Vin Vie: An Incredible Inconspicuous Fusion Izakaya
Posted: December 1st, 2013 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Bao Yuan Dumpling House 宝源饺子屋, Chaoyang Park West Gate, izakaya, Japanese food, Kagen, Maizidian, Middle Kingdom Fitness, Tim Hill, Tori Tei BBQ, Vin Vie, wine, Yakitori | 12 Comments »You Know You’ve Found Something Special When You Step Inside Vin Vie
I was just recently introduced to Vin Vie 萬火and it blew me away. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a new find. And it isn’t even new. It’s been around for at least a couple of years, but its inconspicuous location tucked behind a narrow, dark alley in Maizidian (not far from Baoyuan Dumplings) near Chaoyang Park West Gate ensures that only the most adamant and determined foodies will be rewarded with the knowledge that such a special gem exists in Beijing.
I’ve heard Vin Vie’s name thrown about here and there, I’ve heard people sing its praises, but with such a long list of restaurants on my “To Taste List”, it just unfortunately got pulled down the pecking order until it was almost forgotten about. That was, until fellow foodie Tim Hill, of Middle Kingdom Fitness put Vin Vie back on my radar by including it as one of his top three favorite restaurants in Beijing. With someone who’s been there before, I was on a mission to see what the fuss was all about.
…and it was a mission to find! When I say that it’s tucked away and hidden, I’m really not exaggerating. I definitely recommend memorizing the map below to make sure you don’t waste hours wandering around lost in Maizidian. When you’re looking down the little hutong it’s on, all that indicates its existence is a little red light box at its entrance door.
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