Beijing Boyce

For nearly three years, people have suggested I go beyond writing about the bar and restaurant scene and open my own place. Why don’t you open a bar? Why don’t you open a restaurant? Why don’t you open a bar and a restaurant? If only I had a kuai for every time I have heard this.

I have hesitated because of the myriad headaches that come with getting registered, dealing with landlords, inspectors, contractors, and food and beverage distributors, hiring and managing staff, facing unruly customers, plunging toilets, giving up weekends, and on, and on, and on, and on.

Plus, there is the issue of a theme. I’m not sure my idea of a bar called Zamfir - featuring live pan flute music 24/7, a free wind chime with every purchase, and discounts for people into crystals and unicorn art - would work. Frankly, bilingual pan flute players aren’t easy to find in Beijing.

All kidding aside, the time has come. Now, finally, and not a minute too soon, Boyce is throwing his spatula and martini glass into the ring.

That’s right, Bob Boyce (no relation), the Shanghai entrepreneur involved in the blue frog and KABB chains will expand to Beijing. In part five of my series of posts on places projected to open over the next few months, I interviewed Boyce about his Beijing plans. (Previously - The new China Doll; The new Nali Studios: Saddle, H2O; The new China Doll; The Legation Quarter)

Boyce (Jim): There have been rumors of blue frog coming to Beijing for years. Why now?

Boyce (Bob): We actually had plans to open last year but the projects we are located in were both delayed. I’ve wanted to have a blue frog presence in Beijing for a long time but until recently it was tough to find good space. There are some great new buildings and developments opening up right now and we are looking forward to being a part of them. I personally love Beijing and can’t wait to be able to spend more time there.

Where will the blue frogs be in Beijing, what can patrons expect, and when will the places open?
We will open two new blue frogs in the next several months. One will be in the new Sanlitun project and the other will be in Europlaza out in Shunyi. We should be open in the last part of May or early part of June for both locations.

Our Sanlitun blue frog will have about 100 seats and will be casual but sophisticated. It will be warm and inviting but also contemporary and hip. There will be a bar and a restaurant together. The goal is to have place where people let their hair down. It will have a great late night vibe as well as a lot of outdoor space for relaxed weekend brunches.

The Europlaza blue frog will be more family oriented and have plenty of space for kids as well as areas for big groups of families and friends. We will focus on creating and maintaining a relaxed, fun community gathering place.

Steaks, burgers, pastas, and salads are the core of our menu. We also will have a great selection of cocktails and wine.

At all blue frogs we really focus on giving our customers a great experience at a reasonable price.

(Interview continues after photo)

One of seven branches in Shanghai (Photo: blue frog)

What is your client based in Shanghai and how do you expect it to differ, if at all, in Beijing?
We have a really diverse group of patrons, people from all over China as well as the world. Most are in white-collar jobs or have their own businesses. About 80 percent are based locally. I believe we will have the same type of following in Beijing.

People bringing concepts and franchises to Beijing have struggled over the past few years - Capone’s, RBL, Trader Vic’s and others closed. What makes you think blue frog will work in Beijing?
blue frog is a business born in China and we are really proud of that fact. We spend a lot of time getting to know our customers and building a sense of community in our places. That sense of community is what brings people back. In Beijing we plan on being fully engaged with our customers and with the neighborhoods we are located in.

What kind of promotion of blue frog are you planning for Beijing?
We will have a great happy hour offering two-for-one well drinks, from 4 PM to 8 PM. every day. Weekend brunch will start immediately as well as a number of food and drink promotions during the week. There should be something going on pretty much every day. We will also have our famous / infamous wall of fame. Drink 100 shots from our shots menu and we’ll put your name on the wall of fame and give you a shot on the house every time you come back in.

You lived in Beijing in the mid-90s. How does the restaurant and bar scene compare then and now?
I studied Chinese at Beijing second Foreign Language University (Er Wei) in 1994, so my roots are in Beijing. At the time there were not a lot of options for Western food and drink. We used to have to travel a couple of hours by bus to get to the McDonald’s in Wangfujing. Sanlitun was full of flower and frame shops and Poachers Inn and the disco at the Kunloon Hotel were the only games in town. Those of your readers who remember those days are probably a little misty-eyed right now because they were fun times.

Now, Beijing is a really sophisticated international city with a lot of options for food, drink and entertainment. Beijingers have a great deal of choice and the market is competitive.

Based on your recent trips to Beijing, what places have impressed you?
I love Dongbei food so I usually head to the nearest dumpling restaurant I can find.