Smog or Shine: Dance Farewell to DJ Saul D at Migas

Come Dance Farewell to One of Beijing’s Best DJs

There’s something about 2013 that continues to send so many of my long-time Beijing friends packing their bags for home.

Whether it’s the smog or massive influx of media attention Beijing’s smog recently received (cause there’s really always been smog, just less attention before this year), I really have been to more leaving parties and farewell get-togethers this year compared to years past.

Sadly, one of my best Beijing friends (who also happens to be the very talented, very popular DJ Saul D) is ready to head back to Miami to continue his life far, far away from here.

“Well, as my time in Beijing comes to and end soon, I will be having a goodbye party at Migas this Sunday! Please come and say bye!!! Cause I will miss you guys!!!” – DJ Saul

Continue Reading » Smog or Shine: Dance Farewell to DJ Saul D at Migas

Moonlighting Returns to the Migas’ Moon Deck

Moonlighting DJs Patrick Yu & Usami Will Make You Moonwalk

As the weather warms up to possibly +25 degrees (effing finally!!!), one of Beijing’s best rooftop parties, Moonlighting returns to the Moon Deck (if the weather keeps its promise to get warm) of Migas this Saturday, April 13 from 10PM-late. Appropriately, astronaut DJs will be decked out in their moonsuits and they would appreciate if music mavens come ready to moonwalk. (half joking)  But seriously, bring your moonsuit!

Originally founded by two of Beijing’s very best DJs – Andrew Stevenson (aka DJ Usami) and Patrick Yu (aka ABC DJ Yu) over a year ago, Moonlighting sees these two DJs play back-to-back the entire night playing off the crowd and mixing the “chillest of downtempo to crazy, booty-shaking house, and everything in between”.

“Moonlighting is all about the music we love and want to play, and we’ll be keeping with our ethos of bringing you nothing but the best sounds and beats, creating the perfect, fulfilled soundtrack to your night.”

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Alameda: Beijing’s Longtime Set-Lunch Favorite

Longtime Lunch Favorite, Alameda is Still Going Strong

I’ve been a fan of Brazilian restaurant Alameda since I first came to Beijing in 2006.  Back then, Alameda was owned and managed by Gaby Alves (who has now moved on to open SALT, recently closed TERRA and recently opened ZAP Urban Eatery) and it was one of the few quality Western options in the city.  It was also a time when their award-winning lunch deal was priced at only RMB 68 for a three-course set lunch menu. This price actually stuck for so long that it is still ingrained into my mind, so deeply to the point that I automatically still think of Alameda whenever someone requests for lunch options in the Sanlitun neighborhood.

Over the years, Alameda has undergone new management, new renovations and now their lunch is RMB 88 for two-courses or RMB 108 for three-courses. Though the prices have naturally increased across the years, it still remains in its original location and is still one of Beijing’s most revered lunch deals in town.

It had been a long while since my last lunch visit and I was due for a return to see if Alameda has still got it.

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Migas by Day: A Sassy Spanish Business Set Lunch

Migas by Day Paints a Pretty Picture

One of Beijing’s most popular nightlife destinations, Migas is much more than a pumping dance floor with funky DJs and a favorite rooftop terrace (it’s almost warm enough to open it up!).  Migas is also a slamming Spanish restaurant not to be overlooked and equally comparable to its neighboring competition – Agua, Niajo, Mosto, and Carmen Spanish Tapas Restaurant. I’m not quite sure it makes much sense, but it seems all of Spain’s chefs in Beijing have happily settled side-by-side in Nali Patio!

In any case, Migas’ brightly colored contemporary interior design matched with its reasonable price point (priced between the fancier and pricier Agua/Mosto options and the cheapest of the lot, Carmen), it is most comparable to Niajo in that it is an authentic, accessible Spanish option in the conveniently located Nali Patio Courtyard (the white complex nestled between Sanlitun Village and 3.3 Shopping Mall).

LDS Snapshots of Migas Restuarant:

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March 4-10: DiningCity’s 3rd Restaurant Week Edition

March 4-10th: A Week of Fine Dining at Affordable Prices

DiningCity‘s third Restaurant Week edition, they are back with a hot list of 36 delectable restaurants to choose from, each restaurant preparing exclusive set menus priced at two tiers – RMB 78 or RMB 118 for lunch and RMB 168 or 248 for dinner.

“Restaurants are preparing a special tasting menu for this week only. During Restaurant Week you can try the best 3-course set menus in town, starting at RMB 78 for lunch and RMB 168 for dinner.” – DiningCity.com

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Mountains of Fun: Genting Secret Garden Park Opening

Mountains of Fun at Secret Garden Ski Park

The party animals at Bang Entertainment, P1.cn and Migas are teaming up to throw a Secret Garden Park opening event this coming weekend (January 25-27, 2013) at Genting Grand Hotel Secret Garden Resort.

“This is the first progression park built in China for all levels of riders. We have a full packed day and night line up with China’s top rider and the best talent performing in the Genting Grand sports bar. For this weekend only we have locked in a SUPER DEAL with the hotel to get you motivated to join the snow weekend party.” – Chozie Ma, Founder of Bang Entertainment Producers

What better excuse to escape Beijing’s smog then indulge in a winter weekend get-away of playing in powder white snow and free-flow drink parties?

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Celebrate Christmas Cheer: Top Holiday Feasts 2012

LumDimFamily Christmas Table

Nothing quite compares to a proper holiday meal. It is the meal we look forward to all year long. Of course it’s always an added benefit to be surrounded by family and loved ones, but even just the food alone is something worth noting.

Lucky for you, Beijing is full of both impressive and affordable options for you and your loved ones to choose from.

Take advantage as this is the one time of year when you’re obliged to feast to your heart’s content, eating your way through full turkeys, hunky slices of honey-glazed ham, and as much Christmas pudding, boxes of chocolate and Santa’s cookies as you can stomach. And the best part is that you don’t have to worry about packing on a couple extra pounds because it will be hidden under all those additional layers of clothing!

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Apocalypse FAIL: Moonlighting Dance Party at Migas

Moonlighting on the Eve of the Apocalypse at Migas

Founded by two of Beijing’s very best DJs – Andrew Stevenson (aka DJ Usami) and Patrick Yu (aka ABC DJ Yu), they are hosting their next Moonlighting on the eve of the apocalypse – Friday, December 21 from 10PM to late at Migas, the top 6th floor of Nali Patio.

If the world hasn’t yet been demolished, I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with a Moonlighting dance party highlighting the best sounds of 2012.

“Moonlighting is back with our last event of the year before we take a winter hibernation. This year has definitely been a doozy, and we hope we get one more chance to kick it with all of you before the end of the year (and apparently, before the end of the world).” – DJ Usami, Co-founder of Moonlighting at Migas

Continue Reading » Apocalypse FAIL: Moonlighting Dance Party at Migas