First Glance: Wednesday Coffee

Xindong Lu cafe bar Wednesday Coffee is the perfect mix of part bar, part coffee house, with a touch of ‘down under’ Australian-inspired signage and sporadic kitsch decorations you find in most start-up coffee houses. Woven chairs and darkened tables are lined up to maximize the use of their generous space, without the sacrifice of having to elbow your way through to a spare seat.

 

Their menu is a little lackluster in content description, though most headings are given in Chinese and English. What composes their special Wednesday hotdog (RMB 38) or Wednesday sandwich (RMB 58) is left to those who can read characters. Being the turn of the New Year, I wanted something fresh and vibrant to start my (ultimately short-lived) health inspired resolution. A garden salad (RMB 38) rich in color with deep green leaves, crisp tomato, corn, and radish, with a punchy balsamic vinegar on the side catered to my intentions and I finished it feeling better for myself.
 
 
After fulfilling my promise of health, I ordered the chocolate mousse cake (RMB 28). A smooth chocolate filling, topped with coconut shavings, arrived on a decorated plate. The crust felt hand-crumbed, with its gritty structure complementing the lightness of the mousse.
 
 
Wednesday Coffee isn’t looking to be your go-to place for a wild night. Rather it exists for those who need the reminder that yes, there is a bright side to being a run of the mill standard.
 
Wednesday Coffee and Bar
Daily 10am-1am. 8 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District (8400 4699)
朝阳区新东路8号
 
Photos: Erin Strong