Beijing Boyce

Is there a better-named bar in Beijing than Bang! Bang! to serve Dead Guy? It joins Kro’s Nest (Xiaoyun Road branch) and Grinders in stocking this beer.

As part of a promotional tour for the Chinese-language edition of his Australian Wine Annual, writer Jeremy Oliver will be at Pudao Wines from 3 PM to 5 PM on Saturday for a free tasting of eight Australian wines from d’Arenberg, Yalumba, Grosset, Hewitson, Moss Wood, Rockford, De Bortoli and Henschke.

Karl Long of Paddy O’Shea’s marks his 150th turn as quiz master on Wednesday night. He says attendees can expect special rounds, drinks and prices. Paddy’s will soon celebrate its fourth birthday, with the bash slated for December 9.

Last but not least, the Salt birthday bash last December ranked among the best parties I attended all year. This year’s bash is set for Thursday, with free-flow drinks and snacks from 7 PM to 10 PM and ticket proceeds going to UNICEF. Those tickets are rmb300 at the door (RSVP at 6437-8457 / info@saltrestaurantbeijing.com) or rmb250 ahead of time at Terra, Zest or Salt. (Given his dance interpretation of C+C Music Factory last year, there will be great pressure on Gordon Kutil of The Saddle to outdo that performance. Will he let the music take his soul, will he let the rhythm move him? That is the question.)

Word is Vics Lounge in China View will officially open on December 16 after several private warm-up parties over the next few weeks, although tonight I found  — after spotting the new sign from ground level and heading to floor 27 — the doors open. Expect a very different feel from the former Klubb Rouge, which my memory associates with 1930s Shanghai-style posters (though the models wore considerably less), candy apple red, and poor marketing.

The “public” areas of Vics Lounge offer dimmer lighting and a more subdued though still modern decor — from dark paneling, thick-padded sofas and walls covered with small wood tiles of many shapes, colors and depths upstairs to a prominent semi-circle bar, large open space, and funky chandeliers on the main floor. And there are those superb views of Workers Stadium and its surroundings.

At the north end, a sprawling upstairs private room fits with the vibe although it is flashier with its crystal accents and plush seating — it feels like it could morph from upscale afternoon teatime to after-work cocktail party to all-night whiskey and wine session. This area has a room for cigar smokers as well as private toilets with enough space for a threesome (no idea why I wrote that but just saying).

Re drinks, forget the [fill in the big-name Scotch] and green tea. The menu has good whiskey options (I saw Talisker 10 at rmb60), over a dozen beers, including Liefmann’s, Newcastle and Chti (all rmb50), and more. And the staff, including Alton (the project manager?), who spotted me wandering about and offered a tour, and Johnny, the manager, were friendly and professional.

This isn’t my type of hangout but I was impressed — from the decor to the menu — and look forward to seeing how well it works in practice. My guess: very.

Note: I have been calling the place Vics Lounge but I saw a sign for “Vics+“, or was it “V+“, so one of those might be the actual name. I’ll check on this…

See also: Somebody give me a smoke: The pre-openings of Klubb Rouge, China Doll

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The Peninsula Hotel chain will stop serving shark’s fin from January 1, save for events previously booked. In a press release, CEO K.M. Kwok of parent company Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels states: “As Asia’s oldest hotel company, we also hope that our decision will inspire other hospitality companies to do the same and that our industry will play a role in helping to preserve the bio-diversity of our oceans.” Steven Schwankert of Beijing-based scuba-diving company SinoScuba has been encouraging Beijing restaurants to drop shark’s fin for some time and lauded the move. He added: “If THE Asian hotel chain is willing to do this, what is anyone else’s reason for not doing so?”

Beer Mania will become a blend of wine mania and Beatlemania tonight. Starting at 6 PM, this Sanlitun South venue will have a tasting of over a dozen wines from distributor La Caumette, with snacks from new Sanlitun Soho bakery Amandine. At 9:30 PM, The Beijing Beatles will make their first visit since Beer Mania’s opening party. There will be a rmb20 deal on Sangria and wine during the night. (I might also have a pint of my current favorite: draft Chimay Red.)

Speaking of beer, the Xiao Yun Road branch of Kro’s Nest is the latest to get draft Dead Guy. A pint is rmb55 — or buy two and get one free during happy hour.

Ryan Johnston, part of the team that opened Shuangjing’s The Brick and later sold it to current owner Lee Mitchell, has a new project in the works: The Drive-Thru. The shop will include imported wine and beer for carry-out or delivery as well as everything from spices to scarves. Look for it to open just after the New Year.

Room Beijing will host a dinner on Sunday, December 4 to mark the upcoming Chinese edition of Jeremy Oliver’s 2012 Australian Wine Annual. Chef Brian McKenna is putting together the menu while Oliver will introduce the wines, which include labels like Yarrabank, Mount Langi, Tyrell, Yering Station, Henschke, Vasse Felix and Noble One, provided by local distributors The Wine Republic and Torres China. The five-course meal is rmb888 per person. RSVP at grm (at) room-beijing.com.

Finally, Alsace restaurant Tonton & Tata has closed in the B1 level of Sanlitun Soho. The equipment and furniture was being removed today…

Welcome to part thirty-two of the Must Tries Series, where I ask people working in the Beijing bar and restaurant business for the top picks from their menus. This time around we have Will Yorke from The Vineyard Cafe. Yorke is working on another yet-to-be-named establishment nearby, one that will focus primarily on English comfort food and beer, and hopes to have it open this weekend. For now, here are his picks.

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What is the “must try” food at The Vineyard Cafe?

Mediterranean Pizza: Pretty conservative name but about eight years ago I put roasted aubergine and courgette slices, feta, basil pesto, mozzarella and salami (pepperoni) on a thin crust pizza base with tomato sauce and I still love it, especially with Tabasco sauce.

What is the “must try” drink at The Vineyard Cafe?

We have been doing cocktail training at the Vineyard Café for the last few Mondays and someone asked about a kamikaze shot. We made one to see what is was about and discovered it was better as a cocktail in a martini glass, and there is a nice lime presence with the vodka, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and preserved lime juice mixed on ice. I think it is perfect to prevent scurvy. So much so that considering we thought the name kamikaze was really a crap name for a drink, and considering my training session on the treatment of scurvy in British naval recruits in 18th century Britain, which the staff attended with rapture, we decided to rechristen the drink “Limey Lady”.

What is the “must try” wine at The Vineyard Cafe?

Got in a nice new Albarino – very fresh. It’s like sticking your tongue in the Atlantic while facing a north-westerly breeze.

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

1. On my way home there is a Beijing Lu Zhu 卤煮 place which also does good La Mian 拉面 and 刀削面 Dao Xiao Mian (the knife cut noodles.) I am a big fan of Dao Xiao Mian. The vibe is interesting as it is a wide mix of mainly Beijing residents ranging from couples coming in to get to know each other over a bowl of soy sauce stewed inner bits and blue uniformed taxi drivers with the name of their company stitched on the chest thinning their blood with the unpeeled garlic bulbs on the table amongst the metal pot of chilly and jug of vinegar. 141 Bei Si Da Jie.

2. I really don’t get out much, but for a “Sichuan cuisine a’ la Beijing” option the No. 1 Wang Jing courtyard is always interesting. The 水煮鱼 fish in oil must have better options in the city, but in the warm period it is a place which is interesting because it is a slice of China embedded by a slip road on the east 5th ring road.

3. Many Monday evenings we are at our friend Toshi’s place “Suzumei”. I never used to eat raw fish before here, but I was enlightened here and their sashimi can be very satisfying for an essential oils fix.

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More than one hundred years ago, The Pilgrims drank all the ice tea in Boston Garden and began the American Revolution against the English Premier League led by Queen Victoria Beckham I (the original Victoria, not the one married to affaminate soccer guy). After months of fighting at Trafalger Square, Applematics and Ewah Jima, The Pilgrims plus their partners The Indians, who are named after a baseball team in Cleveland of all things (!), beat the English and made the United States of America. The Founder Fathers chose Alicia Scott Keyes to write the Star Spangul Banner and said every November that all people should eat a turkey — maybe there was a special on birds back then at Yee Olde Wall Mart, ha ha. Now Americans everywhere do this, even in China, such as Joseph Stillwell (saw it on Discovery Channel), Stephen Marberry and Da Shan. By the way, my friend Pong  says Da Shan should call himself Da Niao today, because that means Big Bird, like a turkey, ha ha…*

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OK, now that the contrasting effects of three coffees and a double-shot of Nyquill have dissipated, here a few places to get some turkey today — I basically combed through my email to get these. Sorry for the lateness — busy, busy of late.

Salt still has seats left for its second sitting tonight — 8:30 PM. The five-course meal (rmb368) includes three appetizers, including one with roast pumpkin and pine nut foam, ginger, pears and more, three mains options — roast turkey, salmon or scallop, red wine and mushroom risotto, and a choice of desserts, including roast apple tart with walnut ice cream. RSVP at 6437-8457.

Maison Boulud has a turkey dinner for rmb561 from 6 PM to 10 PM. RSVP with Nicolas at nicolas.socquet@maisonboulud.

And Cheese and Wine is recommending Camille Giroud Pinot Noir 2007 and Chateau Cambon La Pelouze Haut-Medoc 2006 with your roast turkey.

I’m feeling pretty lazy so this might be a Turkey Reuben might at Union Bar & Grille. With a side of cranberry vodkas…

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* Please blame any inaccuracies in the above history to the Canadian school system.

Manhattan, manicure and massage joint Frost should open Saturday, close to April Gourmet near Workers Stadium, though the official launch is December 1. Frost is a narrow venue with four chairs for manicures at one end, an L-shaped lounge area at the other, and a bar and table seating between. There is a separate room for massages. A tight but well-organized fit.

Expect draft Vedett and De Konnick, bottled beer, six wines by the glass,  and a cocktail lineup that includes house drink The Frosty Nail (I’m pretty sure you’ll also be able to get a Rusty Nail). As for food, patrons can get desserts, including cupcakes from Lollipop, or order 12-inch pizzas from Kro’s Nest [last part still to be confirmed. Ed]. Co-owner Jeff Powell says come spring, he will set up several tables and a BBQ out front for those who want a burger with their buff.

On the way to Frost, I passed Argana, where the facade also includes signs for Escobar and Casablanca, to see what is going on. (I haven’t been since the opening of Stallion upstairs.) This appears to be the deal: Upstairs is now Casablanca, which took over from Stallion, though it looks like the preferred pickup scheme has switched from guy-guy to guy-girl given a tagline on the business card that reads, “Let Jack shall meet Jill“. Downstairs, it is still Argana. Until 10 PM. When it becomes Escobar. Which is oriented more to drinks than Argana. Got it?

Finally, 12SQM will hold a whiskey tasting on Friday at 8:30 PM, led by Paul Mathew, who many people know from his cocktails at Flamme. The lineup includes Hohnnie Walker Black, Talisker 10, Balvenie 12, Singleton 12, Laphroaig 10, Jameson, Wild Turkey and  Templeton Rye. The fee is rmb350 if you want a shot of each or rmb175 for half shots. That’s one whiskey per 1.5 square meters. Why not just up to a dozen for a 1:1 ratio…

Yu is new.

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Bar options are popping up in Sanlitun Soho but it remains to be seen how long it will take drinkers to follow given that the likes of Titanium and V Bar tend to be sparsely populated whenever I pass by. The newest tenant is Yu Wine and Music on the outward west side of the complex. Yu offers sufficient hardware, from a first floor with a faux brick facade bar, DJ booth and table seating to a second floor accessible via a spiral stairwell. The drinks menu is ho-hum, with five beer options, from Carlsberg at rmb30 to Erdinger at rmb50, and cocktails starting at rmb48, though I assume “Whiskey Acid” means “Whiskey Sour”.

iXiao and I were the only patrons on a recent Sunday visit, not the best circumstances for getting a feel for a place, though the continued use of a disco ball and strobe lights in an empty bar and a song list packed with overplayed pop music — I define “overplayed” as when I know the name and singer of every tune — had me thinking of this as an upscale Kai Club or Baby Oh. I’ll reserve judgment until I can make a few more visits, hopefully starting this weekend, and learn more about what “wine” in Yu’s name entails.

A short walk away, Lounge has opened on the second floor of Taiyue Suites on Sanlitun South, in the building that is also home to Beer Mania, pickup joint Yes Club, Japanese-style cocktail bar Glen and restaurant Oden, among other spots. The design follows the well-used technique of painting — in this case white — the ceiling and any pipes, wires and whatnot hanging from it. That white theme extends to the walls and sparse furnishings, with the result that it reminds me a bit of Ssam Korean restaurant. A pair of semi-private areas near the windows offer a warmer vibe and can each fit about a dozen patrons. There are but four beers on the menu (we had Budweiser, rmb30 per bottle) as well as a range of cocktails and a wine list heavy on French options. Not particularly inspiring given the likes of Glen down the hall but this place might serve for events or as a pit stop on the way to Yes or other venues.

Speaking of lounges, the new Blue Frog across from Party World at Chaoyangmen has more of that feel than does its sibling at Swire Village South. The atmosphere is a bit airier and the fit a bit looser at this L-shaped venue dominated by seating options for two to four and a long bar that sits about a dozen. Expect the same menus and specials, including Burger Burger Mondays. I had the chicken burger last night, and while it wasn’t as spicy as the one at Sanlitun, I can’t quibble with the quality. Blue Frog is open from 10 AM to midnight, soon to be extended to 2 AM, and is accessible via the mall and a dedicated door on the east side. The only major downside was the annoyingly bright SONY sign just outside the windows, the equivalent here I guess of that hellish Apple logo at Swire Village.

Finally, the Smoky Martini at Twilight ranks among my favorite cocktails in Beijing. Now Motonari Uchiyama, Daisuke Onishi and the team are adding a new version. This time around, the guys are using their beloved Laphroaig with Botanist gin and Nolly Prat vermouth. The garnish is olives stuffed with smoked salmon, dill and capers. Though I lean toward the first recipe, I wouldn’t say no to one of these…

Plenty of renovations on the top floor of Swire’s Sanlitun Village South as several venues have closed and new ones are slated to open. Word is the former “fondue” spot will be replaced by a branch of Taiwanese restaurant Bellagio while the former Club Le Zazou, which later went by the names Club Le and G-Loft, will be split between Shanghainese and Italian restaurants — the entire club space has been gutted and, at least on the west side, the upper floor removed.

Meanwhile, a sign is up for “Yun Lounge” on that so-far-empty fourth floor space that straddles the top of Hatsune and Element Fresh. The signs indicate the operation is by Yunnan restaurant chain Middle 8th. And early work reveals three small private rooms, a large private one, an open space with a bar, and a deck on the west side.

Finally, the former Toni & Guy space beside Element Fresh is also under renovations and will reopen as, well, I have no idea. Given the success of Element Fresh, perhaps it — as one observer suggests — will expand into that space.

The big kahuna tuna, er, haddock has gone belly up, is done like dinner, has made The Final Swim to Davey Jones locker, is, well, let’s just say it is closed. Since that’s about as clear as the waters of Houhai, let me put it this way: Lido residents have said bye to Big Boss Fish and Chips and, if the renovations inside and new sign outside are any indication, hi to Holy Fries, the Wudaokou spot known for its chips and sausages. This would be the second spot with Wudaokou ties to recently open up  Lido, as Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory — just around the corner — has links to Lush.

Speaking of Lido and pizza, The Irish Volunteer, on the verge of celebrating its third anniversary, has introduced several new pies, including a “Canadian” one with bacon and sausage. (What no moose?)

And Moment Cafe in Sanliun Soho has added a winter menu that includes three pastas from rmb46, three hot drinks from rmb30 (mulled wine is rmb40), chocolate souffle, and a new sandwich, the Cacciatore, which includes ham, salami, cheese, pickles, and a BBQ mayonaisse spread on Ciabbata bread for rmb49.

(Hat tip to Mr Miyagi)

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I’m in Qingdao for the day so just a few quick sips and bites before I get some draft beer straight from the source.

Look for the team behind The Vineyard Cafe to open a second venue just up the street, with a planned launch date of Thursday. Called The Arrow Factory, it will focus on beer, with Asahi and Kilkenny on tap, and comfort food from England, such as fish and chips and steak and kidney pie, says Will Yorke. There will also be about a dozen wines and customers can order ahead for items such as roast leg of lam. Expect a venue that is smaller and cozier than The Vineyard.

George’s bar has live jazz and blues on Thursdays from 10 PM. The past two Thursdays have featured Music Soulz and Tavey and the Suggestions. George’s also has an excellen buy one, get one martini deal on Wednesdays.

Kro’s Nest and Dxcel are hosting the distiller from High West on Sunday at 6 PM at the Xiaoyun Road branch. For rmb198, attendees get four whiskey samples and, if ordering a medium or large pizza afterwards, a free appetizer. Book a spot by contacting Johannes 13520-972-745 or jr.krosnest@gmail.com.

Cheese and Wine will have Duval-Leroy Champagne at rmb495 per bottle from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Buy six bottles, get one bottle and four Champagne flutes free.

I don’t know what the marketing team at The Hilton is eating for breakfast but it seems to given them the energy to put on a steady stream of fun events. One week after last Saturday’s massive Food & Wine Experience, the hotel is hosting the ‘Charity Brawl‘, which pairs black belts and black ties. The night includes the fights plus a four-course meal paired with 1421 wines. Ringside seats are gone but other tickets are available at 5865-5120.

Finally, this year’s Beijing “Santacon” , which sees people dress as The Man in Red or his posse (elves) and go on a pub crawl, is set for December 10. Get more info here. (And my post on last year’s event here.)

(Hat tips to Betty, AGM, BH and JK.)

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Good news for fans of the Carnegie’s bars in Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth, or even of the former Browns in Beijing, which pretty much started off as a Carnegie’s knock-off. A new branch is slated to open next Tuesday in Qingdao. True, if you live in Beijing, that is not exactly convenient, although last night I raised the idea with Red Star media and the guys at Carnegie’s in Qingdao about the idea of renting a bus and doing a tour from the capital to the coast (more on this to come). But it does mean that Carnegie’s is expanding and word is Beijing is among the possible venues for a bar.

By the way, the Qingdao branch will feature much the same menu as its siblings, including a wide range of pub grub and that list of 366 shooters. It’ll also have Stella and Strongbow on tap, which apparently are rare in Qingdao. The space measures 500 square meters, with a long bar, a raised area with sofas, and a semi-private second floor room with its own bar. Should be fun…

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Just in case you have an extra gym bag of cash and a penchant for single malts, you can put that money to use at The Malt, a new whiskey bar recently opened beside the BTV building near Jianwai Soho. A bottle of The Macallan 55 Year Old will cost you rmb500,000, with shots at rmb30,000. Those on a budget might instead order a bottle of Glenlivet 1937 at RMB180,000*.  (I have been lucky enough to try single malt almost that old though novelty is what most makes it special. I could keep myself happily drinking good whiskey for years for the price of one of those bottles.)

While it is fun to see such oldies but — at least on my budget — out of reachies, it is happy news that this place has more than 50 single malts priced at less than rmb100 per pour. I had the Caol Ila 1998 pictured above for rmb98. The options start, if memory serves, from ~rmb60 and there is a good range of single malts priced from rmb100 to a few thousand renminbi. I also liked that the accompanying water wasn’t simply poured from a bottle of Nongfu but that the owners seem to be interested in whiskey and to consider such details.

As for decor, while I expected the usual dim lighting-dark paneling combo, The Malt was brighter, with one decor touch being colorful but muted tiles, and it came off less as stuffy and more as modern. I only made a brief stop, after hearing about the bar while trying the new smoky martini at Twilight (more coming on this), but will be back soon for another look.

Note: I was fortunate to be at the bar when one of the owners doled out samples of the Yamazaki 1993 pictured above. A nice whiskey for those who like it fruity.

* I’m guessing those prices are negotiable.

And I liked that, when one of the owners suggesting adding a few drops, they didn’t pull out a bottle of Nongfu, as I’ve seen at some places but had thought about such details ahead of time.

Smoke on the water, er, rum...

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Beijing was The Wild East recently as both Paul Mathew and Laurent Greco drew their smoke guns. (As opposed to Home Plate’s Seth Grossman and Adam Murray, who always have their smoker ready.) Anyway, Mathew had his out of the holster at Flamme and immolated upwards of a dozen items, including mint tea and powdered coffee, with the resulting smoke used to infuse everything from rum to wine. My smell scorecard went something like this: smoke, smoke, smoke, mint-flavored smoke, smoke, smoke, rose-flavored smoke, smoke and smoke. Even the raspberry tea I brought from home smelled, after it went through the gun, like… smoke. No raspberry. Not exactly shocking, I guess, but I did expect more of an “incense” experience.

The two drinks I found most intriguing:

• Hendrick’s gin martini with rose tea smoke, given the spirit has some rose flavor to begin with that the smoke actually smelled had some floral aromas.
• Fighting Cock Bourbon with Earl Grey tea smoke, which initially had a harsh smell but mellowed to more of a slightly burnt caramel aroma.

In any case, when it comes to the senses, the smoke gun seems to appeal less to smell and taste, and more – given the reaction of people at the bar – to sight. People found it entertaining and thus made this gun – ahem – a real draw.

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One of my favorite days of the year is whenever the annual Hilton Beijing Food & Wine Experience is held. In the case of 2011, that means tomorrow. Not only can I sample with friends from among more than 1000 wines but also I can try some of the better Chinese wines. At least five times a week, someone asks me, “Is there any good Chinese wine”? Tomorrow’s event is the chance to decide for yourself, since it will have the best lineup I’ve seen so far, including Grace Vineyard, Silver Heights, Domaine Helan Mountain, Sunshine Valley and 1421.

I’ll be at the Hilton all day tomorrow — I’ll either be wearing my tribute-t0-car-salesmen gold jacket or my so-beloved-I-can’t-throw-it-out burgundy polo shirt in case anyone wants to say hi and try a few wines together. (Feel free to wear unfashionable gold and red clothing of your own.)

Details: The fourteenth annual Food & Wine Experience by the Hilton Beijing is called Vinopolitan. The rmb180 tickets get you access to more than a thousand wines as well as snacks. The rmb260 ticket, if there are any left, includes a three-course set meal at One East or the buffet at Elements. You can get tickets in the lobby of the Beijing Hilton (the same place where Charity Brawl tickets are available) or from Send Me Tickets.

In a rush, so just a few quickies this week…

Gung Ho is now open in Lido, with delivery as of Wednesday. One incoming SMS gave some love to the new crust: “[The] crust is more substantial and so it holds up over a long conversation better.” The Lido delivery number is 5135-8557.

Pizza by LM Plus is doing brisk business in Central Park. Yesterday, I tried the Napoletana (rmb62), with capers and anchovies, and enjoyed the sauce and crust. With good service and a decent American coffee at rmb15, this place could teach some lessons to nearby places such as…

Milano Cafe, a few doors down, which recently had its official opening. I can live with the staff not knowing where the sockets are or even what an American coffee is as it is early days. But having an employee and a patron (?) playing a video on a laptop so loud it drowned out the music, and even leaving it on while they went outside, well, that was enough to make me skip plans to try the food. Not a good first impression.

Meanwhile, next door in The Office Park, Pudao Wines is out of the hard-to-find Jia Bei Lan 2009, the new darling of the Chinese wine scene after performing so well in the Decanter world wine awards. But for those who want to try some local wines by the glass, it still has Domaine Helan Mountain in Ningxia and Grace Vineyard in Shanxi.

New restaurant Starfish will have a seafood workshop with Qingdao oyster farmer Liu Xin from 3 to 5 PM on Saturday. For rmb298, you get all the oysters you can open. RSVP essential: email alisha@starfishbeijing.com to book a space.

I’ll have more early next week, including details on our Grape Wall Challenge at Modo last Tuesday…

Two great leaps forward, one great leap backward? That might be the case for Great Leap Brewery, which became a quick success when it launched just over a year ago, expanded its reach by supplying beer to a handful of Beijing bars, and now, says a source at the operation, must remove its taps from those same spots due to regulations.

The source says the city rejected Great Leap’s application for a distribution license. With distribution defined as selling outside a production facility, that greatly complicates things given Great Leap just saw a major expansion with the opening of its brewery at the Great Wall. At the very least, it means a pullback while a new effort is made to get that license.

Fans can get a final pint or two at spots such as Paddy O’Shea’s, The Brick or Black Sun Bar while stock remains. They can also continue to sip their suds at Great Leap’s original hutong location just off Nanluoguxiang, where it is business as usual. And word has it the team is planning to open a second spot within city limits.

Note: Great Leap will switch to its winter hours as of next week. That means Thursday through Saturday, 3 PM to midnight, and Sunday, 3 PM o 8 PM.

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Organic food freaks should check out Rug Bagels and Cafe, recently opened by Aden Chang and Gordon Chan just inside the gate of Li Shui Garden, across from Chaoyang Park south gate and beside the Palm Springs apartment complex. This place is open and airy, though a bit chilly near the windows, and should appeal to a diverse clientele, from couples seeking a casual place to talk to parents grabbing a bite with the kids to members of the laptop tribe in need of a spot to work. The menu includes bagels, pastas and salads. The eats do not come cheap, with bagel sandwiches from rmb58, but Chang says Rug uses as many “organic” ingredients as possible. I visited last Sunday and tried the eggs Benedict bagel (rmb78, includes a coffee). The hollandaise sauce was made upon order and the sandwich came out fresh, with a side salad, though the tomato was a bit green for my taste. Rug can seat about 70 people and is available for private events. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and until 11 PM on Sunday. You can reach Rug by calling 8550-2722.

(Hat tip to Betty)

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Look for husband-and-wife team Jeff and Sherry Powell to launch a venue that combines cocktail bar with nail salon. Called Frost, the 100-square meter is slated to open on November 26 across from the April Gourmet shop near Workers Stadium, with an official launch to come in early December.

Powell, known for his work in the kitchen at spots such as Flamme, Element Fresh, Gung Ho and Kro’s Nest, says Frost will have cocktails, draft beer, a modest pub grub menu, and desserts, including cupcakes from Lollipop Bakery. I imagine bartender Paul Mathew, who with Powell was part of the team that opened Flamme, to provide some assistance on the drinks side.

In any case, this is one place where you can get completely cut while receiving cuticle care, daily from 11 AM. Frosted nails, frosted beer, frosted cupcakes, frosted hot dogs — this place has a name that fits.

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Update III: Just in contact with the Pomme O’Shea’s team: Closing party going on now (I’m posting at 2:30 PM on Saturday), with rmb200 all-you-can-drink deal and pizzas on sale.

Update II: Word from management is there will be a rmb200 “drink the bar dry” party from 3 PM tomorrow. Again, as noted below, that might depend on what happens tonight so I will update tomorrow.

Update: This might be the last night. Management says they’ll send me an SMS later on as to whether there will be a closing party tomorrow.

Management at Pomme O’Shea’s, formerly known as The Pomegranate and Zhang’s, says the veteran Shunyi-based bar faces demolition as early as November 10. From an email from management:

Another sad Beijing story of getting rid of the old to make way for the new: Our bar in Bai Xin Zhuang Village is coming under the wrecking ball along with the hutong village surrounding it to make way for yet another “luxury compound”.

This courtyard bar with its original style and artwork is one of the few places in Shunyi that resemble “Old China”. It is surrounded by international schools, new developments, million-dollar housing–it is one place that when people that move to Shunyi they can see what China used to look like.

The management states that it was recently assured no demolition would occur and thus the notice came suddenly. “They have informed us they will close our doors tonight and will lock us out of our bar but we shall not be moved!”

The email adds that a goodbye party is planned either from 5 to 7 PM (according to this invite) or from 7 PM tomorrow (according to the email). That might depend on what happens tonight so I will post an update on the situation tomorrow.

I didn’t make it to Pomme O’Shea’s often but did enjoy my visits, especially for the annual Rynostock festival or for a few drinks after the annual chili cook-off held in Shunyi. My first visit was in late 2005 or early 2006, when the place had one beer on tap. That summer, it added a 42-inch screen. Then came the biltong, the Paddy O’Shea’s crew, and the name change to Pomme O’Shea’s. This place had a remarkably long run in an area of Beijing not known for its bars.

There are still seats available at Fuel, Karaiya, Oden, Room and Temple Restaurant for tomorrow night’s Chifan for Charity. This year’s event will include more than three dozen restaurants, with seats priced from rmb500 to rmb1500 (including entrance to the after-party at Hatsune), and will support New Hope Foundation and Bethel Foundation. For seat availability, see here.

Vinopolitan, the title of the fourteenth annual Food & Wine Experience by the Hilton Beijing, is just over a week away. This is the grandma’s grandma of wine fairs in Beijing. The rmb180 tickets get you access to more than a thousand wines as well as snacks. The rmb260 ticket, and if memory serves there are only about 400 of them, also includes a three-course set meal at One East or the buffet at Elements. I will have more on the distributors and wines involved this year, including the Chinese brands participating. In the meantime, you can get tickets in the lobby of the Beijing Hilton (the same place where Charity Brawl tickets are available) or from Send Me Tickets.

And it will soon be time to mark one of the French wine industry’s biggest marketing successes — the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau. Expect plenty of parties, with Enoterra getting its promotional campaign started early — you can get Beaujolais Nouveau at rmb250 per bottle, with free snacks, on November 17. I’ll work on putting together a list of parties.