Get over to Capital M this Sunday, June 11 (4-5:30pm), and explore the lesser known parts of the Great Wall that span the Great Eastern Steppe with William Lindesay, the world’s leading researcher on what he calls the “The Great Wall Outside China,” and his two documentarian sons James and Thomas.

This film, being screened at one of Beijing’s more picturesque fine dining establishments, explores another historically rich side of the Great Wall and examines its possible connections to the great conqueror Genghis Khan. Due to its desolate location, in the lands that border Mongolia, it is an often neglected piece of the past which until now hadn’t been given a proper examination concerning its important role in history.

To do this Lindesay set out on a 60-day journey with his wife and two sons. He gave his two teenage sons, James and Thomas, all of the tools necessary to document parts of the 1,500 km fortified structure, in hopes of discovering some of the mysteries that lie deep within – and above too, through plenty of drone footage. Following the trip, James and Thomas edited the footage down, and it has since been featured on BBC News and the Discovery Channel.

There isn’t another family on our beijingkids radar that shares this intense passion for the history of the Great Wall and its geographical importance. In 1987, William Lindesay first documented and traversed its 2,470 km length on foot. He has since authored five books on the subject, curated two national exhibitions in Beijing – one at the Capital Museum and a second at the Imperial Academy – and still takes other adventure enthusiasts on walking tours of the wild and unrestored sections of the wall. Find out more about this here.

If you are interested in attending this screening and Q&A with the Lindesay family, RSVP by sending an email to communications.ras.bj@gmail.com and please write “Wall” in the subject header. Tickets are RMB 75 per person and includes a free drink so that it won’t only be your thirst for knowledge that is quenched by this uniquely enlightening event.

photos: static.wixstatic.com, https://www.wildwall.com/

Capital M numerous accolades as one of the high end dining options in Beijing makes the venue well known by the business lunches, or date night dinner. However, the lesser known fact is that the Capital M kids club does have interesting workshops once a month. The price of the workshops is even mind boggling as kids pay RMB 20 for entry and if you were there for brunch then it’s free as for the adults it’s RMB 75. 

On May 31 from 11am-noon, at the restaurant’s conference room there’s going to be an improvised morning session where kids will learn from Theatre Mistress Emma Johnston. The workshop kicks off with games, then move on to role play in a quickened tempo to build spontaneous thinking, imagination, manipulation of voice, confidence, and impromptu acting.

To RSVP call (86 10) 6702 2727 or reservations@capital-m-beijing.com

For this weekend, the Shuangjing Block Party, ISB Spring Fair, and more  make May in Beijing worth it.

Photo: Donnie Ray (Flickr)

One of things you and your family need to tick off the must-do-checklist before leaving China is watching a shadow puppet performance in one of the hutong theaters during summer. This ancient form of storytelling is still alive and thriving, so how about having your kids learn to make their own? This Sunday March 29 from 11am-noon, Capital M hosts the Courtyard Institute to help teach the little ones how to tell stories using shadow puppets. And the truly amazing part is that the workshop is free.

The workshop kicks off with a performance then kids will be put in small group, which they will come up with a story then use the shadow puppet to tell their story. There will be brunch available for after the class that will last for one hour. 

Reservations are expected so as to appropriately plan for the number, so call 6702 2727 or reservations@capital-m-beijing.com to book a place.

Have you ever wanted to eat clouds? Let me tell you something: surprisingly, they are crunchy. You thought they were soft, gossamer whispers of a thing, didn’t you? This is not wholly untrue, but let’s be real about this – ice crystals have edges.

A pavlova – cloud-like as it is – has edges, too, though that angular chunk of meringue may be hidden under- neath a landslide of heavy whipped cream, a slick of passion fruit sauce, and season allowing, a stratum of passion fruit ice cream. Yet as rough-hewn as it may be, this sweet’s namesake is a ballerina, and for good reason. Like the crystals of a cloud, the crunch of meringue melts delicately once in the warm cavern of a mouth.

The pavlova (RMB 98) at Capital M could be served in any portion size, and it would vanish. But best to eat it in moderation … and with the support of seven other desserts. In Capital M’s dessert platter (RMB 128 per person, minimum two people), the signature pavlova rightfully claims top tier. But to ground this airy creation is a motley crew of other treats, stunning both alone and as an ensemble. With an octet, the probability is there: something will not be good.

But somehow, they’ve outdone themselves, and everything ranges from the very good to superb – a chocolate soufflé, eggy with the lightest of cocoa touches; an exceptional raspberry ice cream and coconut sorbet. Simple afternoon snacks of an earlier era are rediscovered, now matured, in Sandra’s Baked Bananas topped with cream cheese, walnut-crunch ice cream and a drizzle of dark rum and in an understated date and orange tart. A mille feuille with butterscotch and praline is classic and captivating.

I first learned what a fool was on the rocky coast of Maine at age 20. It was a raspberry one and excessive. Here in the city and seven years later, it is salted caramel – the golden brown sugar folded in silky whipped cream – and perfect.

Capital M
Mon-Fri 11am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-5pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street, Chongwen District (6702 2727)
崇文区前门步行街2号3层
200m south of Qianmen station (Line 2)

This article appeared in the Beijinger April 2014 issue and on thebeijinger.com on March 6, 2014.

Something magical happened when Reina (my six year-old) and I entered the Capital M lobby to attend a session of the Capital M Literary Festival. She marveled at the uncluttered décor before we entered the elevator and then, upon entering the carriage, she proclaimed, “Baba, it’s so beautiful.” There is no question that the management of Capital M pride themselves on their attention detail. Whether it is the tapestry that drapes the elevators, the hand-painted china cups, or the sensational deserts, nothing is left to chance and everything is planed to perfection. So it should come as no surprise that Michelle (the M in Capital M) and her team bring the same level of excellence to the M Literary Festival too.

I had the great fortune to attend several of the events in the first two weeks: a discussion with Kaz Cooke about her book Girl’s Stuff: Your Full-On Guide to the Teen Years, producer William Fay on Turning Comics into Film, the Women’s Day Literary Lunch, and Mark Moffett’s exceptional presentation on his Adventures Among the Ants. Honestly, if I lived closer to Capital M, I would attend every session my beloved wife would let me sneak out too. I’m still not sure how I managed to attend as much as I did.

Kaz Cooke’s discussion of Girl’s Stuff made it clear that we need a copy of her book for when Reina reaches 12 so that she has unfettered access to answers to questions about her body and her development that she may not even know she has. And it is served up with a great deal of humor. Kaz herself pointed out that she is not a parenting expert, but a reporter who wanted to understand what her own daughter was going through, so she surveyed over 4000 teens and interviewed a slew of experts in relevant fields to create a complete guide. And I do mean complete, as the book is massive.

William Fay’s talk on the process of transforming comics into film was truly eye opening for anyone who loves going to the movies or reading graphic novels and comics. He has produced such blockbusters as Independence Day, Superman Returns, and 300 to name just a fraction of the films he has worked on. During the 90 minute session where he fielded questions from the audience, he gave insight into the various roles a producer takes on from managing the day to day of a production to finding the financing of a film, and discussed how the industry is changing, and the future of 3D.

In honor of Women’s Day, the Festival held a Literary Lunch with authors Kaz Cooke, Linda Jaivin, and Deb Fallows who each discussed their perspective on the changing role of women in society and what women want/need. As one of the few men in the audience, I was humbled not only by the achievements of the authors, but by the caliber of the women in the audience and their own achievements abroad and in Beijing.

Finally, Reina and I attended Mark Moffett’s presentation on his research into the world of ants. He has written stories for National Geographic along with his own book, and his photos of his tiny subjects are unparalleled when it comes to documenting the life of these fascinating and often underappreciated insects. Attended by as many children as adults, at the end of his session, the kids eagerly asked questions (as did the adults) until there really was no time left. Mark’s unbridled enthusiasm for his subject was infectious, though no one seemed to want to join him on his next jungle adventure to carry out more research. Even the kids seemed content to simply read about his work and look at he pictures.

Although the Festival is already in it’s final days, there is still time to catch some great talks and learn about the work of some amazing authors before the festival closes on Sunday, 17 March. To find out more, see the schedule, or get directions to Capital M visit www.m-restaurantgroup.com. To order tickets visit www.mypiao.com or call 400-620-6006. Tickets can also be purchased at the restaurant in advance from 11am-7pm. All sessions are RMB75 and include a drink. Children/student tickets are RMB20.

It is difficult to know an Australian mother and not know of Kaz Cooke’s literary works. I’ve heard her seminal guide to pregnancy, Up The Duff: The Real Guide to Pregnancy, discussed more than any other title by an Australian author. The good news is Kaz didn’t stop there. She went on to write Kidwrangling: Looking After Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers, the multi-award winning Girl Stuff: Your Full-on Guide to the Teen Years, and her latest offering is Women’s Stuff, in which she sifted through over 7,000 exhaustive surveys from women of all ages, shapes, and sizes to share with readers the truth about being a woman. Many authors have written guides to pregnancy, raising children, and the hazards of aging, but precious few have actually taken the time to not only make their writing informative, but to also make it funny.

Fortunately for Beijing residents with kids of all ages, at 3pm on 2 March, Kaz Cooke will speak at the Capital M Literary Festival on her book Girl’s Stuff: Your Full-On Guide to the Teen Years. Billed as a confidential heart-to-heart on the dangers and joys of teen life with the hilarious, honest, heartwarming Kaz, the event is certain to put a smile on your face and undoubtedly provide some parenting food for thought.

Tickets for this and all Captial M Literary Festival events are on sale now online at www.mypiao.com (you can also call mypiao at 400-620-6006), or in person at Captial M from 11am-7pm daily. All sessions are RMB 75 and include a drink (children and students are RMB 20). For more details about the Literary Festival and other events, check out the Captial M website here.

For more information about Kaz Cooke, visit kazcooke.com.au. Copies of her books will be on sale in Beijing at BabyGro stores.

Photo by flickr user:skreativ