Here are all the bar and restaurants we featured in our November 2018 issue:
New Restaurants:
Gloria Jean's Coffees
Image via Gloria Jean's Coffees
Making its first foray into southern China, Gloria Jean's Coffees means business. At least, that’s what we gathered from spending a couple of hours getting loaded on caffeinated drinks, sugary thirst-quenchers and pub-style bites.
It’s a coffee shop, so naturally, start with a hot cuppa. The latte (RMB32) is particularly good, especially if you like your cup of joe dark, hot, strong and foamy. If your tingling tongue needs a cold pick-me-up, opt for their chillers; the signature cookies and cream (RMB34) is recommended, and we can see why. It’s rich and thick, with bits of chocolatey goodness swimming around under a dollop of velvety whipped cream. Coffee gourmands will like the alternative coffee brewing options, including the cold drips and pour over varieties.
To wash down those liquids, there’s food too. Whilst it cannot be considered anything other than ordinary, the prices and taste are decent. We sunk our teeth into some angry chicken wings (RMB28), eight little bits marinated with some Sichuan pepper powder. It’s a tad spicy for the little ones, so if you are looking for something less numbing, try the spaghetti bolognese (RMB43) or the Aussie dad’s beef burger with fries (RMB58).
Price: RMB50-80
Who’s going: those who don’t like Starbucks, cookie and cream fans
Good for: quiet meetings, warm lattes, cute orange bears named Gloria
Nearest metro: Liede (Exit D), 10 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Gloria Jean's Coffees.
Pierre Bistro & Art
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Pierre Bistro & Art is a stylish upgrade of Le Fournil de Pierre, a French restaurant chain that boasts 40 years of history. One dish here that really caught our attention is from the brunch selection of the bistro’s menu: the grilled beef with avocado (RMB88). What arrived at our table was a well-scented, robust mixture of sirloin cuts, avocado, mushrooms, figs, roasted tomatoes, veggies and a poached egg, with a sweet layer of mashed pumpkin lining the inner side of the plate. Living up to Pierre Bistro & Art’s French roots, a croissant accompanied the order. The unique blend of fresh ingredients exceeded our expectations and perfectly exemplified why the ‘Pierre brand’ has enjoyed such a long history.
Pierre Bistro & Art hosts a fantastic selection of tipples, with wines from France, Australia, Italy and Germany all finding a place on the wine list. Many of the foodstuffs on the menu are presented with a recommended wine. For instance, the Hidden Sea Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 from Australia’s Limestone Coast (RMB268) is suggested as a good companion for the bistro’s tenderloin steaks.
Price: RMB80-200
Who’s going: aspiring models, and their friends
Good for: a lazy weekend brunch, a romantic date
Nearest metro: Donghu (Exit A), 30 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for Pierre Bistro & Art.
New Bars:
ATOC
Image by Matt Bossons/That's
Okay, okay, so we’re a little late to the party on this one, but as the old saying goes: better late than never. With that mantra in mind, this month we are excited to introduce you to ATOC, operated by former McCawley’s Guangzhou boss Tait Dalrymple.
Located in a small corner unit on Huaxun Jie, ATOC bills itself as a casual cocktail bar that deals in quality beverages – from Carlsberg imported all the way from Europe to mixed bevvies overseen by cocktail queen Pixie, the bar’s drink manager. On our visit, Dalrymple tells us that ATOC is very much focused on beverages, stating, “We don’t do any food, we just concentrate on drinks.”
Recommended beverages here include the aforementioned imported Carlsberg (RMB30), as well as ATOC’s whiskey sour (RMB50) and Bloody Mary (RMB50). With just the right amount of zest and a perfectly-balanced, savory flavor, ATOC’s Bloody Mary is among the best we’ve sampled in Guangzhou.
Price: RMB50
Who’s going: Australians, lots and lots of Australians
Good for: quality cocktails, quality banter
Nearest metro: Wuyangcun (Exit B), 10 minutes; Zhujiang New Town (Exit B1), 10 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for ATOC.
The Strand Xiguan
Image via David Strand
Beer wise, The Strand’s Xiguan location does not deviate too much from the selection of suds on offer at the bar’s flagship location in Wuyangcun. On our visit, the bar only had one offering that was unique to Xiguan: the aptly named Xiguan Session IPA (RMB40/pint). (Dave does mention to us that more Xiguan-only brews will be rolled out in the not-so-distant future).
The Xiguan Session IPA is an easy-to-drink beer that will remind fans of Dave’s beer of his Session IPA, which is available at The Strand’s Wuyangcun location. With an ABV of 4.8 percent, the Xiguan Session IPA has a hoppy aroma that will impress even the pickiest fans of the India pale ale variety.
Those who prefer fruity suds will enjoy the Yangmei Roselle Blond (RMB40). The first yangmei beer produced in China, according to Dave, this delightful, slightly-pinkish beer has a 5 percent ABV and a light, fruity taste that reminds us of summer patio parties back home. (Yangmei is a fruit often referred as a wax berry in English, for those of you that are wondering). This beverage is our favorite of Dave’s inebriating elixirs due to its elegant flavors and sessionability.
If neither of the aforementioned beers tickle your fancy, we’re confident Dave will have something for you on one of his 16 taps, which host a fantastic selection of both house and guest beers.
Price: RMB40-50
Who’s going: urban wanderers, Xiguan locals, curious tourists
Good for: high-quality local beer
Nearest metro: Zhongshanba (Exit A), 10 minutes; Changshoulu (Exit E), 10 minutes; Ruyifang (Exit B), 15 minutes
Read our full review here. See listing for The Strand Xiguan.
Read more Guangzhou restaurant reviews, cafe reviews and bar reviews.
[Cover image via Gloria Jean's Coffees]
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