The Place
Located on the rooftop of a nine-story building overlooking the Pearl River, Vino’s second Guangzhou location at Party Pier offers views that are notably more impressive than its first shop – a ground-level establishment in Shipaicun.
Here, a dozen or so tables furnish a wood-floored patio. The seats with the best views are, unfortunately, all reserved when we pop in on a Wednesday afternoon – so we recommend booking in advance if you’re looking to experience the rooftop patio at its best.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
To combat Guangzhou’s unrelenting heat, a sprinkler system sprays mist to make the outdoor space more bearable.
The Food
The edibles on offer here are predominantly Italian, although the back of the menu boasts an unexpected mix of Asian fare, such as Japanese teriyaki chicken steak and bak kut teh from Singapore.
We start our dining experience off with a classic appetizer: prosciutto with cantaloupe (RMB42). It’s a well-struck balance of flavors: The sweetness of the melon melds with the savory Parma ham to create delicious morsels. Wash this starter down with a glass of Campari or Martini vermouth (both RMB48) and you’re in business.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
For a main course, we recommend ordering one of Vino’s high-quality steaks or the lamb chops (RMB178). The chops are up to our high standards, although we must admit the meaty dish looks nothing like the photo on the menu.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
As an Italian restaurant and bar with the name ‘Vino,’ the absence of wines on the menu is beyond perplexing. For the drinkers among our readers, we will note that beers and cocktails are on offer.
The wine-less eatery claims to use handmade dough in its pizzas, along with premium cheeses and sauces. Despite this, we found the spicy meat sauce pizza (RMB65) run-of-the-mill. We must admit, however, that we thoroughly enjoyed finishing our meal with homemade ice cream with raisins and almonds under the stars.
The Vibe
The ambiance at Vino can be described as ‘tranquil’ and is truly set by its captivating views, foliage and soft, Italian-style guitar music.
Price: RMB150
Who’s going: Chinese couples, girls indulging in selfies and food porn
Good for: views, date night
Nearest metro: Canton Tower (Exit A), then take the tram to Party Pier; 15 minutes
Open daily, 6pm-2am; see listing for Vino Italian Restaurant and Bar.
[Cover image by Tristin Zhang/That's]
0 User Comments