Summer Seasonal Menus Sizzle as Peak Heat Arrives

As summer reaches its peak, the vibrant culinary scene in Beijing is heating up with a flurry of innovative seasonal menus at various restaurants. Establishments such as Q MEX Bar & Grill are enticing food enthusiasts with a delightful array of fresh flavors that celebrate the best of the season.

Q MEX Bar & Grill, a popular Mexican restaurant, has expanded its footprint with the opening of its fifth outlet in Haidian district at Huaxi LIVE·Wukesong. The new menu, crafted by executive chef Marcus Medina, introduces exciting dishes such as the Cheese Fondue Burger that boasts two Australian Angus beef patties melded with jalapeno cheese sauce, alongside a Chipotle Chicken Pasta featuring grilled chicken enveloped in a creamy sauce accented with chipotle, resulting in a perfectly charred and flavorful experience.

In celebration of its second anniversary, Chef 1996 Restaurant is offering a limited-time menu that showcases culinary creativity. One of the standout dishes is the Steamed Beef with Erjingtiao Chili, which features tender Xuelong beef briefly steamed over a bed of fresh lettuce, cilantro, and celery. According to founder Liang Di, the addition of lettuce seed oil in this summer adaptation introduces a distinctive, layered flavor profile. Another highlight is the Crispy Tea-Smoked Duck, which utilizes Sichuan duck, infused with camphor wood and jasmine tea before being expertly roasted.

Cang Yue, located within the Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing, is presenting a menu that focuses on coastal flavors from Dalian, courtesy of chef de cuisine Li Wei from Grand Hyatt Dalian in Liaoning Province. Highlights from this menu include refreshing cold dishes like Raw Marinated Sea Cucumber and Sea Urchin with Mushroom, culminating in a grand 'Seafood Family Pot' that features an assortment of seafood in a single serving—an embodiment of reunion and bountiful flavors, delivering a rich umami experience.

These exciting menu changes across notable Beijing restaurants reflect a dynamic evolution in the city's dining landscape. As chefs and restaurateurs embrace seasonal ingredients and collaborate regionally, food lovers can expect a continuous enhancement of culinary experiences throughout this summer.