The Smokeyard: Soft Opening + BJ FOoDiEs Dinner

The Smokeyard Sanlitun Branch Soft Opening Launch

The Smokeyard is a restaurant concept started by the friendly duo behind Fatface Dining catering and events, two Taiwanese-American brothers Eric and Hsu “Fatbuddha” Li. Not only have they made the big move from organizing many fun community dining events around town to opening their own restaurant, they are simultaneously opening two branches with one in Wudaokou and one on South Sanlitun Road, just next to Casa Pagoda furniture shop.

Last week, both restaurants opened with very soft-opening trials and I was lucky enough to snag a seat last Thursday evening at their Sanlitun branch because our party of four opted for a late dinner at 9PM. By the time we arrived, both floors were buzzing with happy diners and fellow foodies congratulating both Chef Eric and Hsu on their busy opening.

Spread across two floors, the venue design is a playful mix of brick accents, wooden tables and floor panels, bold red couches and chairs, a bright blue ceiling and nice graphic artwork on both the opposite facing tall 2-story walls. Like the restaurants owners, the vibe is welcoming and comfortable. It’s very much got an American vibe with the red, white and blue color theme and with a name like The Smokeyard, you wouldn’t expect anything different.

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LDS Top Picks: Christmas 2014 Festivities in Beijing

Celebrate Christmas with Festivities All Over Town!

With Christmas just a few days away, here’s a round-up of Beijing’s top X-mas dinners, parties and events to consider in your holiday plans this week! *Note that festivities begin Christmas Eve and continue through the 25th. (NYE events to follow next!)

If you’re feeling a bit lost in a city far from home without any set Christmas plans, fear not as there are plenty of options available to you.  Whether you’re looking for a casual party or something worth splurging on, there’s still plenty of quality options for special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunch & dinner menus at Beijing’s most lively dining destinations.

Here’s to wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with loved ones!

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Thanksgiving 2014: Top Picks for Turkey-Coma Feasts

Family Thanksgiving Feast: Where to Find Turkey-Coma-Inducing Feeds!

Back at home, Thanksgiving is generally enjoyed at home amongst close family, but for many of us, Beijing is our home away from home. And with Christmas just around the corner, we often opt to sacrifice one for the other, leaving us stuck in Beijing for Thanksgiving so that we can at least go home for Christmas. Never quite the same as grandma makes it, but on the bright side, at least you’re not short of options in Beijing! If you think about it, Thanksgiving in Beijing has the potential to be so much more fun than it would normally be at home. Leave the long hours slaving away in a kitchen cooking and dirty dishes to the restaurants and rally up all your friends to just enjoy the feast!

With terrific Thanksgiving spreads available around town throughout the week, there’s no reason why you have to pressure yourself into picking just one Thanksgiving meal.  We’ve waited all year long for this incredible turkey feast to come around again so make the most of it this year and sign yourself up for as many as you can stuff yourself with.

Whether you’re American is irrelevant because no matter where you’re from, everyone can appreciate a holiday focused on phenomenal food and good company, and celebrate Thanksgiving with a home-style meal even if they are so far away from home.

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Fatface Dining: Urban Buzz Honey Feast in 798

Here’s something worth spreading a buzz about: a farm to table feast by Fatface Dining using urban honey by Shangrila Farms and both craft honey iced tea by Cha He and the launch of JingA’s newest craft beer: Urban Buzz Honey Ale.

Feast on Shangrila Farms’ Urban Honey

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Beijing Supper Club: Pop-Up Dinner with a Top Chef

Snapshot from the Last Beijing Supper Club

One of the lucky few who signed up early enough to snag a seat at the very first Beijing Supper Club dinner, I’m delighted to announce that their second one is set for Wednesday, August 13.

The last Supper Club dinner was a beautiful candle lit dinner put together with in conjunction with the Fatface dining & catering team inside a beautiful hutong courtyard in Dashilar.

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String 139 Classical Concert: Guitarist Anthony Garcia

This Saturday, May 25th, classical and jazz guitarist Anthony Garcia (Australia) will be performing as a part of a classical concert series from 3-5pm at Jintai Art Museum close to Muse Restaurant on Chaoyang Park West Gate road.

Prior to his performance, Anthony will engage in an up-close discussion with all guests before he begins his music performance. Organized by Fatface Dining, they will also be providing a selection of tasty appetizers and beverages to accompany the performance.

“I have had the great pleasure of hearing Anthony a number of times in the last five years. On each occasion I have witnessed the finest examples of technique, composition and musicality. In my mind Anthony is one of the finest musicians living in Australia.” - Slava Grigoryan, Artistic Director Adelaide International Guitar Festival

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