The Place
Having just opened in mid-December in the new Henghsan 8 lifestyle development, Mozzarella e Vino is a neighborhood European bistro focused on – as the name suggests – all things cheese and wine.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Behind the new venue is Dr. Cheese, a local Chinese cheese brand venturing for the first time into the restaurant space. The company launched in 2019, led by Jason Chen, the previous GM of DMK – a large German dairy brand – with a focus on importing cheese from Holland.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The company currently focuses on making soft cheeses that are used in many of the restaurant’s recipes, plus working with distributors to import a variety of hard cheeses, the mix of which are featured on the restaurant’s menu, particularly on the abundant charcuterie and cheese boards (and even expanding into Gruyere cheese coffee).
In short, Mozzarella e Vino is the place for cheese lovers, by cheese lovers.
The Food
Featuring a mozzarella and burrata branded Milky Lab molding machine from Modena – an Italian gastronomic capital – this is the first restaurant in China offering freshly made-in-house daily soft cheeses, a signature of Mozzarella e Vino.
The cheese counter also displays the likes of 60 imported and local cheese, including Brie, Mimolette, Manchego, Emmental and Comté – to name a few – as well as 20 different cold cut selections.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Between the brunch and dinner menu, there are nearly 50 dishes, spanning pan-Western European style breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks and dinner. But don’t be intimidated; only about 25% of the offerings include cheese, so you don’t have to bust out the stretchy pants for each meal.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Another menu staple, the Dutch Baby Pancakes (RMB68-78), are offered with a variety of sweet and savory toppings, plus a featured cheese.
From house-made Bolognese sauce paired with velvety Fromage Blanc cheese from Isigny, France; to mushrooms, chicken and cream topped with a mini brie; to mixed berries and Nutella with cream cheese, there’s a hot skillet Dutch Baby for everyone.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The made-daily burrata is a must-order, a Pugliese Italian style fresh mozzarella cheese filled with cream-soaked stratcciatella.
We recommend the Energy Fruit Burrata Cheese (RMB88) with a forest berry blend of blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, along with tart cherry tomatoes and citrus sections. The fruits and cheese sit on a bed of mixed greens, all drizzled with a balsamic vinegar reduction.
Other burrata selections include mixed mushrooms and Mimolette cheese, or Coppa ham with figs, strawberries and mixed nuts.
Coming soon, they will also start to make flavor-filled burrata, the first restaurant in China to do so. Expect fun options like strawberry-stuffed burrata, rosemary burrata and truffle burrata.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The expanding snacks selection hosts ideal sharing options for day into night, especially the Venetian Beef Carpaccio (RMB98). Fanned out across a shmear of truffle mayonnaise, the melt-in-your mouth beef is adorned with a Tete de Moine cheese flower, plus arugula, caper berries, sweet pickled chilis and a balsamic glaze.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Mains span Milanese Roasted Chicken (RMB178), M3+ Australian Beef Ribeye (RMB398), Napolitan Pizza (RMB188) and pasta dishes, like the comforting bowl of Tuscany Pulled Beef Pappardelle (RMB98). Thick chunks of pulled beef are interspersed with roasted cherry tomatoes and button mushrooms, heaped upon a serving of pappardelle ribbons.
Turandot Pistachio Cherry Cake (RMB68), Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
But the restaurant’s bread and butter are their Charcuterie Boards (RMB128/small, RMB198/large), with preset selections of cheese, cold cuts, pickles, mixed nuts and dried fruits.
With offerings like Insigny Mimolette, Dutch Gouda and British salami and prosciutto, it’s hard to pass these up, especially with a glass of wine in hand.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
On the wine front, there are more than 100 labels to choose from, predominantly hailing from Italy and France, plus 14 wines by the glass (RMB48-98).
In the New Year, the restaurant plans to start offering prepared cheese box delivery for your next hosted event, picnic or party snack.
The Vibe
The restaurant comfortably fits 45 diners inside, plus another 40 outside, with floor-to-ceiling windows that can open once the weather warms, connecting the two spaces and making the entire place feel like a breezy patio.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Prices are reasonable across the board – you don’t have to dole out all that hard-earned cheddar to enjoy a meal – making Mozzarella e Vino a viable daily option.
This was done intentionally since Dr. Cheese key focus is on cheese education and exploration through its numerous endeavors that span far beyond this restaurant.
Open from brunch until the evening, this is a place to get your sip, snack and smile on.
Say ‘cheese!’
Price: RMB80-160
Who’s Going: Cheese addicts, wine lovers, curious Hengshan 8 visitors
Good For: European bistro cravings, cheese and wine fueled friendly catchups, casual date dinners
See a listing for Mozzarella e Vino.
[Cover image by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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