The Urban Edit
While those in the know won’t be surprised by the continued popularity of Janes & Hooch, the bar’s shy little sister Canvas (a pop up that’s become permanent) has been quietly winning fans away from the limelight. Located about half a mile away on the second floor of a hip food hall, its the perfect little bar – intimate but not cramped, cool gray interior, great atmosphere… that’s at night.
So how does it look in the harsh light of day?
The Achingly Cool Coffee Shops
Forget Gulou– we’re going to go out on a limb and say that Dashilan has the greatest concentration of cool coffee shops per square meter in Beijing. That’s right – from artisanal Soloist Coffee at 39 Yangmeizhu Xiejie (where they brew only the finest and you can recline in old salvaged armchairs) to Berry Beans, an early 20th century brothel that’s been converted into a gorgeous café with a little terrace (No.7 Zhujia Hutong).
The Hip Restaurants
Hunan resto The Southern Fish (166 Yangmeizhu Xiejie) flew under the radar for years until they made it onto Travel + Leisure’s hip list. And they’re not the only ones. Inde Japanese chain Suzuki Kitchen (10-14 Yangmeizhu Xiejie) has one of the best spaces on Yangmeizhu – a beautifully zen long room, filled with light and with its own kooky picnic area out front.
For those in the know, The Southern Fish has been the unsung hero of Dashilan’s labyrinthine hutongs for a couple of years now. The small but stylish arbiter of authentic cuisine from China’s Hunan province, there’s always a wait for a table at this restaurant.
But now the owners have opened a second branch in that other up-and-coming hipster neighborhood: Baitasi. And here there’s room for everyone!
Michelin rolled into Shanghai back in September, sprinkling the city’s dining establishments with stars and kicking up controversy in the process. While many heavy hitters such as Ultraviolent and Otto e Mezzo Bombana picked up well-deserved stars, others were awarded to utterly obscure places or mediocre mall-based dim sum spots. Social media buzzed with rage. What that devil was going on? Had Michelin’s inspectors unearthed culinary treasures that lay hidden from us all these years? Or had the brand lost its touch – or worse? Bespoke sent in a crack team of foodies and journalists to investigate. Yes, yes it’s a tough job but…
