Here are all the new restaurant, bar and cafe openings we featured in our October 2017 issue:
New Bars and Clubs
Mg
If you love ingenious techniques and quirky miscellanies, come to Mg in Zhujiang New Town. Pronounced ‘Meg,’ this self-styled, white-collar after-hours bar is decked out and dressed to impress, with views and a quaint patio.
At Mg, there’s something for everyone in its elemental drinks, but you must tread lightly, as these are not your tried-and tested pub flavors. Want something attractive, experimental and sweet? The namesake Mg (RMB98) uses rum, fresh lime juice, blackcurrant syrup, peach syrup, bitters and a secret ingredient, and arrives blushing like a bride in a tall crystal glass. It’s sweet, refreshing and goes down smoothly (like all brides, eh?).
‘N’ (RMB98) combines chili-infused tequila, smoked whiskey, orange bitters and sugar, and comes with a show: theatrical blow-torching, pouring and smoke. The drink itself, however, tastes exactly like old libraries smell.
Price: RMB200
Who’s going: those who have read the Periodic Table of Cocktails by Emma Stokes
Good for: molecularity, chill-outs on the patio, splurging (aka Dan Bilzerian and his brood of brides)
Nearest metro: Liede (Exit B), 5 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Mg.
SoFit
There may be snotty types who take objection to the fact that it’s named after a famous hospitality brand or situated in such an elegant locale, but we say, if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, just don’t go. And if you’re looking for hook-ups or titillation, head elsewhere: this is a club to drink, drink and drink until you leave your comfy drinking spot and dance like it's your last day on earth.
Music runs the gamut from house and trap to electronic, and the venue is large enough so you’re not claustrophobic. The dance floor, DJ booth and bar are in the main room on the first floor, and the second floor sports a large KTV room for private events and a smaller space for hip-hop after-parties.
There’s a decent mix of people from around the globe, coming in not because they’ve noticed the Bentley showroom next to the entrance, but because the drinks are reasonable enough to keep them sated and cool. Cocktails are RMB60, bottles like Johnny Walker Black Label run for RMB780, and that’s about all you need to know – you won’t be remembering too much anyway.
Price: RMB120 and upwards (or however much it takes you to get tipsy)
Who’s going: those who know how to let their hair down
Good for: painting Tianhe red, late night pandemonium
Nearest metro: Linhe Xi (Exit B), 10 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for SoFit.
The South 12 Craft Beer Bar
We’ve been meaning to try Hideaway and Oi! Craft Beer & Vintage for some time now, so when Huang Xiaolei, cofounder of The South 12, told us her new establishment combines the best of both (which she and a good friend also happen to own), it felt like we were killing three birds with one stone.
Of the 16 total taps, 14 were available when we visited, less than a month after South 12’s opening. Huang, cofounder of the bar, said varieties on tap will remain consistent, whereas imported craft bottles will fluctuate to keep the selection interesting for regulars.
She recommended we start with shengpi, or draft beer, and since we couldn't decide between Jing A’s Flying Fist IPA (RMB45/330ml, RMB55/pint) and Koji Red Ale (out of stock at the time this article was written), she served us a flight of four samples (RMB88). All of Jing A’s varieties on tap are exceptional.
Price: RMB60
Who’s going: craft beer enthusiasts of all ages
Good for: rare imported bottles, tasty flights
Nearest metro: Wuyangcun (Exit A), 3 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for The South 12 Craft Beer Bar.
New Cafe
NAGI Tea House
When we heard NAGI wasn’t interested in attracting wanghong – those Internet stars who come solely to snap pics with the decor and leave their drinks unfinished – we knew this was a shop that took its beverages seriously. The sale alone is not enough – NAGI hopes patrons will genuinely enjoy the tea and return for more.
NAGI has done the legwork for you and matched its baked goods with specific teas in sets, but you’re also free to order whatever combo you wish. We suggest trying the Rose Aroma made with NAGI’s black tea, one of the shop’s classic pour-overs (all priced at RMB38, which includes two refills of hot water). Though consuming rose-flavored anything reminds us of eating potpourri, the potent black tea succeeded in masking some of the floral sweetness.
If you think you like green tea, be daring and try tieguanyin instead – a type of Oolong tea that is more aromatic and harder to find fresh outside of China.
Price: RMB50
Who’s going: trendy youth, people who know how to pao cha
Good for: classic Chinese tea paired with handmade desserts
Nearest metro: Taojin (Exit B), 3 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for NAGI.
New Restaurant
Xintian Botanic Life
Isolated and embellished by a garden of verdure, Xintian Botanic Life Restaurant is a vegetarian eatery tucked away behind the Liuhua Expo Center across the road from the China Hotel. Finding it isn’t difficult: after entering from Gate No. 1, look for the green plants on your left – its front door is adorned with scores of them.
The waiters here are warm and helpful in elaborating on the ordering procedure as well as dishes. Kung Pao lion’s mane mushroom (RMB68), one of the most ordered dishes, is a slightly spicy, sweet and sour treat with ‘lion’s mane mushrooms,’ cashews and bell papers. Cooking skill is demonstrated with another popular dish: Wanwu Shengzhang Shala 万物生长沙拉 (literally ‘all things grow salad,’ RMB56). Presented as a potted plant, it is made of mustard-flavored Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies as the base and poached okras, mushrooms and carrots as the plants. The taste? If mustard is to your liking, this is a satisfying dish.
Recommended by the waiter (who is wearing a leafy plant adornment atop his head), is the wheatgrass detox drink (RMB40), made from wheatgrass grown on the premises.
Price: RMB120
Who’s going: vegetarians, in-the-know Chinese
Good for: spicy vegetarian dishes, green dining environment
Nearest metro: Yuexiu Park (Exit C), 3 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Xintian Botanic Life Restaurant.
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