Alfie's Beijing: New British Gastro-Pub from Menswear Designer

Walk into Alfie’s Beijing and there is reason for immediate pause as you immerse yourself in the sleek gray color scheme that is Alfred Dunhill. Mirrors and marble tables line the boys’ club, with bar and outdoor deck. The leather couch also caught our eye – no bachelor pad is complete without leather, but think English bloke with refined taste.

The drink menu is just as considered as the décor. Of the creative and classic cocktails, try the Cool Beijing (RMB 68), with Absolut, grapefruit juice, and crème de cassis, spiced with ginger beer to whet your appetite, or choose a selection from the well-stocked wine and scotch lists.

The menu, place settings, and even bread basket all have the Dunhill touch. True to form, this is a designer’s stage for food. Start off with the smoked Scottish salmon terrine (RMB 78), with cream cheese, chives and frisee salad, then move on to the Hereford goat’s curd (RMB 68) – amazingly soft and artfully wrapped with light leaves of squash and courgette on the side. Enter the steak tartare (RMB 128) of Australian Black Angus beef fillet with English mustard. The taste was decidedly smooth, and the meat certainly fresh.

We dipped our toes back into traditional English comfort food. The cottage pie (RMB 118) with port wine, braised veal rump with carrots and creamy mash, reminded me more of mashed potatoes. Potatoes covered the pie with veal and carrots hidden at the bottom, but they are by far some of the best mashed potatoes in this city.

Also try: Park Square, Morton’s

Photos: Joey Guo