Beijing Boyce

After an excellent wine dinner at Italian restaurant Sadler in the Legation Quarter last night (write-up coming), I scooted next door to French joint Maison Boulod, because I heard it had a new cocktail list. If so, the memo didn’t make it to the bar staff because no one had a clue what I was talking about.

Undeterred, I ordered a Black Salt and Citrus Martini, because I wanted something sweet and saw the ingredients included Grand Marnier along with tequila, lemon juice, and honey. The drink came with a black salt-coated rim and… no Grand Marnier.

Hmmm…

It turns out the bartender replaced it with Cointreau because he considered the drink sweet enough with the honey. I had three thoughts: 1) But I ordered it because of the Grand Marnier, 2) If the drink is too sweet, why list it as such on the menu, and 3) [after a few sips] the Cointreau doesn’t work for me. I didn’t say anything because the employees were nice, it was late, and I was tired.

Three other thoughts:

1. Maison Boulod serves two cocktails I have recommended to many people:

Project 23, which includes – if memory serves - rum, pineapple juice, ginger, cilantro, lime juice, and chili pepper shavings. This is a refreshing drink, with a bit a zing, and is served in a small glass (to save you from yourself).

Kentucky Iced Tea, with properly steeped tea that is chilled so it doesn’t melt the cubes when added to the drink.

These will set you back RMB71.4 each - RMB68 for the drink and RMB3.4 for the (annoying) 5 percent service charge.

2. Although the place is in the former U.S. Embassy, and I assume they get quite a few guests due to that, the Bourbon list is pretty thin - I saw Blanton’s, Four Roses, and Jack Daniels. I understand the focus is on French food and on wine, but would it be that hard to expand the Whiskey list, including the single malts?

3. The place is one in a long line that serve wines from local producer Grace Vineyard, but the first I have seen with both the reserve Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc - my two favorites - by the glass, though they ain’t cheap at RMB78 (plus that service charge).

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