Beijing Boyce

This is part fourteen in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Jade Gray of Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory.

Jady Gray (right) and partner John O'Loghlen

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What is the “must try” pizza at Gung Ho?

To me the pizza that best represents what Gung Ho Pizza is all about would be the Chicken/Camembert on Whole Wheat crust. Premium ingredients, innovative toppings, stellar taste. The kicker to this killer combination is the macerated black currents that we throw on top, giving it a savory/sour punch that totally works. Most people read it on the menu and are a little skeptical, but once I twist their arm to try it, they are sold for good and don’t want to try anything but. Definitely works best on the whole wheat crust, as do most of our flavors. We use an organic wholewheat flour sourced from Heilongjiang that brings something special to the palate. It’s no wonder our wholewheat outsells our white crust. (RMB65 for medium, RMB95 for large)

What is the “most try” non-pizza item at Gung Ho?

Difficult to say as we have a new menu coming out after Chinese New Year with a heap of fresh goodness. On the current menu I would have to say our Greek Salad. Obviously it’s a staple on any menu, but ask anyone who has tried it and they’ll swear it’s one of the best in Beijing. We don’t cut corners on any of our salad ingredients as illustrated by the liberal servings of imported kalamata olives and feta cheese that we source from Greece. The flat parsley that we use adds a whole new angle to this Mediterranean classic, and even though we are known for our gourmet pizza it’s the noise that we are making with our salads that has taken us by surprise. (RMB30 medium, RMB50 large)

What are three “must try” items at other venues in Beijing?

1. Switch! (798) Sichaun Cosmo… just be sure to ask the bartender to keep the spice down!

2. Any entrée at Sureno.

3. Lush’s Deluxe Burger: Totally hits the spot after a night on the town… but I guess owning the place makes me a little bias!

Time Out magazine takes on a topic this month about which most people I know have strong opinions: What is the best pizza in Beijing? I’ve seen people flip out every time The Tree wins for “best pizza” at The Beijinger awards; heated debate about whether the pies at La Pizza (or Kro’s Nest or Hutong Pizza or wherever) are good or not, and inspired discussions about crusts, sauces, and toppings. Here is how Time Out ranked twenty pizzas:

1. La Pizza
2. Hutong Pizza
3. Sureno
4. The Tree
5. Mao Mao Chong
6. Gung Ho!
7. Meeting Point
8. Vineyard Café
9. Kro’s Nest
10. Tavola
11. Annie’s
12. O Sole Mio
13. The Den
14. Abella
15. Pyro Pizza
16. Danger Doyle’s
17. Bang! Bang! Pizza
18. Tube Station Pizza
19. All-Star Sports Bar
20. Pizza Buona

By and large, I can see the rationale behind these rankings, particularly those in the top ten. But they do inspire a few thoughts…

• Time Out should have included Origus in its survey. Just so they could rank it number 50 out of 20.
• The magazine is going to get complaints from fans of other pizza places, from Passby Bar to Nasca to L’Isola: one acquaintance swears by the pizza at the latter.
• They missed half the point about The Den. Yes, it provides late night pizza but it also has a daily half-price pizza deal. Where else can you get a decent four cheese pizza for RMB30.
• The thing about Pizza Buona is that I know chefs who love it. In fact, the chef at the former Louisiana restaurant in the Hilton first introduced it to me and I know other chefs who order it. I’m not saying that alone means it is the best, but last place? Though to be honest, I only like the pepperoni pizza from this place.
• If you get the lunch special at Sureno, you can include the pizza. That turns a pricey pie into a good deal.
• Does Nearby the Tree have a pizza oven? I did not know that…

Notes from visits around Sanlitun and Workers Stadium. I’ll have a separate post on a pair of trips to Shuangjing…

Refresh: My 10 percent discount card is seeing lots of action given I like the coffee / rocket fuel at this place. Refresh also has a “happy hour” from 8 PM to 9 PM, Sunday through Thursday, and from 9 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday. The deal: all remaining eats on display, including salads, wraps, and sandwiches, are sold at half price.

Flamme: The new bar is open although it took a Keystone Contractors double feature on Friday to get the glass washer installed. This unit comes with a sturdy foot rest, coat hooks beneath the lip, and more space in back for Paul Mathew and team to make cocktails. (Speaking of which, get a free one by bringing the coupon on page 33—top right corner—of this month’s The Beijinger.) On the burger front, I’ve tried a handful of the options on the relatively new Jeff Powell menu and my favorites are the Buena Vista and the Firehouse, the latter good for those who prefer a moderate amount of spiciness.

Fubar: Popped in three times last week. This place was as busy—and smoky—as ever, as the pool of people who get giddy showing their friends the sliding door seems endless. Compared to a year ago, Fubar is much nicer, with the elimination of that huge wall light and the addition of the L-shaped balcony above the bar. It is also increasingly expensive: this week soft drinks went up by RMB10 and mixed drinks by RMB5 although that Hendrick’s GT and the cocktails still offer decent value. There is word of a two-for-one happy hour on the horizon. (There is also word of a show by blues act Black Cat Bone. Sounds like a perfect fit for this place.)

George’s: A young lass accosted me on Friday night to emphatically declare George’s the best bar in Beijing. The key factor, said she, was the bar staff: “These are the hottest guys in town. Just look at them.” Alack and alas, I was too busy perusing the beverage list. The new additions include a smooth Butterscotch Martini. Owner George Zhou, who gives the bar staff Mondays off and makes all drinks himself, says the Lemon Ginger Martini is particularly popular while many of my acquaintances like the Mango Mash. As always, I’ll throw a nod at the Alfonso Special.

Union: I dropped by at 10 PM on Friday and found the place heaving, with four parties under way. Actually, Union seems to be busy every night. Note: the Reuben Tuesday deal—sandwich with fries and slaw for RMB50—is done like last year. You’ll have to buck up and pay RMB72. Note II: I use to regularly write about the poor service at Union: not getting utensils half the time, screw ups with the orders and bills, Toaster-gate and Coffee-gate, and so on. No longer: For the better part of a year, such problems have been few and far between, and the service ranks among the most improved in the city.

1F: Led by friendly and efficient manager Jack Zhou, a diverse clientele, and a good selection of beers and spirits, this place ranks among the city’s success stories of the past year. Yes, it is tough to get around when the place is crowded and the toilets could use an upgrade, but you know you are doing something right when people who work in other bars consistently frequent your place. 1F will be open on Chinese New Year’s Eve, with DJ Phil at the turntables…

This is part thirteen in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Kro’s Nest owner Olav Kristoffer Bauer a.k.a. “Kro” and the F&B team Zach Lewison and Marty Handley.

Zach Lewison, Olaf Kristoffer Bauer, Marty Handley

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What is the “must try” food at Kro’s Nest?

Handley: Pardon the Pesto pizza (medium RMB120, large RMB155).  Pesto sauce, smoked duck, mushrooms, and spinach. Great way to have duck on a pizza without making it. Has a Beijing focus like everyone else is doing these days.

Bauer: Rocky Road Rice Krispy Pie (RMB45). Desserts are a new thing for us and this one is awesome. Sometimes one or two go missing. Trust me, I know where they went.

Lewison: Fried artichokes (RMB38). There is something about fried food that is salty, sour, and crispy. Best app we have.

What is the “must try” drink at Kro’s Nest?

Handley: Beach Baby Bushwhacker (RMB50).  Rum, Kahlua, and chocolate sauce. Since Zach and I are both from coastal cities in Florida, this is a homage to our state.

Bauer: The Flaming Kro (RMB50).  Beer, Amaretto, and 151 rum. This is our house drink. It’s a spin off of The Flaming Moe from The Simpsons, except ours is better and won’t burn our bar down… I hope.

Lewison: Root beer float (RMB25). A&W root beer with ice cream: takes me back to when I was little Zach, spending summers playing baseball and not having to worry about running kitchens in Beijing.

What are your “must try” foods and drinks at other venues?

Drinks…

Handley: Big bottles of Yanjing! Nothing connects you better to Beijing than drinking these on the busy streets and watching the city pass you by.

Bauer: Tap water, my house.  I work every day all day, so having a glass of water at my house is always going to be my go to drink.

Lewison: Gin and tonic at Fubar. I use to hate gin and tonic, Chad [Lager] changed me on this. I will never drink one outside of Fubar unless Chad is there by chance and makes it. That’s how devoted I am to it.

Foods…

Handley: New York strip with mushroom sauce at Chef Too. Billy [Bolton] knows his steak, and this is a simple dish made perfect. Can’t beat it.

Bauer: The falafel from Dareen coffee.  Karim [Aljaddi] has the best in town: he sells me coffee, so with every order I try to work in a falafel.

Lewison: Hot dog at No More Bunz. I moved from Dongzhimen to Lido last year and the only thing I regret is not being able to walk to work and stop by for the American hot dog.

This is part twelve in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Tobias “Tobi” Demker, owner of Purple Haze and Purple Haze Bistro, and bassist for local acts Bad Mamasan and Black Cat Bone.

A little bit curry, a little bit rock and roll.

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What is the “must try” food at Purple Haze?

The pan-fried crab cakes with mango salsa. It’s only served at Purple Haze Courtyard, but it’s a really good appetizer.

What is the “must try” drink at Purple Haze?

Vanilla Summer, a simple drink using vanilla vodka, apple juice and ginger Ale. Simple but good.

What are three “must tries” from other places in Beijing?

For Chinese food, 小炒牛肉 (quickly fried beef) at 相西土菜 (called Hot & Spicy Bar in English). This is a Hunan restaurant in the compound where I live. It serves this really spicy beef dish. In fact, it’s so spicy I can’t have it too often.

For Western food: I don’t know if they serve it at their new location but the suckling pig with cumin cream foam at Agua was to die for. Really tender with amazing flavors.

For drinks, I usually have wine or beer, but I had a really good martini at one of the Japanese joints. Might have been Ichikura. A martini mixed with pepper vodka, Tabasco and olives. Really good with some extra olives on the side. Obviously a lot of spice to this drink, so you might not want to have too many on one night.

The Super Bowl inspires hundreds of NFL devotees, fair-weather fans, and seekers of an excuse to guzzle early morning beers to get together and watch American football in Beijing. This year more than a dozen Beijing bars will show The Big Game. Kickoff is 7:30 AM, Monday, February 7, Beijing time. Below are some places that will show the game, with the most recent info underlined. While I do my best to put this info together, if you have any doubts, it is best to call the venue ….

Note: To use the map function, click “(map)” beside a given venue. To send the address of that venue in English or Chinese to your phone, click  the “Send to mobile” button on the map.

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THE KEY CONTENDERS

The Goose and Duck/Frank’s Place (map): The Goose and Duck is like the seasoned quarterback who is sidelined with a nagging groin injury. In other words, though the GND has drawn big during the past seven Super Bowls, this time around it is under renovations. Regulars should consider hoofing it to Frank’s Place in Lido since a) it usually draws a decent crowd and b) The GND’s John Harkness now runs it. The deal is breakfast and two drinks for RMB100. (If you were wondering, the place still hasn’t been renamed Johnny Duck’s. Let’s pray it never is.)

The Den (map): Another longstanding popular place to catch the Super Bowl. As usual, the RMB50 entry fee and includes breakfast. Expect to also find RMB15 pints of local draft and Bloody Marys. The Den is like that twelve-year All-Pro lineman who is a bit beat up but dependable.

Tim’s Texas BBQ (map): The only place that offers both a breakfast and lunch buffet. Wash ‘em down with RMB20 Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers. Bonus: the Super Bowl is in Dallas this year and Tim’s is about as close to a Texas feel as you will get in Beijing. If it were a player, Tim’s would be that full back who can bust through the middle or take a pass and go outside–you just hope he’s running the right way.

Paddy O’Shea’s (map): I imagine manager Karl Long ranks the following sports ahead of American football: soccer (referred to as “football” in some countries), rugby, cricket, F1, hurling, and Scottish Premier League caber tossing. But that doesn’t stop him from attracting plenty of punters who pound down pancakes and pints of Guinness. Paddy’s is like that wide receiver who only catches two balls a game but at least one is for a spectacular touchdown. And this year it is teaming up with NFL China and sports league organizers Mashup Asia. Expect a RMB100 breakfast special with bottomless coffee and beer as well as plenty of giveaways.

The Irish Volunteer (map): This modestly sized spot offers a reasonably priced breakfast and typically good armchair quarterback talk. If it were a player, The Volunteer would be a diminutive punt returner that constantly threatens to run it back for a touchdown. Update: Seats being reserved on first come, first serve basis. Super Bowl breakfast (three eggs, toast, bacon, etc) at RMB35, bottomless coffee at RMB15 (add Bailey’s for RMB15), Tsingtao at RMB10, bucket of beer deal, and lucky draws. Email gwsmithiii@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

The Union Bar & Grille (map): Became a contender with its first Super Bowl party last year. The breakfast is pricey (RMB130) but the seats are comfy, the picture quality is excellent, and this is about as “high end” as you get for Super Bowl viewing in Beijing. Main issue: a few sightlines are slightly blocked by banks of candles, though this might add an element of romance for some. If it were a football player, the Union would be that running back who racks up the numbers but also draws a massive salary.

Luga’s Villa (map): Last year, it pulled off the equivalent of a Hail Mary by having four New England Patriots cheerleaders perform. Expect the standard breakfast and beer deals. If it were a player, it would be that somewhat unpredictable journeyman you pick up in the hopes of getting a big play rather than an on-field, or off-field, implosion.

Those are some obvious choices. Now, for some more spots….

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THE EXPANSION TEAMS

Grinders (map): This relative newcomer just added a big screen and will offer some kind of breakfast special, says management. An option for those in Shuangjing.

The Stumble Inn (map): The second edition of this pub hosts its first Super Bowl party in Sanlitun Village. If you like craft brews with your bowl, you’ll like the menu here.

Green Cap Pub (map): Those in Shunyi can get breakfast for RMB60, with refills available for the asking.

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THE WILD CARDS

All-Star Sports Bar (map): This Solana based establishment has dozens of screens. If you have problems paying attention, this is the spot for you. (I don’t see anything re Super Bowl on the All-Star web site or Facebook page and no one answered when I called a few minutes ago. Suggest you call ahead.)

Blue Frog (map): This place had signal problems last year but will give it another go this year. The DIY Bloody Mary kit is a good early morning option.

Hooters (map): They have also had satellite problems and resorted to showing the game in Mandarin in past years.

NOLA (map): Will show the game with a projector upstairs and on the flat screen downstairs. Expect a breakfast-brunch combo for RMB95 plus Mimosas, Screwdrivers, and Hurricanes for RMB30.

Pyro Pizza: These guys have been a good option for NFL fans in Wudaokou. I’m waiting to hear if this place will show the game this year. (Still haven’t heard back.)

Saddle Cantina: Likewise, I’m waiting word on whether or not the game will be screened. (Still haven’t heard back.)

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THE DARK HORSES

Danger Doyle’s: These guys were clueless when I dropped by last year to see if they would have any specials for the game. It even took a while to convince them The Super Bowl was different from The Premier League. If bars were players, this would be the guy with the concussion.

NOTE: Pavillion will not be showing the game, Pavillion: Now partnered with New Zealand band Solidaz, it has shifted away from sports to live music, but I’ll contact the management to see if the game will be shown. If these guys can do other Queen songs as well as they do Bohemian Rhapsody, they can finish the event with a kick-ass rendition of We Are the Champions.

Chateau Schloss: Enjoy a 55-inch HD TV with surround sound as well as bottomless coffee, Bloody Marys, and Bloody Caesars with a local wit. Apparently, invite only.

One of Shunyi’s oldest drinking holes, The Pomegranate, has undergone renovations and will reopen tomorrow night as Pomme O’Shea’s, a play on the old name and that of sibling Irish pub Paddy O’Shea’s, says Karl Long.

The opening party will include a free keg of beer at 6 PM, the bands Out of Control and Big Metal Doors, and drink giveaways. Co-owner Fiona McCormack adds that the place will remain open throughout the Chinese New Year holidays, have a weekly Wednesday pub quiz led by new manager John Culhane, and feature live music on Fridays and Sunday.

This is part eleven in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Stephen Rocard and Stephanie Zhou of Mao Mao Chong, which is known for its creative cocktails, pizzas, and arty interior.

Who are those masked bar owners?

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What is the “must try” drink at Mao Mao Chong?

We have a few must tries at Mao Mao Chong but since it’s winter and bloody cold out we’ll suggest our Adult Chai (RMB40). Homemade chai spiced up with a naughty shot of Mao Mao Chong cinnamon infused vodka. You have to try it, it’s delicious. We infuse the vodka and make the chai blend ourselves. We don’t use packet chai or chai powder which is what makes it special.

What is the “must try” food at Mao Mao Chong?

Well, we only serve pizza and peanuts at Mao Mao Chong so let’s say pizza. Our favorite is the The Peasant Pizza (RMB60): tomato, mozzarella, roasted eggplant, pesto, and parmigiano. We keep it simple, use fresh ingredients, and put our heart and soul into all our pizzas.

What are three “must try” foods and drinks at other Beijing venues?

Xian Lao Man (Andingmennei Dajie) is where we always take our visitors for dumplings. The “fullest” and some of the best jiaozi in the Jing.

Capital M (Qianmen): Their pavlova is to die for. An iconic Australian dessert done to perfection.

Esquires Coffee (CityMall, Liangmaqiao): New Zealand coffee chain putting Starbucks to shame, though that’s not difficult. Great coffee and their hot white chocolate is worth a try. It’s become a regular stop for us on our way to Sanyuanli market.

Plenty of restaurants and bars will close during Chinese New Year for everything from a few days (Agua on February 2 and February 3) to ten days or more (Beer Mania from January 27 to February 7). Best to phone ahead and make sure your destination is open so you are not left, both figuratively and literally, out in the cold. Best also to practice patience as it sounds like many restaurants and bars, at least “Western” ones, will be short-staffed during the holidays.

Flamme should have its new bar installed by Friday. The previous unit looked like it came from Ikea and had a curve that jutted just enough that people had trouble passing behind imbibers and thus often detoured through the dining area. The new unit is longer and narrower and comes with a wood base, a sturdy foot rail, and coat hooks and sockets under its lip. Looking forward to test-sitting it with a Passionate Englishman (the drink).

Grinders has launched its happy hour: half price draft beer, bottled beer, glasses of house wine, and hi-balls, 3 PM to 7 PM, seven days a week. The regular price of Kilkenny and Strongbow cider has increased from RMB40 to RMB50 per pint. This is still good value for these beverages and translates into RMB25 during happy hour, with Stella at RMB20 and house wine at RMB13.

One idea: pair this happy hour with the two-for-one deal The Loop runs nightly from 9 PM. Speaking of which, once the staff figured out how to set up my DVD player, we found this a decent place to show video last Sunday during the Firefly meet-up. As for the food, the pizza crust needs some work, though you get a lot of filler for RMB28. And I know I’ve said it before, but I like the layout of this place.

Someone recently donated a bottle of maple syrup to First Floor. The result: the place now offers “Canadian coffee“, a brew topped off with Canadian Club whiskey and maple syrup.

Finally, I dropped into Tun bar this week: I’m not sure how long that new door, signage, and kitchen design has been around, but the place looks spiffier.

This is part ten in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Steven Zonneveld of Nanluoguxiang pub Ned’s, which packs a lot of punch for its size. (Check these drink specials at Ned’s during Australia Day on Wednesday. And go here to enter my Aussie slang contest.)

Steven Zonneveld: The man behind Ned's

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What is the “must try” beer at Ned’s?

All of our beers are from Australia at Ned’s, so I’d suggest trying Australia’s favorite full strength beer. VB! I’m also from Melbourne and have grown up drinking it my whole life so I might be a little bias. It’s also cheaper to buy a VB at Ned’s than just about anywhere in Australia (RMB25 per bottle; RMB20 during happy hour).

What is the “must try” cocktail/mixed drink at Ned’s?

The Melbourne and the Beijing iced teas (RMB35) seem to be quite popular with the females while the trusty Ned’s Special (RMB50) seems to be a hit with the local blokes. The Ned’s Special was traditionally a huge strong glass of JD but has recently become a giant glass of whatever you like! Good for priming up for a big night!

What are three “must try” foods and drinks at other Beijing venues?

If you’re in serious need of a decent and affordable steak try Traktir Pushkin’s steak wrapped in bacon with mashed potatoes. A steal for 40 RMB! I’m also a big fan of the vegetable spring rolls and noodles at the Vietnamese restaurant call Pho on Guluo Dong Dajie. And for those willing to travel, check out the Muslim restaurant in BLCU. The lamb, neng, and onion are to die for!

For drinks, I would suggest picking up a 15 RMB street Mojito while you cruise down Nanluoguxiang, a tasty Moscow Mule from First Floor, or wiping yourself out with an Armageddon from Chocolate.

Many cocktail fans will know mixologist Motonari Uchiyama from Twilight, Apothecary, and the former Er. Now he is involved in Mokihi, a new drinks and whiskey venture–and a tiny one at that, with space for about a dozen patrons, I am told–near Lucky Street. This sounds perfect for those seeking a one-two single malt punch given that Nashville is nearby with more than 50 options and a smashing two-for-one happy hour. (Hat tip to Wise Bartender)

More than a few people have griped about being just outside the Gung Ho! Pizza delivery area. Good news for some as this place has increased its range (see map), says co-owner Jade Gray. (By the way, Gray will be featured in the Must Tries Series later this week.) Gung Ho! also announced it is offering a thicker crust option, though this only applies to white crusts on medium pizzas, and a “half and half” option, which means you can get four cheeses on one side and that Camembert, chicken, and blackcurrant combo on the other.

Until last night, I hadn’t been to Ole, beside Salsa Cariba and across from Nanjie in Sanlitun South. (I’m blaming the ghosts of former tenant Lee Theatre and its RMB60 bottles of Tsingtao for keeping me away.) I was surprised to find espresso for a mere RMB10! I knocked back a pair and was working on a project and a glass of wine when management asked if I wanted to join a tasting they were doing upstairs of two potential desserts, some sausages and hams, a cheese, and a trio of tasty wines. Good times! I’ll have more on Ole soon. For now, I’ll note that it has 48 Spanish wines on its menu (from RMB90 per bottle), including three whites by the glass (from RMB45) and four reds by the glass (RMB35).

Also in the area, CN Witness Club has opened in the former Night Club space, close to Rock and Roll. Pakistani restaurant Khan Baba is offering a RMB38 lunch buffet on weekdays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It’ll rise to a still-reasonable RMB45 next month due to the increasing price of food ingredients in Beijing. And Tun is looking spiffier with new doors, signage, and kitchen design.

This is part nine in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Chef Jordi Valles of Spanish restaurant Agua in Sanlitun’s Nali Patio.

Get veal, people! (photo: Agua)

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What is the ‘must try’ food at Agua?

The “must eat” food is our “slow cooked Wagyu veal cheek with marinated plums in red wine and lightly pickled beetroot”.

What is the ‘must try’ drink at Agua?

Bodegas Maurodos “Prima”, a typical wine from the Toro region in Spain. This wine is full bodied with great depth and concentration, and received 91 points from Wine Advocate. It is 95 percent Tempranillo and 5 percent Grenache, and is produced by the most recognized winery in this region: Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos. It is only available at Agua in Beijing (RMB65 glass / RMB410 bottle).

What three ‘must try’ items at other venues in Beijing?

The Wagyu short ribs at Jaan at the Raffles Beijing.

The vegetarian “hippie” sandwich at Element Fresh.

Haven’t had time to call every sports bar in town but here a few that will show the NFL playoffs this weekend. I’ll update as I get more info. I’ll also have a list next week of which places will show The Super Bowl.

The Den (map) and Frank’s Place (map) will show the Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears at 4 AM and the New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers at 7:30 AM on Monday.

Paddy O’Shea’s (map) will show the latter game.

I know Kirby “The Commish” Carder first and foremost as a sports fan and fellow basketball league player, second as one who appreciates a decent drink, and third as the guy who made fun of my faux sheepskin jacket at least a half-dozen times during the Torres Taste of Nations wine event last fall. Actually, let’s switch number two and three around. Here are his top five bar picks in Beijing.

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“1. Twilight: This is without a doubt my favorite bar in Beijing. It’s extremely convenient for anyone who works in Guomao, but somewhat hard to find if you don’t know where to look. It has a drink menu that is a good size but not overwhelming. There are standard drinks that are always available and also a selection of 10 or so cocktails that the owners work hard to make sure reflects the tastes of the season.

“I am drinking a Putong Manhattan. It’s off the menu, but they know I like it and they don’t seem to mind making it for me. If you want something on the main menu try the Moscow Mule, and if you want to try something seasonal, the Fall in Love (a pumpkin banana smoothie drink) is a crowd pleaser right now.

“2. Nashville: Underrated place with a great happy hour. Every drink is two for one during happy hour. It has a great whisky selection that is reasonably priced. I am a big fan of country music, and though the CDs that tend to be played there are not what I would necessarily prefer, beggars can’t be choosers. There is ample seating that never seems to be in short supply, and an outdoor patio for drinking during nice weather.

“I am drinking a beer (probably Carlsberg draught) and a whiskey (probably Glenfiddich 12 year). You got to double fist when the deal is this good.

“3. Fubar: Chad runs a great show. Good drinks at reasonable prices, and the staff is well trained… that is the trifecta for Beijing bars. Only real complaint is that on popular drinking nights it can be impossible to get a seat, but is the fact that the bar is popular really that much of a problem?

“I am drinking a Long Island: pound for pound the most bang for your buck on the menu.

“4. Kura Kura: I actually like some of the other Japanese whiskey bars better, but Kura Kura wins the overall contest because of the convenient location. When it’s cold outside who really wants to walk to Sanlitun North Street to go to the Glen or try to get a cab to go to Ichikura?

“I am drinking one of the harder to find bourbons they have….Elijah Craig anyone? Or one of the Japanese whiskeys: most likely Suntory or Yamasaki.

“5. Formerly at Souk, soon to be at Kro’s Nest: I make this call because of the atmosphere that is created during the pub quiz night run by Jim and Tao. I always have a good time at trivia night, and after my team wins another bottle of vodka (the top prize for winning that night) things usually devolve into a dance party.

“I am drinking whatever is on special, and any booze my team wins while playing the game. The winner of each round gets some kind of drink and any ties are broken through a beer chug: these guys know how to run a trivia contest.”

This is part eight in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: GM and co-owner Eduardo Gutierrez and PR manager Mai Quant from Migas in Nali Patio.

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What is the “must try” food at Migas?

Gutierrez: Our selection of homemade sausages–black, butifarra, and chorizo (RMB68). These are “must try” because we make them from scratch in the Migas kitchen. You can try the true flavor of Spanish sausages, made in China and finished in our Josper charcoal oven.

What is the “must try” drink at Migas?

Quant: Cucumber Goes to Moscow (RMB70). This cocktail is a fresh and unique mix of ginger and cucumber with premium vodka.

What are three “must try” items at other venues in Beijing?

Both: Tendon noodles at Noodle Bar (面吧) in 1949.

Spicy fried crab with peanuts (xian la xie) at the fish market we visit on East Fourth Ring Road. You buy fresh crab at the market and then go upstairs where they cook it for you.

Falafel at Jerusalem on Sanlitun North.

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An Australian friend said yesterday’s post was “a little wide of mark for the Aussie sense of humor” while a reader advised me “don’t quit your day job.” Hey, don’t blame me, guys. I didn’t invent the dingo.

Anyway, for those who think it is easy to come up with Aussie slang, here is your chance. I’m giving away a bottle of Wolf Blass “Gold Label” Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia and a pair of Bordeaux-style Riedel glasses from, um, Austria (close enough). That’s a pretty nice wine and some pretty nice glasses into which to pour it. It also comes in a gift pack in case you want to give it away. (All these items came from ASC Fine Wines and are available at its new Wine Gallery.)

To win them, come up with some Aussie slang and stick it in the comments section—even better if you give it a Beijing angle. You can enter up to five times. All legitimate entries will go into a random draw for the wine and glasses. The entry deadline is next Wednesday at noon.

Get to it, you My entries are in the comments section (no, I can’t win, but I can still play)….

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8 Songs and I stopped for drinks at Westside (The Prosper Center) and Speyside (The Office Park) on a recent evening and ended up taking, well, sides…

Westside

If you are like me and a waiter gives you a happy hour menu and a regular menu and the prices on both seem to be the same, you scratch your head, recheck the numbers several times, and wonder if you missed something. If you are like me and in Westside, you have a conversation like this with the waiter.

Me: Excuse me but the prices on these menus are the same. What’s the difference with the “happy hour”?

Waiter: The drinks are two for one.

You: [Looking at the menu for some indication of that special and finding none.] How are we supposed to know?

Waiter: Because, I am telling you right now.

You: Why, you cheeky little…! Oh.

Westside draws a suited crowd and reminds me of some colonial bar where the lights are kept fairly low, reminders of home are strewn on the walls (photos of Big Ben and cricket bats), wheeling and dealing is done at a murmur, and occasionally a patron gets handed a bamboo tube that conceals marching orders.

Speaking of wheeling, I felt like that would be the only means to remove me. While 8 Songs got fancy and knocked back Guigal from the wine preservation machine at RMB98 per glass, I order a pair of Manhattans that turned out to be generously portioned and potent (RMB52 during happy hour, 5 to 7 PM). Call ‘em Elephant Gun Drinks. If the Moscow Mules are near as strong, expect to leave with a hoof print on your forehead.

Despite the initial confusion, this place offered good happy hour value and decent overall service…

Speyside

“Western” bars and restaurants in Beijing tend do better with hardware than software. Speyside is no exception. The place is nice enough with its high ceilings, three-sided bar, and table, booth and sofa seating but uncertainty arises when it comes to something as simple as olives.

I ordered a martini (RMB35) and we witnessed minor staff confusion behind the bar in the locating the equipment, a rather limp shake by the bartender, and then muttered debate as to the number of olives that should go in the glass. Should it be one or three? And should they be impaled on a wooden toothpick or a semi-transparent plastic blue sword? The result: a single olive on a blue blade.

I found my martini slightly too sweet (I should have stressed dry) and watery (too much time in the mixer), but such is life. The manager, who hails from Italy and who says he is a partner*, asked about our drinks. I described mine as “okay” and joked that the olive looked “lonely”. I no longer consider it wise to joke with an Italian managing a bar named after a Scottish region and located in a Chinese city.

He chastised the bartenders, told them to give me more olives, and held a service powwow–behind the bar and within listening distance–with some employees. I felt bad about making the comment.

Meanwhile, the bartenders faced crisis number two in regard to the olives. Should they pull the sword from my drink and add two olives to it, or take that lone olive off the sword and skewer it with the two still left on the toothpick from their first debate, or just give me a new set of three? The answer: a bartender took the toothpick with two olives and slid it into my drink beside the blue sword with one.

I haven’t seen that move before and the contrast of wood and plastic raised thoughts about the environmental impact of various garnish holders, the uses of the toothpick versus sword as weapons, and whether paired olive green with neon blue had been successfully paired by any fashion designer (I could think of none).

Look, I realize this is much ado about a lone martini but it did seem to symbolize a place struggling with its service. Take the wine ordered by 8 Songs: he found it too warm and in a glass that still smelled slightly soapy. Take our second drink: actually, we didn’t get one. Though the place had half a dozen employees and some of them, not to mention the manager, passed us several times, no one noticed our glasses were empty. I should add that we were the only customers.

On a positive note, the staff is pleasant enough, particularly the hostess who seated us, and the service problems could be greatly reduced with some basic training. Let’s hope the staff gets some, because they already have a good stock of olives.

* Apparently the manager/partner has since left for another restaurant. Not surprising given he asked us if we knew of any other opportunities in Beijing.

No Aussie stereotypes here. None at all. (famemagazine.com)

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Australia Day is again upon us–next Wednesday, January 26–and that means deals from the Vegemite Triangle of 12SQM, Ned’s, and Mao Mao Chong (see below for details). Rather than bringing out the same old tired Aussie lingo, stuff like “shrimp on the barbie“, “sink a few tinnies” and “bilby in the bottom paddock”, I decided to come up with my own….

“G’day fellow inmates! Get your yute warmers down to the Vegemite Triangle next Wednesday and go Irwin. It’ll be double dingo tickety boo. More fun than going back door on a bilby gone boinkers. Gander at the maps below so you don’t pull a Burke and Wills and end up face down in some gutter with a platypus named Matilda. And make sure you wear your koala beards because it’s going to be an eight dog night. Didgeridoo! (See translation below)

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The deal…

12SQM (map)

All imported beers, including Aussie brews Coopers, VB, and Boag’s, for RMB20, plus meat pies and Australian music (6 PM to 1 AM).

Ned’s (map)

Happy hour all day long as well as drink specials. VB at RMB20, Foster’s at RMB15, and snags [sausages] at RMB10, plus the Triple J music countdown.

Mao Mao Chong (map)

Select cocktails, Boag’s, Redback, Cascade, and Bundy and Coke for RMB25.

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The translation…

“G’day fellow inmates [friends]! Get your yute warmers [asses; "yute" refers to "utility vehicle"] down to the Vegemite Triangle next Wednesday and go Irwin [go wild, like Aussie legend Steve Irwin]. It’ll be double dingo tickety boo [enjoyable; well, as enjoyable as two dingos can be]. More fun than going back door on a bilby gone boinkers [not sure about this one but it sounds illegal]. Gander at this map, this map, and this map so you don’t pull a Burke and Wills [two explorers who got lost in the Australian "outback" and died] and end up face down in some gutter with a platypus named Matilda [make a bad decision as to a potential mating partner]. And make sure to wear your koala beards [ear muffs] because it’s also going to be an eight dog night ["three dog night" means so cold you need to use several live animals as blankets; "eight dog night" is even colder". Didgeridoo! [w00t!]

Enter my Aussie slang contest here and win Australian wine and Austrian wine glasses.

I’m halfway done a post about how Danni Z and I went to Migas last week, tried the three-course set lunch for RMB85, and left not only with full tummies but also impressed at the good value. Now I find out Migas is offering a two-for-one lunch special until February 28! (Save for January 31 to February 9, when it is closed for Chinese New Year.)

If our meal was any indication–my appetizer was a large portion of foie gras, lamb carpaccio, and caramelized seeds that I spread on fresh bread; the main was sea bass and delicious–it would be hard to find better value in this city. And the menu changes every week so you won’t get bored. And the drinks are reasonably priced.

To take advantage of this offer, go to this page, print out the coupon, and head to Migas for lunch, Monday to Friday.

I had pretty much gone a decade without watching TV at home when DJ Chunky left me a DVD player during his exit from China early last fall. I have since watched ~60 movies and all or parts of more than a dozen TV series. And if I had to pick one thing to watch again, it would be the series Firefly (for more about this show, see here).

Good news if you are also a fan: there will be a Firefly get-together at The Loop this Sunday. The afternoon will include the streaming of a handful of episodes from 2 PM, along with some tonic (the place has a full bar) and vittles (pizzas, burgers, rice dishes, and the like). Join others in The Verse for what should be a very shiny time.

If you plan to attend, much appreciated if you let me know in the comments section or at beijingboyce (at) yahoo.com so the organizer has a rough idea of how many people to expect. You can find The Loop here.