With over 30 unique vendors showcasing their products, they will be rejoicing the long-awaited arrival of Spring with half of the vendors taking over their sunny rooftop deck!

“Come join the fun on the Bookworm’s rooftop terrace for a handmade market featuring a mix of independent designers and familiar faces. Indulge in drink specials all afternoon!” – The Bookworm

Continue Reading » Beijing Flea Market: Suns Out, Rooftop is On!

Napa Artisan Cooking: Californian Dining by Chaoyang Park

 Napa Expands to a Larger Restaurant Space by Chaoyang Park

Napa Artisan Cooking popped up with a small store-front on Chunxiu Lu (just west of Sanlitun) last year and sparked excitement with their healthy, Californian cuisine and then, equally rapidly, disappeared.

It seems as if the Napa team created their gourmet salads, soups and hot dishes with take-away and delivery in mind as a good base while they took their time to find a large location to open a full-service restaurant, but it looks like that day came sooner than expected because the little deli on Chunxiu Lu was closed after just a few months and they’ve already moved on to bigger and better things!

Continue Reading » Napa Artisan Cooking: Californian Dining by Chaoyang Park

The Hatchery: Reinvigorated Soul Bowls Soft Opening

Soul Bowls Weekday Lunch + Weekend Brunch Serves Food for the Soul

The successful food pop-up that was first launched at The Bookworm before the Hatchery opened at the beginning of 2016, Soul Bowls is back by popular demand and will be available for weekday lunch and weekend brunch at The Hatchery starting TODAY.

Featuring wholesome and delicious dishes, this is exactly the type of food that we should all be eating on a more regular basis – food that is good for the body, mind and soul. And don’t let the name mislead you – while they have plenty of yummy foods appropriately served in bowls, they also have a fantastic line-up of fresh brioche sandwiches and a full Soul Bowls Breakfast (photo above), perfect to get your day/weekend off to a happy start.

Continue Reading » The Hatchery: Reinvigorated Soul Bowls Soft Opening

FEAST’s Carnivore Club with Chef Marino of Opera Bombana

“Meat” the Carnivore Club Dream Team

A native Aussie who grew up on a farm in Victoria, Chef Rob Cunningham of FEAST by EAST Hotel knows his meat. And I don’t just mean he knows how to grill a seriously good steak (like most Aussies I know). I mean that his childhood experience has taught him to use every single part of the animal and to show meat lovers that there’s a whole lot more to beef than just a burger or a ribeye steak.

Though Chef Rob started his very own Carnivore Club 2 years ago in March 2014 (with the BJ FOoDiEs entourage), it’s continued to grow over the years to also collaborate with other like-minded, talented chefs around town. For the first Carnivore Club dinner of 2014, Chef Rob will be teaming up with Chef Marino D’Antonio, Executive Chef of Opera Bombana this Thursday, March 24!

A personal project started by Chef Rob to help increase awareness of secondary cuts and offal that restaurants no longer commonly use, Chef Rob has continued to hold the torch of this food baby project high and proud and I can’t wait to see how these two talented chefs are about to re-define your concept of beef in this 5-course Italian-inspired dinner menu.

Continue Reading » FEAST’s Carnivore Club with Chef Marino of Opera Bombana

Cookie Heaven: 3rd Annual Cookie Monster Bake-Off

Get that Glass of Milk Ready, You’re About to Enter Cookie Heaven

Cookie Monster’s dream-come-true, Beijing’s sweet tooths are in for a real treat this coming weekend. An event designed for insatiable cookie addicts and have a bottomless pit for homemade, stuff-your-face-silly cookies, we’re all about that cookie.

But I’m not just talking about any cookie. I’m talking 20 different types of creative cookies, each one made from scratch by 20 brilliant bakers based in Beijing. There will be more than your fair share of cookies to munch your way through, it really doesn’t get much better than this!

From chewy and gooey to salty cookies, vegan cookies and crafty variations of your classic Chocolate Chip cookies, we are very proud to announce the top contestants who have made the cut and will be competing in this year’s Cookie Monster Charity Bake-Off!

Continue Reading » Cookie Heaven: 3rd Annual Cookie Monster Bake-Off