Here are all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our January 2018 issue:
New Restaurants
Bofei Yuepin
Mixing Western techniques with classic Cantonese dishes, Bofei Yuepin is ideal for both Chinese and foreign diners. Soon after taking our order, attentive wait staff brings out an exotic pair of dishes – jellyfish with red vinegar (RMB68) and fried frog legs with pepper and salt (RMB88). The jellyfish had a surprising crunch while the frog was seasoned with the perfect blend of salt, pepper, and spice to make eating the fiddly legs worthwhile.
Price: RMB150-250
Who’s going: small groups, party people
Good for: taking out clients, lovers of contemporary cuisine
Nearest metro: Grand Theatre (Exit C3), 8 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Bofei Yuepin.
Hard Rock Cafe
An emblem of American culture since the 1970s, Hard Rock planted its flagship China venue right here in Shenzhen. Inside, it’s nostalgia incarnate: guitars from Joan Jett and Bon Jovi and costumes from Elvis, Rihanna and Chinese rockers like Second Hand Rose. You want a burger? They’ve got a dozen. Java Lava (RMB98, all prices add 15 percent service charge) rubs espresso on a patty blended from Australian rib eye, beef fat and tenderloin. The end result is familiar cheese-and-bacon Americana, with a bold bit of fire from the grilled jalapeño.
Price: RMB120-150
Who’s going: music fans, urban explorers, Mission Hills day-trippers
Good for: nostalgia, tried-and-true American classics
Nearest metro: Qinghu (Exit A), 40 minute Didi ride
Read our full review here. See listing for Hard Rock Cafe.
Voisin Organique
Voisin Organique requires diners to RSVP at least a day in advance, and takes pride in sourcing ingredients from a network of organic farms around China. We sample the 10-course tasting menu for December (RMB488 a person). 'Childhood’ is the inspiration behind a starter that looks like a simple wafer cookie. A bite reveals a ‘filling’ of chilled foie gras, however, smooth and slightly sweet with the addition of raisins. It’s followed by servings of tuna belly garnished with vegetables and marinade, ‘Shunde’ style. The lightly sour, nutty seasoning enhances rather than masks the flavor of the raw fish.
Price: RMB488
Who’s going: health-conscious diners, in-the-know epicures
Good for: long conversations, fusion fine dining
Nearest metro: Baishizhou (Exit A), 24 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Voisin Organique.
New Bars
Jolly Roger
Despite the name, there’s not a glimpse of skull-and-crossbones nor piracy inside the Jolly Roger. Within the small but welcoming wood-paneled bar is a mellow energy and a cool aesthetic that let us sit and sip long into the night. We found a revelation in Fernet, a refined Italian spirit of myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom and aloe. Founder Joanna Guo loves it on ice with Coke, but we prefer her more creative cocktails. In the Hanky-Panky (RMB98) it transforms our favorite Negroni into something deeper, with a bright citrus scent and a settled bitterness on the tongue.
Price: RMB75-100 per drink
Who’s going: laid-back loungers, experimental tipplers
Good for: classy cocktails, respectable whiskies
Nearest metro: Sea World (Exit A), 6 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Jolly Roger.
Oil Club
Oil Club looks too nice to be an edgy electronic music venue. It’s hard to imagine that experimental music parties – nightwave and grime one week, dub techno the next – are held at the club next door. At the bar, we try the Catcher in the Rye (RMB78), a gimmicky sounding glass that’s presented inside a smoke-filled bell jar. Mist swirls over the surface of the tart, bourbon-sweet drink, leaving a faint woody smell on our fingertips, scarves and hair.
Price: RMB50-90 per drink
Who’s going: electronic music lovers, cool kids
Good for: upscale cocktails, secret raves
Nearest metro: Xiasha (Exit D), 5 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Oil Club.
Read more Shenzhen restaurant reviews and bar reviews.
0 User Comments