LumDimSum Discovery: Biteapitta’s Stuffed Zucchini
Posted: February 25th, 2013 | | Foodies & Dining Scene | Al Safir, Baklava, Biteapitta, Cheesecake, Dareen Coffee, dessert, LDS Discovery, Lumdimsum Discovery, Middle Eastern, Sanlitun, Stuffed Zucchini | No Comments » "Stuffed in soft, fresh pita bread, the Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich holds about six falafels (fried balls from ground chickpeas) with hummus spread throughout and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes and sour cream. The falafel is served fresh and hot and is by far, my favorite item on Biteapitta's menu. It's perfectly proportioned leaving me full but not stuffed and the combination of hummus and falafel is perfect. And for only
My New Favorite Biteapitta Dish: Stuffed Zucchini with Couscous (RMB 33)
Recently, I find myself consistently coming back to Biteapitta once again (I took a break from Biteapitta for a few months last year – see text below), but this time for something other than my usual Hummus and Falafel Pita Sandwich (RMB 30).
"Stuffed in soft, fresh pita bread, the Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich holds about six falafels (fried balls from ground chickpeas) with hummus spread throughout and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes and sour cream. The falafel is served fresh and hot and is by far, my favorite item on Biteapitta's menu. It's perfectly proportioned leaving me full but not stuffed and the combination of hummus and falafel is perfect. And for only RMB 28 (now RMB 30), this is a steal." – Excerpt from Previous LDS Post Praising Biteapitta's Hummus & Falafel Sandwich
A Classic Menu Favorite: Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich (RMB 30)
After all that, I can hardly believe it myself. After years and years of craving nothing more than this super duper pita sandwich, I have moved on to a new favorite menu item: Biteapitta's Stuffed Zucchini with Minced Meat and Rice in a pool of tomato sauce and served alongside couscous (RMB 33).
In case you can't tell from the photo at the top of this page, the serving size portion of this dish is massive and much more filling than the pita sandwich. And at the price of RMB 33, this dish is even more of a bargain. You can also choose from other vegetable options including Stuffed Cabbage and Stuffed Peppers, but the Stuffed Zucchini is my personal favorite.
And since I'd like to consider Biteapitta as one of my top choices for a quick and healthy meal, I've made it this far without ever being tempted to order any of their desserts on display…until now. Just last week I went dessert-crazy and ordered three different desserts – don't worry, I split the three desserts between 4 of us (although they were honestly so good, I probably could have finished all three on my own). I expected the Baklava to be as tasty as it was (though a bit of a small square at RMB 15 each), but I was blown away by their Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse (both RMB 20 each). I would never have guessed Biteapitta would make such a thick, creamy, rich cheesecake with a perfect crumbly cookie crust.
Exactly how I like cheesecake to be, I guess I'll have to forego the whole "healthy" image I associate with Biteapitta because I really don't think I'll ever be able to come back and not order a slice of that cheesecake.
Biteapitta's Baklava Square (RMB 15 each)
Chocolate Mousse (RMB 20)
Who Knew Biteapitta Could be Capable of Such a Perfect Slice of Cheesecake (RMB 20)
To give you a bit of background on my hunt for Middle Eastern:
Last year, I was convinced that there must be a hidden gem serving up authentic, fantastic Middle Eastern cuisine, something that would help me to break through the Biteapitta bubble I was living in.
After going on an eating spree of Middle Eastern restaurants in Beijing, I am back once again, right back at where I started. Slightly disappointing, but Biteapitta deserves its loyal cult following and although I ventured out, I admit it was a failed mission.
No one can deny that Biteapitta is a no-brainer option for a quick, healthy, affordable meal in the Sanlitun area, and it's consistently good in terms of food and service so you really can't complain. There's really no reason why I wandered elsewhere, but I suppose I wanted to discover a new Middle Eastern gem that no one else knew about. I wanted to find an even better Biteapitta.
While I discovered some great dishes in some of the other restaurants I tested including Dareen Coffee located just north of Sanlitun Village North (before you hit Dongzhimen) and Al Safir's Fattah Hummous was fantastic, there were quite a lot of "misses" to almost cancel out the "hits".
Al Safir's Fattah Hummous (RMB 45)
Although I'm back to Biteapitta, I'm always open to hearing more suggestions for great Middle Eastern. Should you have any tips, please below and I'll be more than happy to check it out!
Biteapitta Contact Details:
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Address: Sanlitun Backstreets above the Kebab Spot next to 1st Floor, 201 Tongli Studio, 43 Sanlitun North 三里屯43号楼同里 201 3.3大厦西南方向
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Tel: 6467-2961
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Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11AM-11PM, Friday & Saturday: 11AM-1AM
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Email:
*LumDimSum Discovery Explanation: Whenever I find a dish worth sharing, I will post this find as a LumDimSum Discovery. Just click tagged LumDimSum Discovery articles for more recommendations.
Other Suggested LDS Articles:
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Deceptively Delicious Middle Eastern at Dareen Coffee
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Hail to Halal: Khatoon Iranian Restaurant
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Home Plate Detour: Try Al Safir's Fattah Hummous
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Big Comeback for Biteapitta
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Cedar's Snack & Coffee Shop: Cheap Middle Eastern
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