The turkey has been purchased and is thawing, you managed to track down French fried onions for the green bean casserole, and against all odds, you even found cranberry sauce! There’s just one thing left to do – select the wine. If you’re like me and you enjoy a glass with dinner but have no idea what pairs well with what, this can be intimidating at best. Luckily, there are two local wine heroes who always make sure the vino is flowing and won’t break the bank. Claudia Masüger, founder of Beijing’s beloved Cheers Wine and Jacquelin, wine consultant for Ruche Falanghina Wine gave us their suggestions for enjoyable varietals that can be delivered in time for tomorrow’s dinner.

Budget bottles under RMB 100:

Jacquelin suggests the versatile Gran Sasso Sangiovese. “Sangiovese is one of Italy’s flagship wines, high acidity, dry but fruity, mid bodied, and approachable for most people. It goes with most poultry and side dishes.” At RMB 90 per bottle, it’s easy on the wallet and you can keep it flowing all night.

Meanwhile, Masüger suggests Gruener Veltliner, which is “perfectly fitting to roast turkey and all the trimmings. It’s Austria’s most popular white wine. Grüner Veltliner is dry, light, crispy, and beautiful.” At RMB 99 it’s a no-brainer for a white dinner wine.

Something special under RMB 300:

This limited edition Piero from Margaret River, West Australia is Jacquelin’s pick for a value splurge. “A James Halliday Red 5 star rated winery. Pierro LTCF is rated 95 points by James Halliday wine companion. Originally LTCF refers to ‘Little Touch of Cabernet Franc’ but the Christmas edition changed it to ‘Little Touch of Christmas Folly.’ This is a limited edition of only 2,400 bottles each vintage.” It’s described as an easy-drinking medium-bodied red that’s great with game meat like duck…or turkey! RMB 295 per bottle.

Lamartine AOC is the next pick from Cheers Wine. Masüger explains: “Classic French, Merlot-driven Bordeaux wine, medium-bodied with aromas of black currant and plums.” RMB 135 makes this an easy upgrade.

IYG (Impress Your Guests) high-value vintages:

Masüger raves about her final choice, Oscar. “My most favorite pick from our selection is this rich Spanish beauty. Oscar is a Tempranillo/Graciano blend, matured in French and Hungarian barrels for at least 24 months.” RMB 589

“Champagne goes with almost everything, it adds a festival atmosphere to any occasion,” Jacquelin told us. “1996 is an excellent vintage, and Dom Perignon, the world’s original Champagne, is arguably the best 1996 Champagne on the market. It is rated 98 points by Robert Parker and has numerous accolades.” It will cost you though. The market price in China is RMB 5,000-RMB 6,000

There is still time to place an order before Turkey Day. Scan the QR codes below to get your holiday vino needs met.

KEEP READING: Restaurant Quality Pumpkin Pie at Home, Courtesy of Hotel Jen’s Bakers

Images: Josephine, Cheers Wine

There’s always a bit of excitement whenever we hear about a good food supplier. “Really? You can get wagyu beef delivered to your house?” But in all actuality, getting restaurant-quality ingredients is surprisingly easy if you know where to look.

Here are just a few of the WeChat groups for wonderful suppliers, and their amazing deals.

Steaks Promotion

Trader Joe has weekly deals for carnivores. Each week he sends the group a package promotion, including a combo of popular cuts, and even some free cheese, olive oil, and seasoning now and again. I order from Trader Joe’s all the time. The steaks arrive still frozen the very next day via SF Express. This week’s latest promotion is five 200g black Angus grain-fed Sirloin plus 1kg grass-fed French lamb, five 150g corn-fed beef patties, and a free bottle of Spanish olive oil all for RMB 499. Time to get your beef on!

To join, add Trader Joe on WeChat: a664978432

Morgan’s Cheese and Wine Group

The name pretty much says it all: This is a group for wine and cheese lovers. Yusan shares wine and cheese deals with tasting notes throughout the week. Recently, they began adding cold cuts to their group as well. The latest promotion is for nine pieces of cheese including three 125g Camembert, one 125g brie, two 100g Danish Blue, one 150g Spanish goat cheese, and two 150g Manchego for RMB 376.20.

To join, add Yusan on WeChat: hhhhh1407

We Love Wine

Again, it’s all in the name! If you love drinking wine, then this group is for you. Jacquelin WinePimp sends out deals and pairing recommendations throughout the week. She also organizes wine tastings with friends, which she calls her WTF events. The next WTF tasting will be on Sep 11 and will feature an afternoon tasting of nine different wines plus nibbles and a buffet of cold cuts for RMB 290.

To join, add JacquelinWinePimp by scanning the QR code.

Always Fresh – Organic & Healthy

Always Fresh sends photos and promotions on a pretty regular basis, meaning it’s a great way to save on guaranteed organic fruits and veggies that are delivered straight to your door. Their latest promotion is for 2.5kg of grapes for RMB 98. They also organize monthly specials for weekly organic veggie deliveries.

To join, add Always Fresh on WeChat: YJSG201918

KEEP READING: Guide To Buying Organic Produce in Beijing

Images: Pexels, courtesy of group admins

Claudia Masüger is something rare and wonderful; a businessperson with a heart. Her upbeat positive attitude and sunny disposition belie a keen business sense. Much like Ching Shih, whom we profiled yesterday, she has built an empire from very little and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Let’s get to know this modern mogul and see what keeps her so “CHEERy”.

In 2008 Masüger arrived in Beijing with two suitcases filled with wine samples and a can-do attitude. She started a wholesale wine company called MQ wines and was doing well until her warehouse burned down in 2010. Most people would have said “Well that was an adventure,” cashed the insurance check and moved on, but Masüger is made of sterner stuff. Much like the proverbial phoenix, she rose out of the ashes of that fire, looked around, and saw an opportunity.

At the time wine was very expensive in China. So, in 2011 she decided to cut out the middlemen and sell high-quality wines directly from the vineyards in Europe to the Chinese consumer. CHEERS wine was born. In 2019 there were over 60 cheers locations offering fun, friendship, and of course, excellent wine. Like most businesses, Covid-19 hit the bottom line pretty hard in 2020 but Masüger again saw an opportunity and developed her delivery services. This expat is personally very grateful for the comfort that service provided during lockdown!

But her service to our community doesn’t limit itself to easy access at great prices, she is actively committed to training and promoting employees who otherwise might not have opportunities. She goes out of her way to mentor and promotes from within, giving people the gift of independence and self-respect as they build a life for themselves and their families.

Masüger is optimistic about the future. When talking about what she believes has made her successful and will continue to help CHEERS grow she says “Keeping an open heart, a clear mind, and busy hands.”

I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask this local business leader a few questions and I was struck by her passion. Not just for the wine itself, but the sense of community and the loving memories it can help to create.  In a world where we often feel disconnected, it’s clear she knows how to forge strong bonds. Below are her endearing and inspiring responses.

Jingkids (JK): Where did the idea for CHEERS come from?

Claudia Masüger (CM): In 2008 when I arrived in China, wines were overpriced and many of poor quality. Most young people didn’t know much about wine. My aim was, to introduce beautiful and affordable wines with lots of fun and education so that people love to explore the world of wine and enjoy a glass daily.

JK: Of all the countries in the world why did you want to set up a business in China?
CM: I was looking for a new adventure and China seemed difficult and challenging. I thought that was perfect for me.

JK:  People who love a challenge like you don’t normally rest on their laurels. What do you hope to accomplish next?
CM: Within China, we started to grow again after a tough 2020 and we now start to have a bigger footprint in other cities. Otherwise, we are in discussion with some partners to start CHEERS in other Asian countries. The O2O (online to offline) solution we offer with fast delivery is a popular business model these days.

JK: What advice do you have for young people who want to start their own businesses as you did?
CM:

• If you have an idea, get it started fast and learn on the way.
• Get a coach or mentor with experience, who will be your guide along the way.
• Watch your health, stay positive and keep smiling at all times, especially when it gets tough.

JK: You do a lot to give back to your community. Why is that important to you?
CM: Education is the only resource that expands when shared. Therefore, we like to provide education for our internal staff as well as for our extended community.

In a world full of online contacts, I believe that offline stores are still important. Some of our bigger stores have sitting spaces where people can meet new friends, taste new products and have a good time.

Finally, wine is the most romantic drink. It warms up your soul and makes you speak the truth.  We had many wedding proposals and loving birthday surprises in our stores. Our mission is to make people smile.

JK: You obviously really believe in people and are incredibly supportive of personal growth. What are some ways you encourage that in your employees?
CM: We embrace people who want to achieve something in life, no matter where they come from and who they are. If people are eager to develop, grow and learn, they are welcomed at CHEERS.

One of our heroes for example is Lulu who owns our store 17. He started working with us many years back as a delivery man, then made a successful career as a sales manager in our stores, and finally, he got his own franchise store. Through his determination and hard work, he runs one of our most successful stores and always has a smile ready for every customer.

You can help support this local business and enjoy the fermented fruits of Claudia’s labor delivered right to your door by scanning the QR Code.

KEEP READING: Mier Tang: Beijing Girl Takin’ Over The World

Images: Claudia Masuger

Beijing is a wonderful place to live… for the most part. If we are being honest with ourselves, living in Beijing, especially in the first few months after moving here, can be a bleak, waking nightmare. Okay, maybe not as bad, but it can be a little annoying or frustrating.

The issue of a language barrier aside, Beijing throws up a few barriers in the way of socializing. If you were once a social butterfly back in your home country, Beijing at first, tries to stamp it out of you by starving you of opportunities to be your best social self. People work incredibly long hours, Beijing itself is a mammoth city so even if you and your friend happen to be on the same schedule, you might not be in the same area code to take advantage of it.

That is, of course, assuming you have friends outside of your immediate family and Ayi. And no, your work colleagues who constantly drag you to drunken KTV nights don’t count. Until the gods of social luck smile on you, you might be stuck in the house ordering Waimai trying to think of ways to amuse yourself outside of a movie on Netflix.

However this city is bursting at the seams with places to go and things to do. Even though it might take a few tries, you are more than likely to find a tribe of sorts with similar interests, who can help you explore and expand your repertoire. Failing that, you can take the same approach that Nadia Learned and many other expats in the city have taken, and create your own.

Though frankly, if you have the winning combination of fine art and fine wine like Learned does, I struggle to imagine why you would wander elsewhere.

Learned is the mastermind behind Sip-N-Paint, a group of folks who gather together on a regular basis to chat, paint, and enjoy a glass of vino, with beautiful results at the end of the day. We spoke with Learned about how she combined her passion for painting with her love of fine wine, and fostered a tight-knit community in the process.

How long have you been in Beijing and what initially brought you here? 

This is my forth year in Beijing. I came here to teach art in one of the international schools.

What was the social scene like in Beijing for expats such as yourself? Was it easy to find social groups you could be a part of with people who shared the same interests as you?

Being an expat, a stranger, I found it was not easy to find a group of people who shared the same interests as me. It’s not the same as in your home country. Plus, most people who came here to work usually have no time to search. As a result, the circle of their communication is limited to the circle of their coworkers and having a beer on Friday nights is the only highlight of the week.

What was the initial inspiration behind Sip&Paint?

I think the initial inspiration behind Sip&Paint was the idea to create a place where expats could do something else.  It’s true that after a busy week, people want to relax. During the Sip&Paint event, people can relax, meet other people, have a glass of wine and create a painting.

How are you able to find the artists that you work with for your ‘social club’?

Since creating a painting is a guided, step-by-step process, everyone can succeed, without a need of having any  previous experience or an art background. And this is the beauty of it. People, who have never painted before, create a painting in three hours. It raises their self-esteem. I didn’t expect it to be quite so effective, but it really works as an art therapy of sorts. I am pleased to see when people are happy with their results and say how many positive emotions they are enjoying.

How has the group evolved between when it started and now?

We paint pictures by different artists, but the most popular [seems to be]paintings depicting China, and in particular, Beijing. This is understandable; people want to keep and want to memorialize the city in which they will spend a few years. Even though it’s not easy to paint architecture in three hours, we manage to get it done.

What sort of people attend the event?

These events attract a wide variety of people, mainly expats of various professions. Teachers and students, engineers and diplomats, stay-at-home moms and couples. This event is slowly becoming a place where they can all can connect and let their hair down.

Tell us a bit about the parent angle. How have you been able to open it up to kids and their parents and make it a family-oriented space?

Recently, more and more people ask if they can come with their children. Of course, three hours of painting is not an activity for younger children, but starting from 11 years old, it works to be an enjoyable activity. I have moms coming with their children, as well as entire families. I would say, that would be a place for parents to bond with their moody teenagers, but I will admit that is not always easy.

Photos: Courtesy of Nadia Learned 

The holiday season is almost here, and that means the time for dinner parties, weekend brunches, and just all-around get-togethers with friends. It’s always good to have a few bottles of your favorite wines stored at home for those last minute dinner parties and impromptu friends’ visits.

Carrying wine home from the store is so old-school. Check out these companies that have your holiday party beverages covered and sent directly to your doorstep.

Signature Wine Club

Their motto is “convenience, quality, value”. By becoming a member of Signature Wine Club you receive three different wines a month all year long, giving you interesting bottles to try from around the world. If you really like a particular wine, their website offers the option to reorder at a discounted members-only price.

http://www.sigwine.com/gold-and-silver/

China Wines and Spirits

China Wine and Spirits (CWS) is known for supplying wine to a number of hotels and restaurants in Beijing. What they’re lesser known for is their online WeChat shop that’ll ship directly to your house. With wines starting at less than RMB 100, they’ve got deals for parties of any budget. Scan the QR code below to browse through their online shop.

All In Wine

WeChat group All In Wine offers free shipping and weekly wine deals for its members. To be added in one of their wine deal groups, WeChat Fani (fanigurevich).

Cheers

Cheers makes you smile. With stores all over the county, Cheers is synonymous with vino loving for every budget. Their new WeChat MiniApp lets you browse through their extensive supply of wine that can be delivered to your doorstep in less than an hour. Perfect for house parties, Cheers is offering “buy 5 get 1 free’ deals as well as selected bottles this month.

Cheers is devoted to wine education and drinking for wine lovers of every budget. To stay up-to-date on their monthly offers and activities follow them on WeChat.

Photos: courtesy of vendors, unsplash

Come rain or shine, it’s always nice to have a place you can call your local where you can sip on your favorite adult beverage. Bars offering the latest on-trend craft beer are never too hard to find in Beijing, but those who prefer to mull over their day with a glass of vino may find it hard to find a place that is exclusively dedicated to providing respite for both the wine connoisseur and novice in this great city.

A nice selection of wine, consisting of French, Spanish, German, and Chinese

于是 (yú shì, “Thus”) by Cartelei is just that and for the more discerning of wine drinkers, this place is not only a lush and upscale haunt to try vino from vineyards far from these shores, but a place to enjoy the less appreciated and little known regional bottles of white or red wine made with selected grapes from the northern and southern provinces of China.

I’ve never been a fan of Chinese wine, but that said, I haven’t really tried enough to make an informed decision about the quality of what’s on offer. I’ve always been more inclined to choose something red and full-bodied on a wine menu and, when the occasion calls for it, something bubbly.

I went a little out of my comfort zone when visiting 于是 by Cartelei and decided to try something new. Nestled neatly in Central Park with a modern and stylish look and feel, this wine bar has carved out a unique place for itself by combining a teahouse concept by day with its ambient wine bar setting during the evening. Wines start at RMB 60 a glass and can be paired with a selection of classic and more unusually matched bar snacks.

Ice-cold, just as I like it

To start, I was served a glass of Bisol, Bel Star ice-cold Prosecco (RMB 78 per glass). Why is it important to mention the temperature of this bubbly beverage? This is the standard by which I first assess whether a bar is setting off on the right foot. There’s nothing worse than any bar serving you a room-temperature drink, unless of course it’s a glass of red. It’s not too difficult to find a decent Prosecco these days, and this one was perfectly balanced, slightly dry, and fruity.

Next came Tiansai, a white Chardonnay from Xinjiang Province in China (RMB 480 by the bottle). I’m more of a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio kind of momma, and although I’m certainly no connoisseur, I like to think that I know a thing or two about a decent glass of wine.  A Chardonnay is typically full-bodied and dry and is one of the most widely planted white wine grapes in the world. Flavors can range from buttery and rich to tart and zesty.

A good Chardonnay is perfect for drinking during the long summer months in Beijing and can also be paired with meaty fish and salty cheeses. A chardonnay should always be refreshing and robust, and I was pleasantly surprised that this bottle delivered.

As a nightcap I went to my staple, the Old Fashioned (RMB 110). I’m extremely fussy about how I take this cocktail and always enjoy it more if the mixologist goes heavy on the orange with a little sweetness to cut through the deep and hopefully heady notes of a good whiskey. The cocktail wasn’t made to these specifications but had the makings of a decent version of an Old Fashioned, if priced a little on the steep side.

Old Fashioned

The bar snack menu is in the middle of a transition and is being revamped for a launch next week. It’s always important that members of staff are knowledgeable about the entirety of their menu, from drinks to food, particularly if their price tag suggests that what they are offering is a premium product.

Canapés or tapas paired with alcoholic beverages are by far one of my favorite combinations and I always look to make sure that these are as described on the menu and of a high quality. Based on what I sampled, I agree with the need for the improvements that are currently being made, and I look forward to returning and enjoying a robust and flavorsome platter of yummy savory treats, but this time with a glass of red!

Mixed Platter, priced at RMB 88 

The owner, Leilei, truly has a passion for wine and has been successful in her endeavors to create an environment that reflects this passion, educates, and provides a beautiful setting in which to truly enjoy and appreciate good wine. This wine bar is a lovely place to enjoy a glass of vino after work, or to treat your loved one on date night. The bar also makes a good option for pre-dinner evening drinks. Private rooms are also available.

Happy hour is from 5.30pm – 8.30pm every day for all cocktails and house wines. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask staff to help you out, or even live on the wild side and ask to be surprised! Go check it out and see if this little hub has the potential to be called your local.

于是by Cartelei

Suite 101, Building 20, Central Park, 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang. 朝阳区朝外大街6号, 新城国际20号楼 1pm – 1am

On May 4, Beijing based book club Reading Between the Wines will be hosting an event which will feature a group of diverse authors. The twelve writers will discuss their work, sign copies of their books, and answer questions about the creative process and the journey from manuscript to published book. The event will also provide plenty of space for networking and early attendees will receive a free gift.

Kayla Brown is from the Bahamas and has lived in Beijing for two years. In addition to being the founder of Reading Between the Wines, Kayla is also in the third year of a university degree in medicine. We spoke with Kayla to learn more about the book club and the forthcoming event.

BJK: Why did you decide to start Reading Between the Wines?
Kayla Brown (KB): I was part of a book club at home which started off with a couple of ladies and myself. We just started discussing books that we had read. We all loved wine so it sounded like a good idea to add wine to it. When I moved to Beijing, I felt like books were missing from my life. It felt like there was something awesome that I had not found here. So I decided to bring the concept to Beijing and try to create the same experience I had back home.

BJK: How does the book club operate?
KB: Reading Between the Wines started about a year ago and it’s open to both men and women. I’ve hosted about eight events so far. We have a WeChat group and that’s where we decide which book we will read. There’s a month in between the meetings so we have time to read the book. For the past two meetings, we’ve met at this cool little restaurant with a meeting room. Wine is still a big part of it. I have a wines sponsor called Party Hard. They provide the wine each month. The meetings include interesting games, book-related trivia, and prizes.

I’m a student on a very demanding course and there are a lot of working people who are part of the book club. Not everyone has time to finish the book so I always stress that it’s not necessary to complete the whole book. That’s what makes it fun. I want people to know that reading isn’t something that is boring. Reading is cool; it’s not something that is of the past. Book clubs can be fun, it’s not just about sitting there with an open book and discussing the text word for word. Actually, in our book club, no reading takes place during the meetings.

BJK: Why should people attend the “Meet the Authors” event?
KB: It will give an opportunity for book lovers to come and purchase books and get the books signed by the authors. That’s a rare opportunity. Inspiring writers and authors can come and get their questions answered. People experiencing writer’s block can come and receive help with the writing process. They can also learn about how to get a book published. This event is a great chance to come and meet the literary community. And there will be free wine from the sponsors. It will be an educational experience for people interested in books and people interested in writing.

BJK: Tell me about the authors that will be participating in this event.
KB: We have a really assorted group of authors who are coming out. We have nine countries represented. There are a lot of interesting genres— poetry, humor, memoirs, self-help, and international relations.

BJK: What inspired you to organize this event?
KB: I’ve been toying around with writing a book. I have all these questions and I don’t have a mentor.

I thought I’m probably not the only one with these issues. So, I just decided to start asking around if my friends knew any authors in the Beijing area. From that, I learned that some of my friends were actually published authors and I didn’t even know it. People also began turning me to people outside of Beijing who were willing to travel in and share their knowledge. So it just turned into something much bigger than I expected. I was expecting to find just a few authors but now the event involves twelve authors which I think is amazing.

Book the Author, May 4
RMB 50. 6-9pm. Blue Marlin Bar and Restaurant. 蓝枪鱼西餐酒吧 北京朝阳区东三环北路4号 (WeChat ID: rbtw_beijing, kaylabrown_19@hotmail.com)

For more of Pamela’s writing about life in Beijing, visit her blog: www.itisreal.net
Photos: Courtesy of organizers, netherleechurch.org

There’s not much I find worthy of traveling outside a five-mile radius of my home for. When my husband and I arrange date nights, we usually factor in how long it will take us to get to our destination and more importantly, after a couple of glasses of vino or bubbles, how quickly can we return to the comfy cove that is our sofa and swoon over our sleeping baby.

Rive Gauche is worth that trip outside my date-night-circle-of-trust, and if you have a similar way of deciding on where you will dine out without the kids, then this place is worth ditching the ‘local rule’ for and venturing out into the central heart of the city that is Wangfujing.

A modern oasis awaits, featuring a brand new rooftop terrace, chic bar, and cozy dining area. The staff was attentive and friendly and after approaching the reservation desk with my name, we were whisked off to our seats without delay, offered the wine menu, and asked if we wanted our water with bubbles or without.

Executive Chef Ivan Miguez is the creator behind the fusion French concept that is Eive Gauche. His career has taken him from France, to London, to Shanghai and Mexico and his take on casual fine dining with a Bistro feel is a welcome addition to the foodie scene in Beijing.

To start we ordered a medley of appetizers, followed by some recommendations made by the chef. The Beef Marrow (RMB 98) with tendon crackling, parsley and charred slices of baguette was as indulgent as it sounds. Presented beautifully with robust and heady flavors, matched perfectly with a bottle of Francis Thienpont Bordeaux (RMB 580), this one was a winner.

If an egg appears anywhere on a menu, I’m all over it. The Organic Egg (RMB 98) with crab mushroom, toasted shards of baguette, and parsley, had a brunch-esque feel. Silky egg yolk spills over woody mushrooms, which can gorgeously dress the homemade bread brought to the table once your order is in. It will be easy to demolish the bread served with red onion and salty anchovy butters, but delay the carb fest for this treat and mop up all the yolky deliciousness with something warm and crispy. Add a little sea salt to mix to lift everything upwards. Heavenly.

The Scallops appetizer (RMB 156) was clean and crisp, and by far was one of my favorites of the evening. Little morsels of tender scallops are dressed in Ponzu (a soy-based sauce, traditionally made with citrus fruit, and sweet rice wine), seaweed and hazelnut. The flavors are sweet but slightly sharp with citrus and would be a great accompaniment to a dry and crisp white wine. The same goes for the cold Smoked and Cured Mackerel (RMB 98), served with passion fruit, sour cream, and mint oil, made during a 78-hour process, fresh on the premises. This is a distinguished dish, but needed another texture to take it to higher plains. I would have loved to eat this dish with shards of crispy mackerel skin and a glass of their finest white.

Cote de Boeuf (RMB 148 + 298 for 2), served with beef fries and Béarnaise Sauce, was nicely cooked. My preference was pink, no blood, and it was almost there. The portion was generous but could have packed more of a punch with the seasoning. We decided to partner our slab of meat with Roasted New Potatoes (RMB 68) and Broccolini with Coffee Butter (RMB 68). The sides delivered what it says on the tin, and although the coffee butter was a nice touch, we were expecting this dish to provide something more adventurous and potent.

I’m all about desserts. I like sweetness and stickiness and usually anything that oozes out of the center of something chocolaty and warm. By recommendation, we were presented with popcorn (RMB 68), consisting of a chocolate mousse, salted caramel, and you guessed it – popcorn. I love sweetness with saltiness and this dish could definitely dare to be more risky with this timeless partnership. The popping candy seems to be all the rage at the moment in desserts but I could do without the novelty. The ice cream (RMB 68) was a miss for me and tasted more like a palette cleanser rather than a sumptuous and sweet end to a meal. Next time, I’ll try the Tarte Tatin (RMB 68) served with salted caramel ice cream. Sounds right up my street.

Apart from the tableside decanted wine, this spot, as designed, is casual fine dining and a wonderful environment in which to have a date night. Bring out-of-town friends after a spot of shopping, or for a girls night out, and take up residence at the bar where they serve perfectly balanced coffee Martinis. Wash it down while taking in the city view from the rooftop terrace. Summer is here, and this place is designed for warm nights with friends or a loved one.

Rive Gauche
The Puxuan Hotel, 1 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District (10 5393 6688)information@thepuxuan.com(6.00pm – 10.00pm).

Photos: Nicole Bonnah, Rive Gauche Management

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s not much I find more decadent and sumptuously delicious any day or time of the week than a board laden with cheese and premium cold cuts, partnered with a good and generous pour of wine. You can then, of course, imagine my elation when I found out for as little as RMB 120 you can have your fill of free-flow wine and beer, cheese, olives, homemade breads, and cured meats four times a week at four different Annie’s and Ponte restaurant and bar locations across the city.

Fancy extending your weekend? You can enjoy real Italian Aperitivo from Wednesday to Saturday, to the background of live jazz! Last week, I enjoyed a Saturday night at Ponte in Lido. The service was exceptional, the free-flow generous, and all the edible offerings were of excellent quality. I was quite staggered by the generous portions of imported meats and cheeses, and my glass was never left empty for long.

The live jazz trio played a combination of dinner jazz classics along with more uptempo fusion blues and soulful melodies. The night was more than a Wine O’Clock session. The dimly-lit and intimate dining space, immaculately dressed staff and attentiveness bestowed upon each individual either dining alone or with friends created a wonderful atmosphere ripe for chatter, laughter and entertainment all in one.

Book your table now at either Annie’s, The Place on Wednesdays, Annie’s, Sanlitun on Thursdays, Annie’s, Sunshine 100 on Fridays or Ponte, Lido on Saturdays. Perfect for dinner dates or a night out with friends, but to be honest who needs an excuse to enjoy a cheese platter with wine?

RMB 120. 6.00pm – 9.00pm.  Annie’s, The Place, East of the Place, South of Central Park (010 8590 6428). Annie’s Sanlitun, China View Building (010 8587 1469). Annie’s Sunshine 100, Guanghua Lu (010 8589 8366). Ponte, Lido, 6 North Road, Zone 1, Block B (010 6591 1931).

Photos: Nicole Bonnah