Here are all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our February 2019 issue:
New Restaurants
The Pizza Factory
Image by Jonathan Zhong/That's
If you’re as tired of browsing the same 10 generic pies at chain pizzerias as we are, you’ll be happy to know about a recent opening: The Pizza Factory, a DIY pizza restaurant from Guangzhou.
After chatting with our colleagues in Guangzhou, we decided to skip the shop’s set pizza options and order a 12-inch DIY pizza (RMB88) right off the bat. Food production at The Pizza Factory is refreshingly transparent and interactive, with your pizza made right in front of you in a five-minute process that’s comparable to a Subway sandwich shop.
If pizza isn’t really your slice, the restaurant has a variety of other options, from wraps to pastas and meat-focused dishes. The party platter (RMB60) is perfect for families and groups of friends and comes with 24-hour marinated chicken wings, crispy calamari, Cajun fries, cheesy sweet potato fries and baked mac ‘n’ cheese.
What really impressed us, though, was the BBQ pork ribs (RMB108). Glazed a deep brown, the meat is delicately prepared and provides an explosion of flavors and textures.
Price: RMB90
Who’s going: families, picky eaters, hungry shoppers
Good for: DIY eats, a quick and casual meal
Nearest metro: Hi-Tech Park (Exit A), 5 minutes’ walk
Read our full review here. See listing for The Pizza Factory.
Starling
Image by Bryan Grogan/That's
Shuiwei is admittedly packed with restaurants and tasty food choices, but the introduction of Starling, a burger truck from the folks behind Magpie and Woodpecker Smokehouse, is a more than welcome addition to the area’s list of patty purveyors.
Visitors can grab a classic burger topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, gherkins and ‘starling sauce’ (RMB35), with the choice to add an extra patty (RMB15) and extra cheese (RMB5). Additional toppings (RMB3) come in the form of peppers, mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon, roasted garlic and jalapenos.
If you’ve enjoyed a few pints, this is the perfect spot for an end-of-the-night bite, and probably a feast that your stomach, and your sore head, will thank you for in the morning.
Price: RMB35-70 per person
Who’s going: village people, patty princes and princesses
Good for: end of the night burgers, scrumptious lunch
Nearest metro: Fumin (Exit D), 10 minute’s walk
Read our full review here. See listing for Starling.
松Zone.D
Image by Bryan Grogan/That's
One of the more difficult restaurants that we’ve ever been tasked with locating, you can find 松Zone.D positioned snugly near the top of photo feeds on various Shenzhen foodie apps. As the darling of selfie stars the city over, 松Zone.D sits on the 22nd floor of a commercial building in South Futian, overlooking a wide expanse of concrete jungle beneath.
松Zone.D was opened by Mike Lo, a Chinese chef who recently returned from a seven-year sojourn in Ireland, where he worked in a variety of hotels, including the Sheraton. He gave us a personal introduction to the menu, which consists largely of fruit teas, snacks and delectable lunches. Ring ahead and Mike will prepare a dinner that changes everyday. For example, he may prepare steak and foie gras one day, and shrimp-based dishes the next.
松Zone.D has caught fire on Dianping since its opening, and we spotted a small group of locals who were taking advantage of the delectable decorations, posing in and around the beanbags that lay largely untouched near the windows. Relaxed, urbane and above much of the city’s chaos, this restaurant is a healthy option for a quiet evening amongst old friends.
Price: RMB50-100
Who’s going: selfie superstars, adventurous eaters
Good for: city views, comfortable surroundings
Nearest metro: Shixia (Exit A) 10 minutes’ walk
Read our full review here. See listing for 松Zone.D.
New Bar
Matches Cocktail & Whisky
Image via Matches Cocktail & Whisky
Do you feel drained by the ol’ 9am-9pm routine (let’s face it, this is Shenzhen)? We sure do, which is why we were delighted to recently discover Matches Cocktail & Whisky, a fun new cocktail spot in Futian with a dope terrace and great views.
Tucked inside the Jinrun building, which is located about three minutes’ walk from Chegongmiao Metro Station, Matches Cocktail & Whisky is owned by Chris Wong, a businessman involved in the medical industry by day and a bar proprietor by night. Deeply aware of the stressful lives that office workers lead, he aims to provide visitors with an escape from the monotony of big city life.
With soothing tropical house music setting the tone, we decided to start our boozy escapade off with the chanshi yu, or ‘rain in the season of cicadas’ (RMB98), a whiskey-based cocktail made with homemade passion fruit puree, pineapple juice, lemon juice and Angostura bitters. While we found the beverage Frankenstein-ish, we reckon fans of fruit-laden drinks won’t be disappointed.
Price: RMB88-108
Who’s going: tired office workers, friends, lovers
Good for: cozy vibes, soothing music, whiskey-based cocktails
Nearest Metro: Chenggongmiao (Exit C), 5 minutes’ walk
Read our full review here. See listing for Matches Cocktail & Whisky.
Read more Shenzhen restaurant reviews and bar reviews.
[Cover image by Jonathan Zhong/That's]
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