Kuan’s Bar & Dining: Unpretentious & Unpolished Comfort Food

**THIS VENUE IS NOW CLOSED!**

Opened opposite The Big Smoke, and one restaurant down from BBC, Kuan’s (a combination of two names – Chef Kenny and co-owner Xuan Zhang) is a promising development for a building that has changed hands multiple times recently.

I will say that this review started in the worst possible way. The front door hasn’t been constructed with opening and closing as the main priority. I tend to view this as a sign from the food gods that this place is not paying attention to the details. If you want greater insight into this, look up the story about Van Halen and brown M&Ms.

However, in this instance, the door was not an ominous portent. What awaited us was simply good comfort food!

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The Experiment: Beer-Infused Menu + 京A Flights

The Experiment is set for Tuesday, August 5th!

One of my all-time favorite regular foodie and boozie events is Big Smoke Bistro and Jing-A Capital Brewing Co.‘s Experiment, an event that spontaneously happens every couple of months. A team effort between two dynamic duos, it’s a night to celebrate great beer, fantastic food and surprise experimental brews and bites.

While Big Smoke’s Gordon Kutil churns out an impressive 9 dish menu with pretty much the majority all being new dish creations with potential to be added to their regular menu, the 京A team pairs three of their popular, seasonal brews with Gordon’s menu and unveils the final brew of the night, their newest craft beer child.

“Each experiment night, Jing-A’s secret keg will be brewed up with various experimental ingredients to give us a chance to explore the unknown with beer brewing, The Experiment is for beer lovers and enthusiasts alike.”

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The Experiment: Surprises by Big Smoke + 京A Beer

Big Smoke Bistro + 京A Beer Gear Up to Host their 3rd Experiment Night

The Big Smoke Bistro and Jing-A Capital Brewing Co. are gearing up for their 3rd Experiment night of the year – a night dedicated to great beer, fantastic food and surprise experimental brews and bites.

While Big Smoke’s Gordon Kutil churns out an impressive 10 dish menu with pretty much the majority all being new dish creations with potential to be added to their regular menu, the 京A team pairs three of their popular, seasonal brews with Gordon’s menu and unveils the final brew of the night, their newest craft beer child.

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Bottle Boot & Cigar (BBC): Spirits & Homemade Bitters

“Provisions for the Distinguished Gentleman”

After another fantastic pho lunch at neighboring Pho Laboratory, we saw something out of the corner of our eye on our way back to the office. That shiny glimmer that caught our eye was the brand-new bar specializing in premium spirits and homemade bitters.

A little too early in the day to get our drink on, we just stopped in for a quick look and chat with “boulevardier” (his name card title) Douglas Williams of Bareknuckle Boxing Club Bar & Restaurant Consulting, who previously consulted for Apothecary, Peekaboo and Parlor bars.

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Big Smoke: Danger Dog Mondays + The Experiment #2

Monday Night Flights: A Tasting of 6 京A Beers + A Double Dose of Danger Dogs!

This is a big week for Big Smoke as they have two of their most popular deals happening back-to-back with their weekly Monday night deal + monthly Experiment project happening the following night, Tuesday, April 1st.

Every Monday @Big Smoke:

Monday Night Flights (6 京A Beers for RMB 80) combined with their Danger Dog Deal, where you buy one and get the second dog for 1 RMB. The flight of 6 Jing-A beers is basically every beer they have on tap that given day and though this selection changes regularly, this week happens to be the Worker’s Pale Ale, Lucky 8 Lager, Full Moon Farmhouse Ale, Toasted Chestnut Brown, Black Velvet Vanilla Stout, and Koji Red Ale, which is standing in for the sold-out Flying Fist IPA.

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BJ FOoDiEs: “Gift of Bread” Carnivore Charity Feast

 BJ FOoDiES Take On Guinea Pig Role for FEAST’s Carnivore Club

Thanksgiving 2013: LDS Picks for Top Turkey Feasts

Beijing’s Best Thanksgiving Feasts 2013

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.

Last year, my gang of foodies managed to eat through two turkey feasts in one day. Some might call us guilty of gluttony, but I just say we were fully embracing the spirit of Thanksgiving. A very special time of year for foodies like us, it’s a time where diets are thrown out the window and you indulge guilt-free in anything and everything that is Thanksgiving goodness.

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BJ FOoDiEs: ‘Sharing Hearts’ Punjabi Charity Dinner

Beijing’s dry, bitter winter weather can leave me feeling withered and unbearable cold until I hear the words ‘hot pot’ or ‘spicy curries’ and it’s as if someone injected me with a boost of motivation.

There’s nothing better than a warm, hearty meal of spicy curries alongside BBQ skewers and fresh naan bread on a cold, dark winter’s eve.

“Indian spices and killer awesome curries is exactly what we need to battle dropping temperatures and terrible pollution.” – BJ FOoDiEs Team

Word.

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