Beijing Boyce

Thanks to 8 Songs — who shall some day get his repertoire of KTV songs up to nine — for this write-up about Nasca Cafe (map).

“The south end of Central Park is home to several nice little cafes and restaurants, including Pekotan (map) and Livewell (map). Main Street Café wasn’t one of them, and having opened late last year, closed for two weeks for “renovations.” It never re-opened, which was just as well. Some six months later, locals watched as a new café took its place. It seemed to take months to get into operation, but now that it is open, it’s a regular spot for many in the area.

“Nasca (an unusual name, reminiscent of the NASCAR racing in the USA) offers something for everybody. It has an extensive breakfast menu, and makes a good range of coffee for heart starters. During the day it has a nice offering of foods for lunch, though the range of cakes and pastries is limited. But it is at night when Nasca really shines, especially for local families. The menu offers everything from simple snacks to full meals, pastas, pizzas and a reasonable selection of kids’ meals.

“It also has a bar area for a late-night drink.

“Probably that is its only weakness – it tries to be all things to all people.

“I walk past it every day on my way to and from work, and it always seems to be at least part full. That is saying something, when there are so many choices so close.

What’s with the RMB75+ hamburger trend in the Sanlitun area these days? Is it sustainable? Who has the patty power: Let’s Burger (RMB48+, no fries), Blue Frog (RMB75), and Union Bar & Grill (RMB86), or Luga’s, The Den, and The Rickshaw (all RMB35-40)? Or should I just go to Le Petit Gourmand and have a nice roast beef on baguette, with fries and salad (RMB35)? Questions, questions…

An Italian joint called Frantoi Celleti is slated to open this weekend in Sanlitun South, next to Tun (accessible by that side street near Pink Loft). Billing itself as an “oil bar, restaurant, and cafe,” this place seats 120+ and offers high ceilings, elegant matte black furniture, a wood-fired pizza oven, and displays of olive grinders and grape presses. Expect a heavy emphasis – including tastings – on olive oil. I’ll have more on this place shortly.

Speaking of Tun, word has it that ladies drink for free from 8-11 PM tomorrow (Friday) night.

Pekotan (Central Park) offers good ambiance and a nice selection of buffet items at lunch, but is a case study in inefficiency. Watching the staff continually drag out and return food containers to the display case is annoying, both because it is time-consuming and it makes it hard to see what’s on offer. Why can’t they simply just scope the items from the display case?

The chill in the air reminds that opportunities for outdoor imbibing are dwindling. It’s nearly last call for patios, decks, and balconies at The Boat, The Stone Boat, Pavillion, Kokomo, et al.