As winter starts to settle in Beijing, several eateries are welcoming the season with delicious new dishes. From a new burger to American Chicken Noodle Soup, comforting pasta options, and more, these offerings are perfect for lifting those winter spirits.
**Side Street**
To celebrate the season, Side Street has recently introduced five new winter dishes at their Jianguomen location. The new pasta dishes include Truffle & Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle and Spicy Chili-Cream Chicken Pasta, alongside an expanded curry selection featuring the Signature Butter Chicken with Basmati. British patrons will be pleased to find Taproom Fish and Chips now on the menu. A delightful winter option is the new Hearth Tomato Soup. For further details about Side Street Jianguomen's winter menu, click here.
- **Location**: Side Street Jianguomen branch, Bldg N28 2/101-102, 17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (behind Nola)
- **Hours**: 11am-midnight
- **Phone**: 135 2195 8643
**Great Leap**
Great Leap has brought an American winter favorite to their menu: American Chicken Noodle Soup (RMB 58). They've meticulously created the recipe for authenticity. Fresh chicken broth is prepared daily, with whole chickens simmered with fresh herbs for six hours, then fusilli, carrots, celery, and onions are added. This soup is exclusive to Great Leap No.12, and since it's made fresh every day, supplies are limited, so plan accordingly.
In addition to the soup, Great Leap is also hosting their annual Drunken Hot Pot Feast. They provide the pot and utensils, and guests bring the meat, vegetables, broth, and dipping sauces. A minimum of four diners is required per group, and reservations are mandatory. If each person spends around RMB 100 on beer, the RMB 50 cleaning fee is waived. This feast is available at all four Great Leap locations.
**Blue Frog**
Blue Frog has rolled out a variety of new winter offerings, with a strong emphasis on cheese. A highlight is the Smoky Beef Cheese Burger, which includes a grilled beef patty topped with smoky brisket, a parmesan cheese crisp, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and barbecue sauce. Other new dishes encompass Cheese-Stuffed Beef Roulade with Winter Vegetables, Smoky Beef Cheese Pasta with Braised Beef Short Rib, Crispy Mozzarella Sticks with Cheese Sauce, and a Mushroom Beef Brie Cheese Salad. These new dishes can be found at all Blue Frog locations. More details are available here.
- **Location**: Blue Frog Solana branch, A131, 1/F, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
- **Hours**: Sun-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight
- **Phone**: 010 5905 6796
*Check Dianping for information on other branches.
**Plan B**
Plan B's winter menu is in full effect, showcasing some delicious meaty mains. Their popular Angry Meatballs (RMB 75) are back, featuring beef and pork meatballs topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, finished with diced jalapeños. Another hearty option is the Meatballs and Mash (RMB 75), served with meatballs, a generous serving of mashed potatoes, gravy, and parmesan cheese. They also offer a special deal available only on Tuesdays for a Chicken Parm at RMB 30, consisting of breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection. For more details on winter offerings, read here.
- **Location**: Plan B, 2-012, 22 International Art Plaza, Pingguo Community, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District (east of Today Art Museum and behind 7/11)
- **Hours**: 11:30am-11:30pm
- **Contact**: 010 5826 4575
READ: Winter Warmers: More Cozy Drinks for the Season
Images: the Beijingers, courtesy of the venues
Some comforting meals to help lift your spirits during the winter.
