Tour of CHAO Hotel 巢: Living Room’s Global Offerings

CHAO Hotel in Sanlitun

There was a lot of talk about The Den closing. This is partly due in part to the fact that they kept “almost” closing and then re-opening between the end of 2015 and mid-2016. But main reason for all the coverage is because, whether you want to admit it or deny it, we have ALL been to The Den. Even if you regret everything you’ve ever done or witnessed at the Den, you have to admit that their Eggs Benedict at 5AM really hits the spot.

A Beijing expat black hole that was always in its prime between the wee hours of 3am-7am, this was the official home of the Beijing Devils Rugby team and many of their infamous parties, and most importantly, this was probably the only establishment in Beijing that was NEVER closed. You heard me correctly –  The Den was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to cater to the great demand Beijingers continued to ask of it. That says a lot considering the Den has been open since 1997, which also happens to make this one of the longest lasting venues in Beijing.

So what happened to The Den and why did it close this year?

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Pachakutiq Pop-Up: A Peruvian Party of Flavors, Colors & Music

Pachakutiq’s Peruvian Pop-Up in China Central Place

Peruvian cuisine has been one of the few major omissions from the Beijing culinary scene as it has developed over the past few years. With the recent RAW Peruvian Pop-Up by Mosto, the return of Buena Onda at the Hatchery, and now the pop-up opening of Pachakutiq in the original location of Buena Onda in China Central Place, it looks like something catching on with Peruvian cuisine in Beijing! While all of the past and current Peruvian concepts are either set to be available for a limited time frame, we still have our fingers crossed that Peruvian cuisine will find a more permanent home in Beijing. So while it’s still a bit off and on, now is the time to get your fix.

Situated in the Cafe Flatwhite in the open courtyard space of the CBD’s China Central Place (in front of the Baccarat store and south of the Ritz-Carlton’s main entrance).  Taking over the Cafe Flatwhite space every day after 5PM, this is pretty much the same deal that Buena Onda also first launched in.  While it’s not necessarily convenient for those who aren’t based near the CBD, it is a great spot in the evening for a few drinks and refreshing snacks if you work in the area.

Having learned from the Chia sibling team of two brothers and a sister – Francisco, Maria and Juan Carlos Chia, they were born and raised in Lima, Peru with a family history of making Pisco, they are now keen to bring their family’s Pisco to China and also open a Nikkei gastronomic bar with a Peruvian chef that comes from Osaka, one of the most famous Nikkei restaurants in Lima.

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Double the Market, Double the Fun: Beijing Flea Market Turns 1!

Bash Out the Balloons, Beijing’s Beloved Flea Market Turns 1!

Celebrating their 1st birthday, The Beijing Flea Market is ballooning to double its size by spreading across two separate venues – The Bookworm (its home base) and now also Pop-Up Beijing just a few steps away in south Sanlitun.

This is the first time Beijing Flea Market has expanded and we’re all the more delighted to see this fun and crafty market continue to grow with more vendors selling unique craft goods, hand-drawn art, fashion pieces and accessories, gorgeous jewellery and tasty bites!

“Eat cake and drink champagne and spritzers with us as The Beijing Flea Market celebrates its 1st birthday on Saturday, July 16 from 11am to 5pm!! Aside from an indie makers sale on The Bookworm’s rooftop, we’ll be extending the market grounds to include an additional awesome venue in Sanlitun’s Courtyard 4 community: Pop-Up Beijing. Look out for even MORE vendors between the two spaces, new faces, and of course, locally made design, clothes, food, drink deals and more!” – Jessica Rapp, Founder of The Beijing Flea Market 

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The Orchid’s Private Residences: Savvy Staycation

Introducing The Orchid’s New Private Residences

My choice recommendation for out of town guests is always The Orchid.

A boutique hotel nestled in the hutongs by Gulou, the Orchid represents everything that I love about Beijing’s hutongs. A peaceful, zen-inducing traditional Chinese courtyard surrounded by green trees and a second floor dining room with a rooftop terrace that’s one of the most gorgeous that this city has to offer.

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To Boldly Go: Beyond Yakitori

Before I begin this review, note that everything that was seen and eaten was a preview version of the restaurant and may not be entirely representative of the final product, but based on the strength of our first tasting, I strongly urge all foodies to make Beyond Yakitori a priority visit once it soft-opens on July 2nd (they plan to officially open mid-July).

Located in the Topwin Centre (same building as the Mercedes Me project), Beyond Yakitori is on the 3rd floor alongside a bunch of other restaurants who also seem to be just opened or in the process of opening very soon. It specialises, as you might have guessed, in Yakitori; aka Japanese chuanr.

LDS Snapshots of Beyond Yakitori:

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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.

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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.

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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”.

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