Back in 2014, a few years before specialty coffee began to percolate into Beijing's mainstream, Alex Liu was one of the first café owners to help galvanize the trend with his aptly named Barista shop
on Wudaoying. Now that plenty more Beijingers have acquired a taste for
high-quality beans, Liu deems it time to open a second spot, this time
called Barista Specialty on the first floor of Nali Patio.
Just
like its moniker, the café is very much to the point. None of the
eye-catching trappings that make Barista's competitors like Bracket,
Soloist, or even the more minimalist Metal Hands so inviting to sit and
while away the hours are to be found at this new, bare concrete walled
venue. In fact, aside from a short row of stools opposite the hulking
coffee machine, there's hardly even a place to perch in this
matchbook-sized spot.
Instead,
Barista is better suited for the Sanlitun set hoping to quickly order a
quality cup of joe on the go. Their RMB 35 "dirty," for instance, is
creamy enough to go down smooth but still packs enough potency to keep
you caffeinated long after the last drop (a measure of the quality beans
they use to brew).
Their RMB 30 soda iced Americano –
a longtime favorite at the Wudaoying location – is an even more unique
must-try thanks to the creative combination of ingredients summed up in
its moniker (once again, Liu lets the name say it all).
And
while Barista is devoid of pretty much any ambiance, some of its
high-end hardware is at least pleasing to the eye. Aside from a mammoth
coffee machine for lattes (RMB 35) and double espressos (RMB 25), there
are also glowing futuristic siphon machines, plus an antique-looking
siphon with wood trim adorning the corner by the entryway.
Those
fancy gadgets are complemented by the imported specialty beans that Liu
will have on a rotating basis. For now, that portion of the menu
includes a couple of pretty cheap options like Costa Rica Perla Negra and Sumatra Golden Mandheling (both RMB 45) along with a pricier RMB 88 Panama Geisha.
Yes,
quality at the expense of frivolity seems to be Barista Specialty's
signature style – which will leave coffee nerds copious options to pore
over – but just like a jet-black shot of espresso, this new Nali Patio
café will more than satiate your daily fix.
Daily, 10am-8pm
1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
三里屯北街81号那里花园A116
150 1080 9311
Photos: Kyle Mullin, courtesy of Barista Specialty
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