What's New Restaurants: Cafe de Sofa

This offshoot of the Houhai café has migrated eastward out of the hutongs to brighten the heart of CBD with another much-needed space for kicking back with a book, a laptop, or – if socializing is your jam – a pal.

Liquids prevail: 21 kinds of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages (RMB 26-42), 14 varieties of coffee and espresso drinks (RMB 26-52), nine liquors and simple cocktails (RMB 30-65), and six kinds of beer (RMB 20-40). You won’t be at a loss for hydration – or variation. It’s all here: Vietnamese coffee, starfruit juice, tequila shots and even Nespresso. Cheese milk tea (RMB 32) is intriguing, by reason that it is exactly what the name states.

The menu reflects the ownership – Taiwanese and enthusiastic. Lurou fan (braised pork over rice, RMB 36) nods to the traditional Taiwanese part, and much of the rest (sandwiches, pasta, waffles) to the enthusiasm. The kitchen excels with the braised pork – it is salty and full-bodied – while the smoked chicken with cheese sandwich (RMB 52) with its deli meat and processed cheese recalls a ski lodge canteen, which, in some regards, may be a fond memory.

Cafe de Sofa
Daily 10am-10pm. 1/F, Bldg E, World City, 8 Jinhui Lu (8590 3098)
沙发咖啡馆：朝阳区金汇路8号世界城商业街E座1楼
600m south of Dongdaqiao station (Line 6)

Also try: The Bookworm, Zuihong Lou

Photo: Sui