Find X-Mas Treats at The Hutong’s Winter Fayre

“Fayre is an old English word describing a fun gathering featuring a range of locally produced goods made and sourced from, and connected to the local community.”

The Hutong’s Winter Fayre brings this concept of a traditional fayre to Beijingers next Sunday, December 11, which will also be the last Christmas Bazaar of the year ie, your last chance to stock up on Christmas gifts for friends and family!

Featuring a “warm-winter” theme, they will be serving hot cups of vin brulé (mulled wine) and have live caroling. The fayre will be selling a wide range of products from homemade jams and infused teas and cheeses to handmade handicrafts, photography to jewelry, unique cards and papers, handmade body scrubs, baked goods to chocolates to cashmere scarves.

Some popular vendors who will be selling their goods include:

• BJ Postcards
• Great Leap Brewery
• Hand Affection
• Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat
• Koko Chocolate
• Le Formager de Pekin
• Lollipop Bakery Cupcakes
• Puddington Pies
• Sassy Scrubs
• Shangrila Farms
• Starfish Jewelry
• Tai Tai
• Tea Journeys
• Time Out’s “Beijing Past and Present Design Competition” T-shirts and Tote Bags by AnyShopStyle.cn
• Viaggio Scarves

Check out BJ Postcards at The Hutong’s Winter Fayre

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, December 11
• Time: 11AM-3PM
• Location: The Hutong
• Address:#1 Jiu Dao Wan Zhong Xiang Hutong 东城区九道弯中巷1号
• Contact: info@thehutong.com
• Website: Click here

Operation Smile: Celebrate 20 Years with 2,000 Smiles

Join Operation Smile in celebrating their 20th successful year in China where they’ve already brought 20,000 new smiles to faces across the country.  The event hopes to raise enough to complete another 2,000 new smiles for children in need.

Hosted at JW Marriott’s Loong Bar, the event requests a RMB 150 donation at the door that includes two drinks, light refreshments and a raffle ticket for your chance to win prizes valued at up to RMB 15,000!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, December 1, 2011
• Time: 7PM
• Location: Loong Bar (JW Marriott hotel)
• Address: 2nd Floor of JW Marriott, 83 Jian Guo Lu, China Central Place, 建国路83号华贸中心二层
• Website: Click here.

The Beijing Guild: A Knitting & Crafts Community

Knitting is a great winter activity.  It’s a wonderful way to pass time indoors, sheltered from the bitter outside cold.  I like to imagine that as I get older, perhaps even myself as a grandma knitting scarves and mittens on a comfy rocking chair next to a blazing fireplace.  I say imagine because I’ve never had anyone in my family knit anything and I’d like to break that trend and be the first.  Last winter, I was determined to learn how to knit and The Beijing Guild group welcomed me with open arms and showed me the art of knitting.

Whether you are a killer knitter or someone who has ever wanted to develop your skills as a quality knitter, the Beijing Guild does some seriously impressive knitting and many of the little socks, caps and blankets they create are donated to wonderful organizations including the Bethel Foundation and Blue Sky charities.

The group gets together over weekly sessions (normally on Tuesday afternoons), and within a casual environment, it’s a wonderful way to meet new people, exchange ideas and share projects and expertise.

Check out their website to sign up for The Beijing Guild and find out about their upcoming workshops.  New workshop kits start at RMB 200.

To get started with your own knitting tools, Beyond Knitting is a great solution.

They offer exquisite 100% natural fiber yarns, imported yarns, knitting tools and pattern books. And great news for all Beijingers, they offer free delivery anywhere in China. Contact details:contact@beyondknitting.com

Save-the-Date: BICCO’s Christmas Charity Dinner

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the trees, lights and holiday decorations come flooding out as everyone begins gearing up for Christmas and New Years! Hopefully by now, most of you have awoken from your turkey comas and you are in the holiday mind set to begin Christmas shopping and party planning.

There are many upcoming gala dinners, holiday balls and Christmas dinners coming up in the next few weeks, but be sure to mark your calendars and save the date for this event in particular – “Unlock the Future”, which is a Christmas Charity Dinner and Silent Auction that will take place on Saturday, December 10.

We have a goal of raising RMB 200,000 in ONE NIGHT with all funds raised on this evening to be donated to Beijing International Committee for Chinese Orphans (BICCO)‘s Shunyi Orphanage Rehabilitation Program to help support over Chinese orphans and children with disabilities.

“Without this program and the work of BICCO, many of these children would not leave their beds or even have a chance at a potential future outside of the walls of this state-run facility.” – Amy Zima, organizer of Unlock the Future Christmas Charity Dinner

Hosted at Kagen Japanese BBQ Restaurant, there will only be 200 seats available and all charitable guests will be treated to 10 dish menus created by Alan Wong and his top chefs at Kagen, a champagne toast and select wines paired with a lovely meal.

Acoustic musician David Mitchell will be performing several different instruments and there will also be other live music entertainment including some Christmas Caroling (just part of the jolly holiday spirit!).

The event will also be featuring great silent auction prizes including Apple products, a private dinner for 10 at Hatsune by owner Alan Wong paired with wines by Wine Republic (valued at RMB 13,000), a 2-night weekend stay at The Westin, a Hummingbird spa package (valued at RMB 7,000), a GungHo! pizza party, handmade necklaces from April’s Adournments, a custom Hutong Tour by Bespoke Beijing, a Punjabi Indian Feast and with many other restaurant vouchers around town.

Sign up early at either who get pre-sale price RMB 600 or you can also pay RMB 800 at the door (if there are any seats left!).  To book your seats in advance, you can either purchase tickets at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun branch, or Ivy Academy at East Lake Villas.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Time: 6:30PM Cocktail Reception, 7:30PM Dinner
• Location: Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ Restaurant
• Address:  Located below the Original Hatsune on Guanghua Lu
  • B1/F, Bldg C, Heqiao Dasha, 8 Guanghua Donglu, Chaoyang District
  • 朝阳区光华东路8号和乔大厦C座地下1层
• Tickets: Only 200 seats available! RMB 600 (pre-sale), RMB 800 (at the door)
• Tickets are available for sale at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun restaurant and Ivy School in East Lake Villas (Suite C-101 No. 35, Dongzhimenwai) Call: 8451 1381
• For more information: Call 135 2034 1984

BJ FOoDiEs: “Flower” Charity Dinner at Starfish

Tonight is Hatsune’s OysterFest with all-you-can-eat-oysters and Hatsune sushi and tomorrow is American Thanksgiving which guarantees I’ll be in a turkey coma all Thursday night through Friday, so my stomach should be definitely warmed up for the upcoming monthly BJ FOoDiEs charity dinner this Sunday, November 27 at Starfish Wine & Seafood Bar.

My favorite BJ FOoDiEs events are the ones that introduce us to newly opened restaurants I have yet to try, or in this case, even hear about!  I had no idea W Dine & Wine had been taken over and revamped into a new space called Starfish Wine & Seafood Bar.  So, apparently the space still specializes in wine…and seafood…but it’s under new ownership (Chris Hebert and Alisha Bailey) and they are focused more specifically on fresh oysters & seafood imported from all around the world and will soon be offering more than 20 wines by the glass! Seafoodies and Wine Geeks, this is your calling.

Starfish will be offering BJ Foodies guests a 3-course dinner menu + drink (wine/beer/soft drink) for only RMB 100.  See menu below…

With a capacity of only 70 (BJ FOoDiEs event are known to book out entire restaurants of a much higher capacity), they request for all who plan to attend to take a minute and RSVP to them directly: bjfoodies@gmail.com

Starfish’s Seafood Feast

Starfish Wine & Seafood Bar Dinner Menu + Drink = RMB 100

1. ASSORTED APPETIZER SAMPLER

FRIED FRESH LIVE OYSTERS 

w/ freshly squeezed lemons

SCALLOP CEVICHE

w/ chili pepper soup & diced basil

2. MAIN COURSE

SHRIMP SCAMPI PASTA

w/ linguini al-dente & poached shrimp

DUCK CONFIT

slow poached duck w/garlic cloves & peeled shallots

3. DESSERT

Creme Brulee

Chocolate Mousse 

“Indulge for a Cause”

November Charity Theme: ‘Flowers’

The charity to receive this months proceeds will go to ‘LITTLE FLOWERS PROJECT’ – The NGO works to build a culture of life by reaching out to those who are rejected, abandoned, deemed as useless, and who have no voice. Initially providing specialized care to abandoned infants & nuturing the growth and education of older disabled orphans, ‘Little Flowers’ has since expanded the work to all over China specializing in different programs and initiatives.

For more information: http://www.littleflowerprojects.org/

Foodies, Arm Yourself in 2012 with the Little Gold Book

Little Gold Book is like the “Little Black Book for Charitable Foodies in Beijing”.

It’s a coupon book with crazy good discounts on Beijing’s top restaurants with 30% of proceeds going towards local community charities.

Just think about it – All those places you’ve been wanting to try out or that you wish you could go more often (if they were more affordable), you can finally begin to eat your way through Beijing’s top dining destinations armed with a little gold book filled with coupons that are up to 50% off!

Here’s a few top deals you can score with The Little Gold Book:

• 50% off Hatsune
• 2 for 1 mains at Assaggi
• 2-for-1 wine at Enoterra
• 50% off Stumble Inn
• 2-for-1 Food Items at The Bookworm
• 50% off ROOMbeijing
• 2-for-1 cooking classes at Vegan Hut
• 50% off Filling Station
• RMB 50 discount on a dozen Lollipop Cupcakes

Click for full list of deals here (there are 85 deals by 70 restaurants).

For only RMB 240 per Little Gold Book, you can cover the cost of the entire book after just one meal at one of the 70 participating restaurants.  It’s valid for the entire 2012 year so there’s plenty of time to work your way through each deal.

With the holidays quickly approaching, the Little Gold Book is a great stocking stuffer for all fellow Beijing foodies!

Little Gold Book was first released at the Chi Fan for Charity 2011 After-Party at Hatsune and will be available for sale again at Kagen’s Christmas Charity Dinner on December 10th with 30% of proceeds going towards BICCO.

Little Gold Book is currently sold at The Bookworm, April Gourmet’s and Colibri.

Easy Xmas Shopping at The Gift Charity Bazaar

I always feel so much pressure to bring back home unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts that are personal, practical and something my friends and family can’t purchase in the US.  And I’m pretty sure my fellow Beijingers can relate to me when I say it’s an added pressure I try to avoid until the last possible moment each year before I go home for the holidays.

Granted the Silk Market does offer a million and one things, but the hassle of digging through all the useless crap and the hassle of haggling over prices is a huge turn-off for me, which is why I am so excited about The Gift Charity Bazaar this Sunday, November 20 at The Canadian International School.

Organized by Stage One Productions, this will be their third annual charity gift bazaar (last year brought over 1,100 visitors) and this year shoppers will be able to choose from a range of items displayed by over 50 vendors from around Beijing with vendors all donating at least 10% of all proceeds to helping to support several local charities including The Starfish Project, Care for Children, Bread of Life Bakery, Compassion for Migrant Children, Shepherd’s Field Children’s Village and Bethel.

Some goodies you can look forward to being on sale:

• Ceramics by 798’s Soul Collection
• Affordable Art
• Jewelry by The Starfish Project
• Beijing-inspired Christmas cards 
• Paper Tiger gift wrapping 

In addition to all these local vendors selling entirely unique products, the event will also be featuring live music by Avodah and Eluvia, plenty of food courtesy of Home Plate BBQ, Punjabi Indian Restaurant and sweets by Bread of Life Bakery.

Artists Stephen Gleadow and Zhang Jianbo from the artist’s movement and book TheUrbanity Project, will also be on hand to sign copies and discuss their artwork.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, November 20
• Time: 11AM-4PM
• Ticket: RMB 10 Entrance
• Location: Canadian International School
• Address: 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Liangmaqiao, Chaoyang district  朝阳区亮马桥路38号
• Website: www.cisb.com.cn/

Get Ready to Rumble: Black Tie Charity Boxing Event

I have never seen an actual boxing event, I think the closest I’ve been is watching all the Rocky Movies.

But this Saturday, November 19, 2011, the Hilton Beijing is teaming up with MMA to host a Black Tie Charity Boxing event with fighters coming to Beijing from all over the world (USA, Russia, Austria, Czechoslovakia, China and Samoa) with a schedule of 10 fights throughout the evening.

“A night of world class fighting that’s sure to exhilarate anyone from the novice spectator to the die-hard boxing fan.”

Alongside these fights, the Hilton will serve a full-on four-course gala dinner paired with premium wine and a silent auction including signed items by boxing kings Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson with proceeds going to China Youth Development Foundation: Project Hope.  Proceeds raised will be used to improve teaching facilities of schools built in poverty-stricken areas of China.   

Tickets are available from RMB 888 second row and RMB 1288 ring side, including show and a four-course dinner with wine/beverages. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter set up in the lobby of Hilton Beijing or you can contact May directly for reservations or inquiries: MayLea.Ling@hilton.com or call 5865-5120.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011
• Time: 7:00PM
• Location: Hilton Beijing
• Address: 1 Dong Fang Road North Dong Sanhuan Rd. Chaoyang District  朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号
• Tickets: RMB 888-1288
• Contact: MayLea.Ling@hilton.com or call 5865-5120

Shook!: Chi Fan For Charity Expands to Shanghai

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris and I was not going to miss out on a such a great excuse to make a weekend getaway to Shanghai!

Already sponsoring 4 tables of 10 at Hatsune, Kagen, Kagen Teppanyaki and Karaiya Spice House, Alan Wong is also the official sponsor of Chi Fan for Charity’s After-Party (at Hatsune Sanlitun for the 2nd year in a row).  As a big fan and supporter of Chi Fan for Charity, we wanted to show Shanghai some love too!

While Beijing’s beneficiaries this year include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation, Shanghai’s beneficiaries this year include Heart to Heart, Compassion for Migrant Children and Chi Heng Foundation.  (See here for list of charities and all the wonderful work they do.)

With 26 glorious restaurants to choose from, we decided to host a table of 10 at Shook! Restaurant.  Chef Kevin Cape and GM Julien Laracine were both exceptional hosts to our private 5-course dinner at their prized chef’s table just in front of Shook’s beautiful open kitchen.

“An open-kitchen conveys the feel of ‘dining without borders’ – intimate, nothing hidden, open to all – a concept which transcends the menu. With whispers of Chinese, Japanese, South-East Asian and modern Western, yet flexible enough to transport you anywhere your heart and palate desire.”

See here LDS Snapshots of Shook’s Hallway of Wine and Open Kitchen:

After a few glasses of champagne at the bar, we sat down at Shook!’s private chef’s table where we were treated to a beautiful 5-course meal, a fusion of Chinese, South-east Asian and Western cuisine.  The venue is absolutely stunning and the service was exceptional. The food?  See for yourself all the goodies we were treated to…

LumDimSum Snapshots of Shook’s Dishes:

Amuse Bouche (Chinese-style soup) / Prawn Appetizers with walnuts (Chinese style)

Shared Appetizers: Perfectly Roasted Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

1st Course: Confit of Salmon/ Refreshing Orange Sorbet with Mango Ravioli

Main Course: Slow-Cooked Grain Fed Beef / Macaroon Dessert

Shook!’s Tiramisu and Creme Brulee

GM Julien then let us make our own crepes table-side!  Chef Anna took over and the result was delightful…

 Shook! Crepes:  BEFORE & AFTER

Thank you to the team at Shook! for a wonderful dining experience and big thanks to Kelly Olver and Katie Littlefield (Austen Morris) for arranging such a successful first Chi Fan for Charity Event in Shanghai!

It’s not too late for you to be a part of the Chi Fan for Charity event in Beijing, TONIGHT: Saturday, November 5! See details here.

Check for last remaining seats at CFFC Sponsoring Restaurants here.

In case you can’t make it to dinner and you still don’t want to miss out on this great event, there are still a few tickets left for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village.  Click here to buy your ticket!

With 400-500 people dining at Beijing’s best establishments, everyone will come together for a brilliant celebration at Hatsune.

The Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village will be featuring free flow drinks by our generous sponsors (Wine Republic, Tiger Beer, El Charro Tequila and Hatsune’s signature cocktails), DJ Patrick Yu spinning tunes, and awesome silent auction and raffle prizes. 

For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to two very worthwhile causes and show your support.  This year’s beneficiaries include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

3 Days Left! Count Down to Chi Fan for Charity 2011

Get excited people, Beijing’s biggest culinary charity events of the year is only a few sleeps away!

I just had a look at the Official Chi Fan for Charity website and here’s a quick update on what’s still available.

Only 10 Restaurants with Seats Left!

• 4 seats left at The Courtyard
• 2 seats left at Fuel
• 1 seat left at Grange Steak House in Westin Chaoyang
• 3 seats left at Hercules
• 5 seats left at Karaiya Spice House
• 6 seats left at Oden
• 4 seats left at ROOMbeijing
• 5 seats left at Punjabi Indian Restaurant
• 2 seats left at Vasco’s
• 11 seats left at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) - *note: Ignace has graciously donated 50 seats to Chi Fan for Charity so that is why there are so many seats left here.  This is a stunning space and guaranteed to be an exceptional experience for anyone keen to get a sneak peak at TRB before they officially open their doors to the public!  

Click here to purchase your seat at one of the supporting Chi Fan for Charity Restaurants before they’re all gone!

In case you can’t make it to dinner and you still don’t want to miss out on this great event, there are still 30 tickets left for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village.  

With 400-500 people dining at Beijing’s best establishments, everyone will come together for a brilliant celebration at Hatsune.

The Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village will be featuring free flow drinks by our generous sponsors (Wine Republic, Tiger Beer, El Charro Tequila and Hatsune’s signature cocktails), DJ Patrick Yu spinning tunes, and awesome silent auction and raffle prizes. 

For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to two very worthwhile causes and show your support.  This year’s beneficiaries include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

This year’s after-party will be displaying our incredibly awesome silent auction items (which you can start bidding on NOW!)

A few of my top picks for Silent Auction prizes include:

•  It’s always sunny in…

• Need to get away from the cold, grey Beijing winter? Get some California sun with two airline tickets to a destination of your choice, hotels and passes to museums in San Francisco and two days at Disneyland with accommodation. And we’ll even throw in a suitcase.  (2 round-trip tickets on United to any U.S. destination, 3 pieces of Newcomer luggage, 2 nights in LeMeridien San Francisco, 2 nights in Omni San Francisco, 2 nights at Disneyland hotel with 2 adult park passes, 2 General Admission Passes and 4 Special Exhibition Passes (2 Per Exhibition) to the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco )

• Yunnan Escape  

• This package offers the intrepid traveler a true immersion into authentic Southern China. Guests at the Linden Centre will receive a 3-night complimentary stay and round-trip transportation transfer in an expansive and luxurious courtyard home in Xizhou, a pristine village in China’s Yunnan Province. After relaxing a bit, visitors to Yangshuo Basecamp in Fengluo Village, Guanxi, will receive 2 nights of camping, a tour guide for 2 days, and the option to pick 2 activities including rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, ziplining, or biking.

• Gourmet Host 

• Wish you could be the hostest with the mostest? It’s time to step up your game! With cooking classes, wine certification, food vouchers and all the utensils, you’ll be armed to  impress your dinner guests this winter.  (Cooking class for two at The Hutong, wine certification course from Long Geng Wines, set of Jamie Oliver cookbooks courtesy of Penguin Books, Tai Tai cheese platter, 588 RMB Baode meat gift package, wok, party napkins & loads of utensils)

• Turning Japanese 

• Ever wonder about the secrets to Hatsune’s sushi? Grab nine friends (or people you met last night) and spend an afternoon rolling and, of course, eating your own sushi. This package is for those who truly think they’re turning Japanese (you really think so?). (Private 10 person sushi making session at Hatsune including ingredients, recipes and equipment, plus a bottle of sake)

• Love of the Game (For Him) 

• It’s time for you to get in the game and and with the right gear, with sportswear from LiNing, a Hobie golf bag, an autographed basketball from the legendary Shaquille O’Neil and tickets to a game from NBA China. (LiNing running attire; hoodie or windbreaker and sneakers, LiNing urban attire; pair of shoes and apparel, Hobie golf bag &travel case, 1 Autographed NBA Sacramento Kings jersey signed by Tyreke Evans (signed jersey), 1 NBA Spalding Basketball autographed by Shaquille O’Neil, and 2 tickets to a 2012 NBA China basketball game)

• Fashionista 

• Every time you flip through the latest Cityweekend you enviously eye the style spread. Now, it’s YOUR turn. After getting your hair and makeup done and a new outfit, it’s time for you to be the envy of the town.  (Cityweekend style spread, Meili Autumn make-up consultation, Candy&Caviar outfit, Catherine de France 500RMB Voucher, Spanx collection of goodies)

• You say it’s your (kid’s) birthday! 

• For kids, there’s nothing more exciting than pizza night… unless, of course, it’s make-your-own pizza at GungHo. For your kid’s birthday this year, ditch the clowns and magicians and bring them to GungHo for a pizza making class. This package also includes tickets to a show, gifts and gift-wrapping.  (Pizza making for 3 adults, 7 kids at Gung Ho!, 6 tickets to a show from Feld Entertainment, Peridot Paper for gift-wrapping gifts, Ladybuy Trunkie and Sticker Wall Map from Counting Sheep, and 2 Culture Agents: Mission Beijing )

Full List of Silent Auction Prizes are here.

Chi Fan for Charity Plastered t-shirts are in stock and available for purchase.  100% of proceeds from the first 100 t-shirts sold will support charity.  Thanks Plastered!

The Little Gold Book 2012 will also be making its grand premiere at Hatsune’s CFFC After-Party.

With 70 brilliant culinary deals at some of the best restaurants in Beijing. you can win exceptional deals like 50% off at Hatsune and 2-for-1 mains at Assaggi! And what’s more is that Charities, Not-For-Profits and Community groups keep a whopping 30% of every Little Gold Book sold by them.  For only 240RMB, the Little Gold Book 2012 is also the perfect Christmas gift!  Pick up yours at the Chi Fan for Charity After Party.

*Starting Monday, October 30^th you can text in your bid early!  Just send your a text to 158-1084-8284 including: Item#, Bid Amount, and Last Name (Ex: #2, 2100rmb, Crain).  If you prefer the old-fashioned way, visit the silent auction tables at the Hatsune After-Party at 10pm on November 5^thand bid with pen and paper.  

Tickets to the Hatsune After-Party are RMB 250 pre-sale or RMB 300 at the door.  Click here to buy your pre-sale tickets online.

LumDimSummary: BJ FOoDiES Take Over Spice Factory

Last Sunday, BJ FOoDiEs took over Spice Factory, Beijing’s newest up-and-coming Thai restaurant opened by Warren Pang and the same team behind d.lounge (click here for previous review of Spice Factory) to support A Bridge for Children (ABC) charity organization.

Still in soft-opening, Spice Factory managed to served up a 10-dish feast for BJ FOoDiEs to sample many dishes off their menu-in-progress.  Since my last dining experience at Spice Factory, the dishes have improved ten-fold and the service was much better as well. I can only say that I wished the portions were bigger!

This month’s BJ FOoDIES had a great turn-out of over 80+ foodies who collectively raised a total of ￥4,006 RMB directly donated to A Bridge for Children (ABC).  See below for charity details.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Spice Factory’s Menu:

Sonin Law Eggs with Tamarind Sauce / Crispy Wontons

Chicken Peanut Curry / Green Papaya Salad with Rice Balls

Marinated Eggplant / Red Duck Curry

Spice Factory Pad Thai / Morning Glory

LumDimSum Snapshots of Spice Factory:

Spice Factory Thai Restaurant Details:

• Address: Directly to the left of d.lounge (walk up stairs to second floor) Gongti Bei Lu,  工体北路, Dlounge的旁边
• Tel: 6500-7939

About A Bridge for Children ‘ABC’

The charity to receive this months proceeds will go to A BRIDGE FOR CHILDREN – The charity is an NGO dedicated to serving underprivileged children by placing them into families & providing them with educational opportunities. Since its inception in 2007, ABC has successfully built a Domestic Adoption Program & recently launched an Education program in China. The goal is to build sustainable, replicable programs which the NGO will use to expand into other countries to address the issues present

For more information: http://abridgeforchildren.org 

**To Join the BJ FOoDIES Mailing List, email bjfoodies@gmail.com

**BJ FOoDiES will be hosting a table for Chi Fan for Charity at Karaiya Spice House on Saturday, November 5.  To Join the BJ FOoDiEs Table to support a great cause, see here for more details.

Chi Fan for Charity Website: www.chifanforcharity.org.

Chi Fan for Charity 2011: Tickets are Now on Sale!

“Good Eats. Good Times. Good Causes.”

Good food, good company and all for good causes – this really is my ideal event. As a proud member of the Chi Fan for Charity team, I am excited to be a part of such an inspiring event that involves such a strong community of individuals to come together and really make a difference with the selected charities we sponsor this year.

The concept for the charity event is simple. Restaurants donate set menus to the charity, which then charge diners for a specially-prepared meal. Each restaurant is offering at least three courses and two wine pairings for a table of 10.

Who can say no to being a part of such an all-around win-win-win situation?!  If you haven’t already booked your seat at one of the 39 fine dining establishments on board, tickets went on sale this week!

Many of the restaurants are already sold out (Agua, Bei, Barolo, Hatsune, Made in China, Mosto, Nobu, Orchid, Maison Boulud), but there are still 24 restaurants to choose from including Capital M, Susu, Sureno, ROOMbeijing, Modo, Karaiya Spice House, Punjabi, The Courtyard and the highly anticipated Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) by Maison Boulud’s ex-GM Ignace Lecleir.

“CFFC is happy to report that some of the Capital’s most interesting and influential people will once again host our tables. The evening will be filled with opportunities;talk economics with Forbes’ Gady Epstein, debate which restaurant has the best Kao Ya with restaurateur Alan Wong, gossip about philanthropy with Red Cross’ Ramsey Rayyis or discuss this season’s best reads with Penguin’s Managing director Jo Lusby. 2011′s table hosts are shaping up to be even more intriguing than last year’s stellar group.” – CFFC Newsletter

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year (with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris) and has set an ambitious goal to raise RMB 300,000 in this one night to be donated entirely to both the Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation and is now bringing its theme to Shanghai.

Visit http://www.chifanforcharity.org/bookings/restaurants/category/beijing-restaurants/ to book your spot at one of Beijing’s top 39 restaurants on November 5 at 7:30 pm.  Just select the restaurant of your choice and then follow instructions to purchase your tickets.  Remember: 100% of proceeds will go to Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the legendary after-party at Hatsune Sanlitun Branch will be where all diners unite together for boozin and schmoozin with old skool dance tracks by DJ Patrick Yu and drinks will be flowing courtesy of The Wine Republic, Kis Natural Vodka, El Charro Tequila, Tiger Beer and Hatsune.

In addition to great drinks and company, CFFC will feature some amazing silent auction packages. Although we can’t divulge what we have secured, we can guarantee that one lucky donor will be taken away on a once in a lifetime vacation.

Pictures from Chi Fan for Charity 2010:

BJ FoODiEs: ‘ABC’ Charity Dinner at Spice Factory

Spice Factory is one of two new restaurant venues recently opened by d.concepts, the same team behind d.lounge with the one and only F&B wizard, Warren Pang, working his magic once again. Spice Factory is located on the second floor just left of d.lounge presenting a modern take on Thai cuisine and from my previous experience (click here for my last article introducing Spice Factory) the food is kicking with flaming hot Thai spice and flavors.

“This eatery needs little introduction as one visit is enough to convince ya’ll why why the team was reluctant to share this awesome new find.” – BJ FOoDiEs Team

Better RSVP to make sure you get a seat!  Menu below…

BUSABA-ME

Spice Factory Dinner Menu + Drink = RMB 100

SONIN LAW EGGS

w/ house made tamarind glaze

ASSORTED SATAY SELECTION

w/ cherry tomato chutney 

DUCK & LYCHEE SALAD

w/ chili pepper vinaigrette 

CRISPY WONTONS

lightly battered w/ various dips

CHICKEN PEANUT CURRY

w/ roasted peppered potato wedges

RED DUCK CURRY

w/ shredded duck & baby eggplant

PAD-THAI FACTORY STYLE

w/ fresh spring onions, bean sprouts & seasoned vermicelli 

MORNING GLORY

kang kong water spinach stir fry w/ shrimp sambal

DESSERT

secret selection 

    + Glass of wine / Cocktail / beer

Support Magic Hospital: Beijing ABC’s Kids Book

 “Laughter is the Best Medicine.”

Richard Robinson is a long time friend and Beijing expat who has a passion for sharing laughter through means of entertainment (he’s co-founder and producer of Chopschticks comedy shows and plays) and writing children’s books.

Beijing ABC’s is his first book, which he created to bring smiles and laughter to children through educational books with ALL proceeds being donated directly to Magic Hospital. Featuring simply adorable illustrations by Ren Fengmian, this will make a great gift for kids of all ages.

“At 52-pages and full-color, it’s filled with fun rhymes and illustrations. As a bonus it features some Chinese words in both character and pinyin format making it both a fun and educational read for the whole family!” 

With each book at RMB 88, just remember: ALL proceeds of this book go directly to Magic Hospital!

To order a copy of Beijing ABC’s, please contact Magic Hospital’s fundraising manager – fundraising@magichospital.org or communications@magichospital.org.

Some Snapshots of Beijing ABC’s Book:

Background Info for Magic Hospital:

Magic Hospital strives to help in the healing of sick, abused, neglected and  orphaned children by restoring an element of fun in their day. They design and implement activities and programs for those children who are temporarily or permanently deprived of a carefree childhood.  

“Bringing fun and laughter to children across China”

Magic Hospital Website:  http://www.magichospital.org/

Nathan’s Famous Sponsors BBQ DAY for CMC Kids

As a part of Nathan’s Famous China National Championship Hot Dog Eating Competition back in June, Nathan’s Famous China generously donated 1,000 hot dogs to the children of Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC), a non-profit organization founded to help China’s urban migrant children through social and educational programs.

World-record holding hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut presented the donation himself in a giant check to the representatives and children of CMC.

To follow through with our commitment, Nathan’s Famous sponsored its first BBQ DAY at CMC’s Ping Xi Fu Center with a donation of 500 hot dogs to approximately 350 children on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

Transporting ourselves from Nathan’s Wanliu Branch, we packed a van with all our hot dog ingredients, four new BBQ grills (to be donated to the CMC Center as well) and of course our Frankster!  Together, we were ready to share the World’s Best 100% Beef Hot Dogs with a community of children where the majority  had never even heard of a hot dog, much less tasted one before.

Witnessing their all-consuming curiosity spread like wild-fire was thrilling and not only were these children incredibly well-behaved, their level of politeness and genuine gratitude was melting…if course it didn’t hurt that these kids are all absolutely adorable.  Shy at first, by the end of their first Nathan’s hot dog experience, they were running, skipping, jumping, playing with our Frankster, drawing us thank you cards and giving us giant bear hugs.

But in the end, class must resume.  Hugs were given, tears were shed and mutual gratitude was shared before we waved goodbye.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Nathan’s Famous Sponsored BBQ at CMC:

What happens to our Nathan’s Frankster after 4 hours of playing with 350 running, jumping children

About Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC)

“Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping children of migrant workers in Asia and their communities through social and educational programs.  CMC fills a gap in migrant communities by establishing community centers that offer comprehensive, holistic programming to migrant children and their families including vocational skills training, after school programs, teaching training seminars for migrant school teachers and family workshops.”

For more information about Compassion for Migrant Children and how you can donate or volunteer with their social and educational programs, visit their website: http://www.cmc-china.org/