Fresco Bar: Maison Mixology

Maison Boulud’s bar has been around since the restaurant’s opening, but while award-winning cuisine remains Boulud’s priority, Fresco has at least been pushed closer to the spotlight in recent months.

Take the trip to Qianmen for a quality late-afternoon drink on the terrace. A regularly rotated list of seasonal infusions makes finding a suitably summery drink easy. The “Troublesome Kriek” (RMB 98+15%), is sweet, fruity and thirst-quenching, thanks to orange bitters and cherry beer. However, the sturdy whiskey base warns you against throwing the drink back with abandon.

The sun begins to set, and staying for a second drink seems a reasonable idea. As the skies darken, take your cue from nature and move indoors. Fresco’s main bar area has the same stately feel as Boulud’s dining room. The glassware is as sexy as glassware can be, while the air of exclusivity covers for the lack of buzz on a quiet night. Order the “Qiu-tini” (RMB 75+15%), a light, refreshing cucumber martini juiced up with a dash of lime – a definite highlight.

One for the road. The “Kafka Haze” (RMB 75+15%) sucks you in with the promise that even if you don’t enjoy the combination of absinthe, passionfruit syrup, apple liqueur and fresh lime, you might later have unusually lucid dreams. One too many, though, and you risk waking up feeling as wretched as the insectoid protagonist of The Metamorphosis.

Positioned as it is both geographically and in pricing terms, Fresco Bar will always be a “special occasion” destination. Then again, if you could come here every day, it wouldn’t stay special for long.

Good for: Lazy summer evenings
Also try: Atmosphere, Fez Bar

Fresco Bar
Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm, 6-10pm; Sat-Sun (brunch) 11am-4pm, 6-10pm. Inside Maison Boulud, Ch'ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (6559 9200)
东城区前门东大街23号

Photos: Sui