Monthly Archives: October 2008

Peking party puzzle: HalloWine, HalloQueens, or HalloWheeze?

La Baie des Anges used word play to co-opt Halloween for a specific group, the oenophiles, and create Hallowine. Now, The Boat is doing the same with its gay-friendly bash,…

Sips and bites: 2nd Floor, Boutique Wine Cellar, Purple Haze, and more

2nd Floor A genuine staff, a non-pretentious, airy, and earthy décor, reasonably priced drinks, and decent nibbles, including curry puffs (6-8 kuai each; vegetable, chicken, or beef). This place –…

Palette Vino: Courtyard wine bar slated to open November 8

Look for Palette Vino to open a new wine bar next month and expand a Beijing presence that includes a bar and restaurant in Shunyi and a retail space in…

Name That TUN Contest: Be an Eighties DJ… on the Great Wall… while sipping Tasmanian vodka

- UPDATE: Please note there are TWO prizes. One for people who want to be a DJ and one for people who want to win the four bottles of gin…

Show Me Your Pumpkin: More Halloween parties than you can shake a broomstick at

Halloween is this Friday and the scariest thing might be the number of parties being advertised. Well, that and the “Show Me Your Pumpkin” promotion by 25 Degrees (Thankfully, the…

Clairault tasting: A tasty Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

I tagged along to a Watson’s wine lunch in Aria yesterday that featured three bottles from Clairault, in the Margaret River area of southwestern Australia, and three dishes by the…

Tasting time: Trimbach, Taylor, and more

A quick look at some of this week’s upcoming wine tastings. For the long-term view, including a slew of Beaujolais Nouveau parties by French Wine Paradox, check this events page….

Too cosy for comfort: Forget the pink sugar and give me an Alfonso Special

Quiz time! I was invited to a Grand Marnier event, heard it would include an interactive cocktail making session, and brought my drinks recipe book so I could ask the…

He’s crafty: American microbrew maverick Brendan Koeniger

Dead Guy Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Kona Big Wave – you might have seen these beers popping up in bars in Beijing. I talked to Brendan Koeniger, marketing director for American…

The Real Deal Contest: We have a winner…

The Real Deal Contest drew more than 25 suggestions as to where the city’s drinkers and eaters can get the best for their buck during these trying times. Unfortunately, only…

Vintage tasting: City Weekend tries Beijing wines… in 1998

A few weeks ago, I popped into Jenny Lou’s gourmet shop near Chaoyang Park and counted around 100 different sparkling wines. One hundred! Choice in Beijing, in terms of shops,…

Top five watering holes: Phoebe Wong

Phoebe Wong, former manager of Red Capital Residence and RBL, is founder of Sense Beijing, a travel and event consultancy. These are her top five watering holes: – To be…