Beijing Boyce

It appears Beijing has lost another A-hole.

The sign that launched a thousand jokes by drunk patrons is all that remained at Kebab Nation when I visited Tongli Studio yesterday. Whether the gutting of this place means the end of late-night wraps or that a redesign is in order, we shall soon see.

Blue Frog now offers a weekday lunch special, with a choice of six mains, soup or salad, and beverage (coffee, tea, or soft drink) for RMB50. Yesterday, I had the Santa Fe chicken sandwich (tasty, but more of a half-sandwich), potato soup (bland), and a coffee (with an excellent chocolate chip cookie). What made the meal especially good value? The free refill! By the way, several readers have praised the two-for-one burger special on Mondays.

Boutique Wine Cellar is borrowing a marketing tactic from Sanlitun North proper. Two touts out front in huge olive-green winter coats use broken English and occasional giggles in an effort to attract wine lovers. I’m not sure this is the way to go, though these guys are preferable to the lady bars touts alongside Swire’s Sanlitun Village. In any case, Boutique is holding regular wine tastings and I will soon have more details on these.

Expect a bounty of Beaujolais Nouveau parties next week as well as the Vinitaly 2008 event (see below to register). On top of that, this Sunday will see a half-off sale by French Wine Paradox (again, see below to register). Here is what’s coming up. (For the long-term look, check this events page.)

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Thursday, November 13, 7-8:30, Amigo, free
Six Burgundy bargains; buy two, get one free offer during tasting; RSVP at marketing@topcellar.com.cn; 13691-079-531, or http://topcellar.com.cn/web/event.php.

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Friday, November 14, Le Quai, 7 PM, RMB488
Mystery of Kleine Zalze Wine Dinner, Chinese cuisines with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more, with Kleine Zalze proprietor Kobus Basson; by Torres China; RSVP with Sophie at 5165-5519, x208 or sophie@torres.com.cn.

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Friday, November 14, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe, RMB100
A Tasty of Tuscany: Chianti; RSVP via E-vite; to get on the list, call Frank Siegel at 13701178073.

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Saturday, November 15, 5-6 PM, Pinotage, RMB60
Weekly tasting; by WineLink; RSVP with Chris at 13611-207-396 / chrisb@winelink.com.cn.

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Sunday, November 16, 5-11:30 PM, Le Petit Gourmand, free
“I am Paradox”, wine tasting with 100+ wines at 50 percent off; first-come, first-served, no delivery; by French Wine Paradox; RSVP essential: Charles Carrard at ccarrard.fwp@gmail.com or at 8407-5067.

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Wednesday, November 19, Ritz Carlton (Chaoyang), RSVP required
Vinitialy China 2008, with wines from six regions of Italy, and seminars on wine evaluation, olive oil, and more; to register, fill out the form here or contact Francesca Xu at francesca.xu@asiabusinessgroup / 5828-7728 by November 14. The Shanghai and Macau legs will be held November 21 and 22 respectively (see here).

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Wednesday, November 19, China Doll Club (Tongli), 12:01 AM, free
George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau event, by French Wine Paradox; RSVP with Charles Carrard at ccarrard.fwp@gmail.com or at 8407-5067.

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Wednesday, November 19, 7 PM, Opposite Hotel, RMB688
Blind tasting dinner, with Torres sommlier Frank Massard; limited to 12 seats, RSVP with Sophie Sun at 5165-5519, x208 or sophie@torres.com.cn.

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Thursday, November 20, 7 PM, CJW (The Place), RMB88
Beaujolais Nouveau release party, with canapés and live Jazz; RSVP with Sophie at 5165-5519, x208 or sophie@torres.com.cn.

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Note: See the long-term schedule. If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm the details with the venue ahead of time. To get an event listed, send the details to beijingboyce@yahoo.com.