To Try List: Steak in Dongdaqiao, Pebbles' New Look + More

Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more foodie happenings in Beijing.

Pebbles is set to impress with a newly remodeled bar area and partnership with two Beijing F&B brands, there's a fancy new steakhouse near Dongdaqiao, and La Social has arrived in Sanlitun once again, among other things...

Wudaoying's Mexican restaurant Pebbles Courtyard has gotten an upgrade in the form of a newly renovated bar area by the front entrance. Done up with concrete and darker wood, the bar itself is a beaut, while seating has been changed from tall tables to one long seat circling the wall with smaller tables about.

The upgrade is part of a new partnership between the restaurant and two longstanding Beijing businesses: Mona Bar and Galakee Coffee. While Mona has already moved into the new digs – leaving their old location near Meishuguan to do so – Pebbles owner Ray Heng tells the Beijinger Galakee will be up and running after the October holiday, bringing top notch coffee roasted on site to patrons.

Pebbles is also gearing up to host Beijing’s first ever Agave Spirits Festival. Also called the Long Festival as the word 龙 lóng, or dragon, is also the first character in the Chinese name for tequila (龙舌兰酒 lóngshélánjiǔ), the festival dedicated to the agave spirits of Mexico is set to take place at the Grand Summit from Oct 18-20.

Expect a deep dive into spirits like mezcal, raicillia, and of course tequila straight from the brands and spirits importers themselves. There will also be food available, with tacos and more cooked up by Pebbles, Moji, and Las Musas.

The Agave Spirits Festival is happening from 5pm-9.30pm on Friday, Oct 18 and noon-9.30pm Saturday, Oct 19 and Sunday, Oct 20 at the Grand Summit. Entry is free to the public. You can read more about the fest and participating vendors here.

Pebbles Courtyard

The Dongdaqiao neighborhood has gotten a fancy new eatery in the form of The Butcher & The Bottle. The restaurant is dialed up to the nines design wise, with paneled walls and ceilings, red leather couches and tables throughout. It’s not just the design we’re looking at here, but the food, which is equally as impressive.

Expect a lot of Western classics like pizza, pasta, sumptuous sounding mains – osso buco anyone? – and of course, lots of beef and grilled options. There are some tempting dishes on the grilled section of the menu here, especially an Angus beef cheeseburger we’ll need to try soon.

The Butcher & The Bottle

Operating out of the same space as El Nido’s Xingfucun branch, the cocktail bar’s newest venue offers a dark, yet ambient, alternative to the brightness of the beer bar. This being Fang Bar, the cocktails are going to be on point. All in all it looks like a nice spot for a drink if you’re in the Xingfucun area.

Fang Bar is also planning on another expansion, this time outside Beijing. They’ll be headed down south to Guangzhou soon, so we’ll report back once more details on the new opening come to light.

Fang Bar (Xingfucun branch)

In other nightlife news, La Social is finally back in action with a permanent location. Now situated in Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4, it's not too far from its former Nali Patio neighbor Martini. 

Since reopening, they've already started doing regular themed nights and other fun events. These include their weekly Ladies Nights, aka La Fina, and Beijing Capital Tropical nights on Saturdays.

La Social SLT