The Beijinger Blog - the beijinger

He's Always Invited

thebeijinger — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

It takes a special personality to be a wedding emcee – to say those sweet words over and over again with the greatest sincerity. Fortunately for Li Yao, he really does seem to be in love with love.

Gentle But Not Softcore: Youngsters Sculpting Soundscapes

thebeijinger — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

Gothenburg may be known as the cradle of melodic death metal, but it also nurtured the much gentler indie sound of post-rockers Immanu El, whose atmospheric pluckings have been compared to Sigur Rós and Mogwai. In less than four years, the quintet has played almost 200 shows in over 25 countries. Before finally landing in China, frontman Claes Strängberg had some thoughts to share with us.

Is This Beijing's Brainiest Bartender? Mike Bromley

thebeijinger — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0800

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz Beijing’s barkeeps on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

CONTESTANT: Mike Bromley, 12SQM
SPECIALIST SUBJECT: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Beijing Boyce: Creator of the Buffalo Wing Martini

thebeijinger — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0800

No matter how doggedly he maintains his ignorance of the finer points of the drinks industry, Jim “Beijing” Boyce knows Beijing’s bar scene better than most. We quizzed the bar blogger, consumer champion and wine challenge organizer over a drink or two.

Turning the Corner: Jun Trinh Presents 4corners

thebeijinger — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

With his new restaurant 4corners opening in the former Orange Tree space near Houhai, we asked Canadian chef Jun Trinh what’s cooking.

Toying With Safety? Why Heavy Metals Are Bad For Your Kids

thebeijinger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

Robin Guo is appalled to hear that her child’s playthings may be poisonous. The mother of 3-year-old Colleen is one of countless Chinese parents stunned by a new study that found dangerous levels of heavy metals in nearly ten percent of the country’s children’s products.

Bar of the Month: Union

thebeijinger — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0800

Although we’re big fans of the “and Grille” part of Union Bar and Grille, there’s nothing we like more than a seat at the bar, a happy hour pint and a handful of their complimentary salty chips. Led by the ever-affable Andy Bright, Union’s staff is also top-notch.

A Taste of Home: South Korea

thebeijinger — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

When I contacted Lee Chang-Ju of the Korean Cultural Center, the cultural wing of the South Korean Embassy, I anticipated a trip to Wangjing. Or at least Wudaokou. Instead, he took me to Gaon, located just across the road from Phoenix City. That was one preconception destroyed – apparently, there is good Korean food inside the Fourth Ring Road.

String and Bones: In the Lap of Violence and Luxury

thebeijinger — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

For one of China’s most well-known contemporary artists, Lin Tianmiao certainly is cagey about her artistic process. When I sat down with her at her home studio in Songzhuang and began asking about her new exhibit at the Beijing Center for the Arts (BCA), entitled “The Same,” she claimed that she “just came up with a title” after finishing her works, simply because “every exhibit needs one.” Whether she’s being coy or just evasive, this comment clashes with the BCA’s own website, which explains that the name is meant to remind us how “everything looks the same if you watch at a distance; and nothing may be the same if you get closer.”

Espresso Yourself: Tracking Trends in the City’s Coffee Culture

thebeijinger — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0800

Coffee, in case your wits are too inert to notice (go brew a pot right this second) has reached its tipping point in China. Starbucks has been here for over two decades, but only lately has it found serious traction, expecting to triple its stable of 500 stores over the next three years.

As the Chinese coffee market diversifies, companies are scrambling to find their niche. Not only is this heralding the arrival of the latest American coffee trends (organic, “farm-to-cup” and microroasting) but the emergence of weird and wonderful new retail models that cater to the demands of the local market.