OFF THE BEATEN PLATE

VINE GRAPE

SNACKS AND THE CITY

Well, food news is not looking so grim this month after all. Even with the current state of uncertainty in the F&B world, restaurants and bars keep on trucking, feeding the city via delivery. The Bake Shop has recently debuted new brunch sets, like cured salmon and Montreal-style bagels, with fresh veggie toppings and cream cheese. Vietnamese joint Susu is also jumping on the takeaway train and bringing their fresh bahn mi and fried spring rolls to your dinner table at home.

Q Mex is staying on track at all locations: Get your favorite Mexican fusion fare like spicy beef chorizo quesadillas, chipotle chicken pizza, sweet roasted corn and tres leches cake delivered to your door.

Having debuted their own in-house delivery service, Hulu will safely wrap up any of their signature dishes, from nutritious salads and starters to hearty mains and decadent desserts, tie them up nicely with a bow and send an impressive package your way in style. The restaurant has also expanded its delivery service to Shunyi. Pebbles Courtyard is also making deliveries. The Wudaoying restaurant has even added a tasty new offering to their menu: tortas, aka Mexican sandwiches.

On a final note, with a couple locations under its belt, cocktail bar Hoper debuted yet another spot, just a stone’s throw away from import shop Gulou Gourmand (which has been fueling us with its speedy grocery delivery service daily). The concept is half coffeeshop, half lounge bar, making it an ideal hangout both day and night. Stay tuned for our full review.

NEWS BITE

Wildin’ Out

Last month, China announced that it will prohibit both the trade and consumption of wild animals, as reported by South China Morning Post. Effective immediately, the ban came in response to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic in China. The outbreak was originally linked to wild animals sold at a wet market in Wuhan, similar to SARS in 2003. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 70 percent of infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are spread from animals. China’s wildlife trade industry is currently valued at about RMB520 billion and employs over 14 million people. VO

OFF THE BEATEN PLATE

Lay’s are at it again. Keeping their flavors fresh and surprising (a welcome option during these times of isolation), the latest one we spot is lychee. On its own, lychee isn’t a terribly imaginative flavor, yet it seems that Lay’s has added a dash of champagne to amp it up a level. The bubbly tartness that almost overpowers the rest of the chip might trick those who are currently socially deprived into thinking they are at a party filled with laughter and healthy people, but it won’t do it for long. The new chips are an interesting and safe gastric adventure, but eating an entire bag by yourself is almost a bit too much. The uniqueness of the flavors peters off after a few chips and reminds you of all that is missing in the world right now: brunch. MG RMB13.6, 7-Eleven