2011 Dec 23 Perk Up Peking: Ocean Grounds Coffee Opens
At this rate, pretty soon they’ll be no tea drinkers left. Yes, another coffee shop has opened in Beijing, but this one’s a little different. Actually, little is the wrong word – Ocean Grounds Coffee is one of the biggest joints in town, it roasts its own (in a machine as big as a pair of romping ligers) and seeks to spread its message of love and coffee connoisseurship with nigh-on religious fervour.
On the third floor of U-Town Mall near Ritan Park, Ocean Grounds boasts not one but two counters – the first for filter coffee, the second for espresso-related brews. I grabbed a quick cappuccino – thumbs up for the smoothness of the house-roasted blend, and (hooray!) they use Wonder Milk (hope you’re reading, Café Zarah).
I then tried a filter coffee (from Goroka, Papua New Guinea – they have lots of different varieties) – the tasting notes spoke of “campfire smokiness” and “hints of pepper cinnamon and cardamom”. Sure, I guess. Actually it was exceedingly aromatic, and the guy making it told me lots of interesting and complicated facts, like having the water at exactly 93 degrees C - I think I need a bit of schooling in all this…
… which is what they do here, conveniently. In the center of the main room, a glassed in space is reserved for “Cupping” – essentially coffee tasting at the level of fine wine appreciation. And these guys know A LOT. It’s fascinating, verging on cultish, and they’ve got some great coffee toys to play with, too.
Ocean Grounds Coffee officially opens for business tomorrow. Unit 327, third floor, building 5, Sanfeng Beili, Chaoyang District (5637 7527)
You might also be interested in :
Silly Name, Succulent Burgers: Laowai's Lounge Opens in Wudaokou
This campus-style café-bar suffers from a surprisingly unimaginative approach to design. The long bar area is pleasing enough, but seating is arranged in unnecessarily rigid lines, and Mao posters are haphazardly thrown about to cover bare red walls.
Fake Tanning: Cheat Your Way to a Summer Glow
The time has come for sleeveless tops and short shorts. Unfortunately, after being holed up for all of winter, many of you may feel shy about baring your pasty limbs. For ways to cheat your way to a summer glow, check out our list of the top tanning salons in town.
Gao Gao Spicy Hot Pot: Cook-It-Yourself With a Taiwanese Twist
Beijing isn’t lacking for hot pot spots, so when a new one appears, even enthusiasts might ask “Why bother?” Gao Gao answers that question with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to recreating the freshest Taipei hot pot.
Fit For a King: Feast Offers a New All-You-Can-Eat Option
The first thing that strikes you about Feast is that it’s a fine-looking restaurant. Of course, nobody really comes to a place like this to enjoy the design, so it’s just as well that the all-you-can-eat offerings deliver. Mix up your own salad to ease yourself in, and try not to overindulge in the bread and cheese selection – you’re going to need every inch your stomach allows.
On the Eje: Good Beers on a Budget
With neighbors Temple and Jam already dealing in live music and cocktails respectively, Eje brings a good selection of beer to the table. The choice isn’t as large as at El Nido, but with a focus on Belgian and German brews (Paulaner, Erdinger, Maredsous, Westmalle), there’s enough quality to keep purists amused until they pass out.
mdev
Re: Perk Up Peking: Ocean Grounds Coffee Opens
Does that say 40 kuai for a latte? What's going on with prices in Beijing lately? That's over $6.25 when a comparable drink in New York would be $4 tops.
homersimpson's
Re: Perk Up Peking: Ocean Grounds Coffee Opens
I was there during the opening yesterday. The place was packed (I think mainly due to a promotion) and they probably still need to work out some operational kinks.
I must say, though a bit pricey, I had the best cup of coffee I've had here in Beijing by far at their 'discovery bar'. It was a pour over, filtered coffee made by the owner of the place. I forget his name, but I won't forget that coffee. I'll def be back.