If you haven’t noticed, people around Xi’an really like bars. It’s seems like there is a new bar that pops up every day, and there are more always on the way. However, most of these bars fall into two distinct categories – beer and cocktails. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with a nice cold craft brew or an expertly mixed concoction, there is something that has been missing from the landscape for quite some time – a wine bar. Enter CUB.
C anada’s favorite coffee shop hit Chinese shores in early 2019, with their first store opening in Shanghai. Since then they have expanded to other large cities in China, with their most recent opening right here in Xi’an on July 29th. The shop, located at MIXC not far from exit C of the HuiZhanZhongXin Metro stop is a bit of an odd choice, being far from the downtown area, but is likely just the beginning of their expansion in Xi’an.
Forgive me for this month’s contribution being a hot bake in the sweltering summer, however it all balances once served with a scoop or three of cooling vanilla ice cream.
This sweet is a traditional South African dessert with a pep and tweak from a classic British baked chocolate pudding. I don’t claim it, nor shall I entitle this as my own recipe as it does come from my chef school recipe file. As a student, I made this many a time and has often proudly taken place of honor on many dinner tables back home.
It’s no secret that people here love a nice beer in a can or bottle. Often you can find one table with 10-20 at a time. And I’m sure we are all familiar with the sweet bottled Rio drinks lining the fridges of Everydays all over the city. But I foresee something new on the horizon. Because why should you only put beer in a can or bottle; why not a refreshing chardonnay or a Manhattan cocktail? Yeah, we are officially in the future.
Summer is a season that often reminds me of meat. Whether barbequed over open flame or served up on a big platter, summer always feels like the right season for skipping the carbs and going straight for the good stuff. There are many cuisines in China’s north and northwest regions that are famous for their high quality and quantity of meats, not the least of which is the food of Gansu. However, if most people were asked to name some dishes from that province, most would not be able to think any further than beef noodles.
Craft Breweries have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many small micro-breweries popping up all over the country. With the increasing popularity, a few names have made it big, and have begun spreading to other cities in China, including Xi’an. One of the most recent additions to the Xi’an scene is Boxing Cat Brewery.
This restaurant is called “Third Floor Mala Hot Pot” in Chinese for a reason – it is on the third floor, and their hot pot is spicy!
We weren’t surprised by this. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the wide international beer selection and how spacious the rooftop was. Deck chairs, flower planters, expansive shade umbrellas, and outdoor lighting made the space welcoming and comfortable, especially now that summer is here. Add in the beer, and you have a bona fide beer garden on a rooftop.
The first time I heard of this bar, I mistook it as people not wanting to tell me. Fortunately, the confusion was short-lived, as I found myself knocking on the door of said bar only a few weeks later.
Spearheaded by the duo of Jason and Henry, ‘Don’t Tell’ is the new cocktail bar on the block. It’s nothing like what I’ve experienced before. A modern cocktail bar with a wine focus. What sets it apart from the rest you ask? You’ll have one of the most passionate mixologists making cocktails for you. And it’s probably the most intimate bar experience Xi’an has to offer.
The locals in Xi’an love their barbeque, so much so that barbeque restaurants spring from alleyways and street corners throughout the summer months. Bursting forth from the flames is a bouquet of flavors and textures, all washed down with icy-cold local beers and an unquenchable hunger for more. For a first timer, or even an unadventurous old-hand, the world of barbeque can be intimidating, as you don’t know exactly what you are getting when you order. You’re Chinese lessons telling you of 猪肉 and 鸡肉 seem to fail you as you stare a menu of unfamiliar words and combinations. Well, don’t worry. We’ve put together a quick descriptive guide on what to do when hitting the barbeque restaurant.
Isola del Nord has been a staple on the Xi’an scene for longer than most foreigners have been in China. This cozy little restaurant, located on the 11F of the KI Building on North Street, has steadily served up some of the best Napoli-style pizza in the city, along with exceptional Italian foods, for 13 years now. So, how does the restaurant hold up after all these years?
It’s never easy to maintain a restaurant at the best of times, and the past year and a half have been some of the roughest in recent memory, presenting a challenge to the entire industry. Yet, through all of this, Isola has stood up to its reputation, and continues to provide one of the nicest dining environments in the city.
