Beijing Boyce

South Bar Street in early 2005...

-

When South Bar Street – where the new Sanlitun Soho will soon open – slid into the gutter more than four years ago, a few spots endured at the fringes, including Phil’s Pub. This spot tended to draw a rowdy crowd on weekends and a group of regulars from the neighborhood on weekdays, the highlights being the unpretentious decor, the reasonably priced drinks, the yangrou chuar delivered from across the street, and, last but not least, the pleasant owners Phil and Sally. It closed in the spring of 2008 when the landlord reclaimed the space, but now, after a long wait, Phil and Sally are almost ready to open a new spot (map).

Expect a much larger venue, with a longer bar, higher ceilings, and seating for about 100. In contrast to the wood-heavy atmosphere of the old Phil’s, the new place is airier, brighter, and more colorful, although mementoes from the former space, including some the lamps, will make an appearance. Phil says he will offer a range of cocktails and beers as well as coffee during the day for those who want to plunk down with their laptops. The place is slated to open in the next few weeks – I’ll post again when I have a firm date.

(Hat tip to Rich B.)

-

... and in early 2009.

Next time you go to Paddy O’Shea’s (map), expect to find some extra equipment, and I don’t mean a new pair of cleats on manager Karl Long. The place has two new screens, including a 52-inch one, which means watching football players flop will be easier than ever. On top of this, Paddy’s has added a jukebox that patrons can use for free and that includes thousands of tunes, from indie to ‘old school’ to hip hop (yes, but does it have any Stacy Q tunes?).

Long adds that Paddy’s will be holding a party on September 24 to mark the 250th birthday of Guinness and that the place has live music every Friday from 9 PM, with Big John playing blues and more this week.

Last Saturday, Aussino became the latest wine distributor to do a tasting of a significant portion of its portfolio in Beijing, joining companies such as Torres (see here and here), ASC (here), Palette (here and here), and Gelipu and Winelink (here). The event, at the JW Marriott, drew a large turnout, though the entry fee appeared to be voluntary: I paid RMB150, as listed on the invite, but many people told me they walked in for free. Before I get to the wine, a few notes on this and similar tastings.

I’ll start with a problem not particular to the Aussino event: a general lack of water for tasters to rinse out their glasses and/or mouths and an excess of spittoons full to the brim. I’m not a wine event planner, but why not assign one person simply to refill water jugs and empty spittoons? Or set up water dispensers behind, say, every third tasting table and include a bucket underneath each table for the emptying of spittoons? This would keep some people from using the empty water jugs as spittoons and other (unsuspecting) people from pouring that backwash into their empty glasses.

Another general issue: bottles that are only for display. I know distributors want to show their products, but maybe having a poster of such bottles, or even placing them at the back of the table rather than with the opened ones, would bring less disappointment among those who anticipate trying a certain wine and then discover it is for display only. In the Aussino event, a related issue occurred with the German wines, with many only opened at the tail end of the four-hour event, long after one attendee had left in anger.

Some good things: Unlike at some other events, this one saw the air conditioners turned up to accommodate the large crowd and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. It featured giant signboards that showed major wine-producing countries / regions and their sub-regions. And overall, the servers were capable, save for a few who poured thimble-sized samples, and able to provide prices and other information.

As for the wines, we sampled from five continents. Here are a few that I and others liked (I didn’t try every wine on hand and these picks are based on my notes, which became progressively messier as the afternoon wore on):

Rockburn “Parkburn” Riesling 2007, from Central Otago, New Zealand: On the nose, some minerals, citrus, and that light petrol smell often associated with Riesling, as well as a slightly sweet body. While pricey at RMB296, this one might appeal to some newcomers to wine.

Finca el Origin Malbec (RMB82), Malbec Reserva (RMB120), and Malbec [Super Reserva?] (RMB275), all 2007, from Chile: Brian Yao and I both considered the entry-level wine to be decent value: fruity and, said Yao, “a bit jammy”, though he found it “a bit watery mid-palate.” The most expensive Malbec had a very good finish.

Howard Park “Leston” Shiraz 2005 from Margaret River, Australia (around RMB250, I think): Plenty of fruit, though not as heavy as its typical Barossa Valley siblings. Ethan Perk pointed this one out to me and borrowed a phrase to describe it:  “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Le Motte Millenium 2005 (RMB323), from South Africa. Prohibitively priced, it is nevertheless a tasty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec; what one person from Aussino described as “part French, part ‘new world’”.

Yao also considered the Pfalz Auslese 2007 (RMB138, half bottle) from Germany to be decent. He found lychee aromas, while I found flower smells, and he added, “It’s not too sweet. It’s balanced and has good acidity. It’s easy to drink.”

Overall, a good event, and one that I hope becomes an annual for Aussino.