Wining and dealing
By Massimo Masili of Italian restaurant L'Isola in the Pacific Century building plans to open an eatery called LM Club in the Central Park complex this month. LM is long and narrow with seating for about 30 as well as a wine "cellar" that can hold a dozen tasters. Masili said it will be open from breakfast - expect cappuccino and croissants - with a menu that includes pastas at 30 yuan to 40 yuan and plenty of Italian wine.
Best known for his years at Middle Eastern-themed lounge Souk on Chaoyang Park West and more recently for the World Cup beer patio at Uama Teppanyaki on Workers' Stadium East, Robin Howlett said he will soon open a venue called Bang! Bang! in Shuangjing. It will focus on pizza and join the growing number of Western bars and restaurants in the area, including The Brick, Lily's, and Unconditional Love Coffee.
Following upon the recent departure of Garden Books, Sequoia Café will close its Guanghua Road branch Friday as the building converts into a Brazilian theme complete with BBQ restaurant. Over the years, the building has also been home to John Bull Pub, Tim's Texas BBQ, and Culinary Capers, as well as dozens of wine, whiskey, and tequila tastings. Owned by Frank and Jennifer Siegel, Sequoia will continue with deliveries and to serve customers at its nearby Kerry Centre outlet.
Grace Vineyard has released a second vintage of the "Symphony Series" Muscat it makes in collaboration with Torres winery of Spain. Built in Shanxi in the late 90s, family-owned Grace is the rare Chinese operation with a portfolio of consistently decent wines. Its products are listed at top restaurants and five-star hotels in Beijing. Last Friday, CEO Judy Leissner unveiled the Muscat as well as the 2008 Chairman's Reserve, Deep Blue, and Tasya's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines during a tasting organized by Torres China at Hua's Restaurant near Ghost Street.
It's Muller time at Café Bellissimo and Swiss Bar and Restaurant in Solana. Not only do these two relative newcomers offer a good mix of food choices, reasonable prices, and cool design, they are also Beijing's first venues with draft Muller beer from Switzerland. The lager is priced from 48 yuan for 400 ml to 98 yuan for one liter. Nine kinds of Flensburger beer from Germany and Schutzengarten beer from Switzerland are also available.
Fubar has called a halt to its first-of-the-month one-kuai cocktail events. The finale last week saw the unveiling of the bar's new design, two hours of high-octane drinks, and a rowdy night that went awry when one customer received a special treat known as A Kick in the Head. Let's hope that one doesn't become a menu regular. Irish sports bar Paddy O'Shea's will switch to American football for at least a day when it hosts cheerleaders from the San Diego Chargers this Sunday from 7 to 9 pm. The restaurant portion of Spanish-themed project Migas in Nali Patio is now open, joining the superb rooftop. Upscale Maizidian restaurant The River Club, which includes backing from Carlo and Marco Sacco of highly regarded restaurant Piccolo Lago in Italy, is offering set menus from 486 yuan. Irresistible Café in Mao'er Hutong is holding its second Czech dinner - it includes Budvar beer, stew, salad, two desserts, and more - for 80 yuan this Wednesday. And Nanluoguxiang bar 12SQM celebrated its third birthday with 15 yuan Coopers beers last Saturday. This bar - as well as The Brick in the Shuangjing area - is up for sale.