Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Harrow Beijing Careers Fair, Mar 12
The inaugural Harrow Beijing Careers Fair will present business activities, especially career prospects, to secondary school pupils in the Beijing area. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of possible career paths as they plan their next educational steps. All ages. Free. 4-7pm. Harrow Beijing. (6444 8900)

British Club Beijing Morning Cuppa, Mar 12
The British Club Beijing welcomes members and guests for their morning cuppa, a brunch with bubbles at the Westin Chaoyang. Catch up with old friends, take part in a raffle in support of the Migrant Children’s Foundation and hear talks from The Adoption Shop and Globy Pet & Animal Relocation. Adults. RMB 150 (sign up here). 10am-noon. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang.

A Crash Course to the Forbidden City, Mar 13
Beijing Postcards makes a humble attempt to unlock the meaning behind the chambers of the Forbidden City in a condensed and entertaining way through this crash course. Get a comprehensive history of the Palace from its foundations over 600 years ago until the last boy-emperor finally left in 1924. Note: Participants should bring their passport on the day to enter the Forbidden City. All ages. RMB 350 (adults), RMB 160 (children aged 16 and below). Price includes an entrance ticket and refreshments (sign up here). 11am-3pm. Meet-up point at Tian’anmen West subway station Exit B.

Traditions and Transitions: An Introduction Beijing’s Hutongs, Mar 14
The hutongs are the living, breathing fabric of Beijing, representing the city’s future as old spaces are repurposed into new commercial and residential developments. The past year has seen sweeping changes to Beijing’s urban landscape. How have the pressures of urban development affected the communities who live in Beijing’s historic center? This walk is an introduction to Beijing’s hutong neighborhoods, and is perfect for newcomers and visitors to Beijing looking to understand more about this important feature of the city’s landscape. All ages. RMB 260 (non-members), RMB 220 (The Hutong members). Price includes admission tickets, guide fees, and tips (sign up here). 10am-noon. The Hutong.

Beijing International Chamber Orchestra’s A Night at Oscars, Mar 16-17
Relive music and the best moments from the movies on the screen with the Beijing International Chamber Orchestra (BICO) as they perform enchanting tunes from some of the most popular movies of all time. BICO will be stirring up memories with their repertoire, including music from Legends of the Fall, Batman, The Hobbit, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and more. Since this is an Oscars Night, you can dress to impress! All ages. RMB 200 (adults), RMB 100 (children). 4-6pm. Canadian International School of Beijing.

2019 Avenir Business Competition at BCIS, Mar 16-17
It’s your last chance to register for the Avenir Business Competition at Beijing City International School (BCIS). An experienced entrepreneur will guide students on-site, and there will also be talks from local entrepreneurs to inspire students with their stories. The event will be conducted in English and is associated with the Queensland University of Technology. Ages 14-18. Free (sign up here). Starts at noon. BCIS. 

Dulwich College Beijing Early Years Open Day, Mar 18
Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) invites eligible families to tour the school facilities, meet students and staff, and find out about the school’s approach that prepares students for the future. All ages. Free admission. Scan QR code on the poster to register. 9-11am. Dulwich College Beijing. (RSVP: admissions@dulwich-beijing.cn)

Creative Monday Night: Life Drawing at Atelier, Mar 18
Looking for a creative way to spend your Monday evening? Atelier Sanlitun invites everyone to their Life Drawing activity that helps participants express their drawing skills and try new techniques. Atelier provides supplies (paper, pencils, charcoal, paint, easels…), but you can also come with your favorite brushes and drawing book. This is not a full-fledged drawing class, although there will be a teacher to lead the activity. Adults. RMB 180 (sign up here) 7.30-9.30pm. Atelier Sanlitun.

Spring University Fair at The British School of Beijing Shunyi, Mar 19
Students and parents are invited to one of the largest university fairs in Beijing, hosted by The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi and sponsored by five other major international schools in Beijing. Come and talk to over 90 university admissions representatives in person. Breakout session topics include college interviews, experiential education, scholarships, admissions process, and more. All ages. Free admission. 4.30-7pm. The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. (8047 3588, brian.chesher@britishschool.org.cn)

Recurring Events

Beijing Farmers Market at Nali Patio, every Tue until Mar 26
Nali Patio hosts the Beijing Farmers Market every Tuesday this month. Shop around for second-hand clothes, DIY toys, homemade food, and farm fresh goodies. All ages. Free to attend. Visit this page for more info. 11am-2pm. Nali Patio courtyard.

Hello Future Kindergarten Songs and Stories, every Tue until Mar 26
Hello Future Kindergarten hosts a weekly toddler playgroup every Tuesday morning from 9.15am to 10.15am. There’s reading, singing, dancing, and crafts for the kids, and coffee for mom and dad. Hello Future recommends that parents and not ayis attend this playgroup. Ages 6 months-3 years and parents. RMB 70. Scan the QR code on the poster to register. 9.15-10.15am. Hello Future Kindergarten, Cathay View West Gate, Maquanying.

Photos: analogicus via Pixabay; courtesy of event organizers

Mosto has long been a heavyweight among the Nali Patio dining spots offering casual luxury. Their menu is an experimental take on South American Cuisine, also taking inspiration from Asia, North America, and Europe. It’s a fusion restaurant that shapes up to be a perfect example of why mixing it up always pays.

The meal began with one of three “small plates”. The Smokey Salmon Tataki (RMB 88), seared smoked salmon dressed in orange-ginger teriyaki and black sesame seeds, was a refreshing and tasty start to the evening, and may require that you unashamedly wipe the plate clean with a freshly baked white mini-loaf from the breadbasket.

Smokey Salmon Tataki

I’ve always known Prawn Pil Pil as a dish prepared using olive oil and garlic or sweetened using tomato passata, so I was intrigued by the Chilean Pil Pil (RMB 88), with prawn and squid dressed in a white wine sauce with cilantro. The seafood was perfectly cooked; however, the soft fondant potato that sat beneath the generous portion of squid need not be there.

Chilean Pil Pil

For me, the Japanese Scallops (RMB 125) stole the starter show. Sweet and precisely cooked scallops sitting on a bed of sautéed shiitake mushrooms were divine, and were perfectly matched with a herby parsley sauce and sweet onion compote. This had to be one of my favorites of the evening and will likely go very quickly, so if you need to, order extra scallops for RMB 30 apiece. Ready, steady, prepare to be walloped by the scallops.

Japanese Scallops

The Boston Lobster (RMB 450) has potential to be a show-stopping plate but falls just shy of taking the crown due to the overpowering richness and overzealous quantity of butter which dresses the already rich risotto. Omitting the soaked plums and reworking the presentation would do wonders for a dish that has the makings of an opulent and oh-so-indulgent romance starter.

Boston Lobster

You never need an excuse to order a cheese board, so try Mosto’s Charcuterie Board. It’s cheese and premium cold cuts. Need I say any more?

What should be your go-to dish is the well-seasoned and seared beef tenderloin (RMB 228), which can be served with a side and sauce of your choice. Melt-in-the-mouth imported beef did not disappoint, along with a generous portion of red wine sauce and potato gratin. Other sides and sauces available to pair with the beef (cooked to your liking) include truffle mashed potato, roasted pumpkin, blue cheese sauce, and avocado salsa. This steak is not just a basic steak; it’s a Mosto steak. Say “cheers” to the night and the steak with a glass of Malbec (RMB 75).

Beef Tenderloin

To complete the evening, the manager recommended the chocolate soufflé. Dark chocolate with a lava center was indulgently washed down with a glass of Prosecco (RMB 65). A passion fruit coulis cuts through the richness and adds a pleasant palate-cleansing finish to the dish. If this isn’t the luxurious ending that all couples should experience on a date night, I don’t know what is!

Against a backdrop of exposed brick and candlelight, Mosto has instant flair and notes of bohemian charm, but unfortunately can be let down at times by lackluster service. This can be forgiven when knocking back one of their finer offerings, such as their Whiskey Sour (RMB 65); sweeter than usually prepared and finished with a frothy and fragrant egg white foam, this yumminess in a glass will prepare you to enjoy South American contemporary fare that you may just decide to make a regular trip for.

Whiskey Sour (left) Espresso Martini (right)

Top Tip: Order the Espresso Martini (RMB 80) with or for dessert. Well-balanced coffee, vodka, Kahlua, and Baileys will keep tiredness at bay, sweeten the tooth and add some warmth to your night (not that you’ll need it.)

Mosto
D308, 3/F Nali Huayuan, No.81 Sanlitun Bar Street, Chaoyang District (010 5208 6030) 朝阳区三里屯酒吧街81号那里花园3楼D308号 (近三里屯VILLAGE)

Photos: Nicole Bonnah, www.chifanforcharity.org

Although Tizzy is a bit of showoff, it’s tough to fault this newly unveiled robotic arm for flexing. This charismatic space shuttle-esque robotic arm automatron will shake up your order of iced tea with more than a little flair, making him the key attraction at Cosmo Mixology, a newly opened sweet tea vendor at Sanlitun’s Nali Patio.

Patrons need only sidle up to the street-side booth, which has a deep pinkish hue and is also decorated with rows of dials and switches that look like they’ve been lifted from a ’60s sci-fi flick. Aside from the robotic arm, there is also a living breathing attendant tending a window to the left side of Tizzy, which is good news for anyone worried about the ruthlessness of the robot revolution (and a potential letdown for any antisocial customers yearning for the rise of the machines).

Providing the server your order, they’ll disappear into a room out of sight behind the booth. Then the fun starts: Tizzy springs to life, shaking your order of tea to and fro, before making more sustained shakes of the canister at his end joint (what would be his hand and wrist, I guess) until the whole mess becomes a blur. Tizzy’s top then lifts, out comes the mixture into a cup, and voila! Your tea is ready.

Is it a gimmick? Of course. But as far as gimmicks go, this one’s fun and memorable. What really puts Cosmo Mixology over, however, is the tea itself, which isn’t half bad. Their pomegranate signature tea (RMB 28 for both a hot or iced cup; I chose the latter) is actually among some of the best I’ve had at any of the countless sweet tea vendors that have popped up around Beijing in recent years. The fruit-flavored drinks, billed as “authentic Taiwan-style,” have a soft tartness and equally subtle aftertaste and can be souped up with a “yummy cream topping,” which we can only assume is in adherence to the overbearing cheese tea trend that has had Beijing’s beverage scene in a chokehold all year.

Still, the variety of teas on offer, along with the convenient location, make Cosmo a solid spot for anyone in need of a refreshment. Tizzy’s gyrating joints are certainly the initial attraction, but as it turns that it’s the tea that will keep you coming back.

Cosmo Mixology 
Daily 11am-11pm. Nali Patio (south side), 81 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南三里屯路81号那里花园1楼南侧

Photos: Kyle Mullin, courtesy of Cosmo Mixology