Here are all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our June 2019 issue:
New Restaurant:
I Love Pasta
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
The pastas on offer here are divided into three main categories: tomato-based sauce, black pepper sauce and cream sauce. Additionally, I Love Pasta’s menu contains a list of recommended dishes, some of which feature alternative sauce options.
We tried the ‘devil spicy’ crayfish pasta (RMB58), which boasts 10 oh-so-delicious xiaolongxia tails and comes covered in a black pepper sauce. When the dish arrives, the crimson crustaceans are set in a circle around the al dente spaghetti noodles and slices of onion and red, yellow and green peppers. While satisfying (and spicy as all hell), the pasta has one almost unforgivable flaw: the crawfish do not come de-shelled, meaning you have to pause from your noodle consumption to get your hands all messy and oily.
To help combat the spice of the aforementioned spaghetti dish, an accompanying beverage is duly required. We ordered the restaurant’s floral rose tea (RMB28), although we think it is slightly overpriced and could probably uses less sugar. Beer and wine are also available here, just in case you’re looking to catch a buzz during your dining experience.
Price: RMB50-100
Who’s going: Italian cuisine lovers, pastaholics
Good for: savory pasta, pleasant vibes, dynamic design
Nearest metro: Bao’an Center (Exit F), 5 minutes walk
Read our full review here. See listing for I Love Pasta.
New Bars:
La Boca
Image via La Boca
This being a bar, we tucked into La Boca’s drinks menu first. The ‘Mano a Mano’ (RMB98) is a delicious combination of rum, slow-cooked pineapple and lemon zest. While the fruity nature of the drink led us to expect something sour and overpowering, we were pleased to find that the beverage was creamy and easy on the palate.
La Boca’s food menu is much less substantial than the drinks list, and a little bit scattered. While you can grab Latin fare like tacos and tapas, you can also snag some bites from Japan, Yunnan and the Middle East. We decided to try their pork knuckle tacos (RMB78), which come as two well-packed and savory bundles. We were somewhat disappointed by the taste, as the pork knuckle was a bit too fatty, and, in fact, overly savory for our taste.
Finally, we finished our evening with the outlet’s ‘Coco’ cocktail (RMB98), a Mexican-themed drink made especially for Cinco de Mayo. Combining tequila, black pepper, cherry liqueur and pineapple, Coco is a floral, fruity delight and swiftly dispelled memories of our less than satisfactory food.
Price: RMB200
Who’s going: folks with Latin fever, expats from South America
Good for: tequila cocktails, live music
Nearest metro: Qiaochengdong (Exit A), 15 minutes walk
Read our full review here. See listing for La Boca.
Taps Taproom
Image by Luis Campos for That’s
Food options at Taps Taproom are limited (ranging mostly from different barbecued meats to salty snacks) and play second fiddle to the venue’s star attraction – a selection of over 10 different craft beers, which are sure to please both beer connoisseurs and novices.
For those new to the glorious nectar that is craft beer, we recommend the Berner Weisse Sour (RMB30/180 milliliters, RMB50/330 milliliters), a smooth beer that can be best compared to an alcoholic soda, lacking any bitter aftertaste despite the inclusion of ‘sour’ in its name. Craft beer experts are likely to flock to Taps’ signature End of Days IPA (RMB30/180 milliliters, RMB50/330 milliliters). This hoppy beverage is all the rage in the Shenzhen beer community and has quickly become a favorite for drinkers who prefer a hop-punch to the palate. For those not satisfied with the hoppines of this IPA, try the aptly named, Hop Explosion (RMB28/180 milliliters, RMB45/330 milliliters).
Fans of Guinness and similar stouts should check out Taps’ own take on this dark brew. The Taps Stout (RMB30/180 milliliters, RMB50/330 milliliters) is dark and heavy in all the right ways – perfect for those days when beer counts as medicine.
Price: RMB150-200
Who’s going: craft beer enthusiasts, friendly dogs
Good for: fancy suds, showing off your ‘hop’ knowledge
Nearest metro: Wanxia (Exit A), 5 minutes walk
Read our full review here. See listing for Taps Taproom.
Read more Shenzhen restaurant reviews, bar reviews and cafe reviews.
[Cover image via La Boca]
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