New Promising High Town Brewpub Takes Over Unsuccessful Particles Kitchen Nali Patio Spot
Fast changeovers are nothing new in Nali Patio, where High Town has taken the space previously occupied by Particles Kitchen less than a year after its opening.
From outside this new venue (which hopefully has more luck in this space), you can feel the straight-forward vibe coming off the black walls decorated with only their logo. Stepping inside, you will find that the 300-square-meter seating space is divided into two areas: the front is a bar complete with a blackboard naming the nine beers on tap, and a larger dining area is in the back. Behind the bar, you can get a glimpse of some of the brewing taking place.
If you couldn't tell already, High Town is quite big: 130 people can be seated comfortably, we were told by the manager, Jenny Zhao, who is a craft beer lover too. She said: “High Town is located on the second floor, which has a good view of the town. We consider beer to be a social lubricant, and getting high from beers is one the best feeling, hence our idea to name the space High Town.”
The menu is simple with various popular comfort food options: six different sandwiches (RMB 58-68), beef, masala chicken, lamb, pork, prawn, and veggie; four salads (RMB 58-68); two pastas, roasted Thai rice, pizza (RMB 68); and several other main dishes. You can also order snacks such as french fries, nachos, fried fish, and fried onion rings (RMB 18-48), if you're looking for something a little greasier to go along with your beers.
We ordered both the avocado and prawn salads (RMB 58-68), both of which were large and good value for their money, especially in the notoriously pricey Sanlitun. The salads were healthy too, with avocado, quinoa, red beans, sliced almond, tomatoes, red bell pepper, and sweet vinaigrette. The prawn salad felt a little bit more oriental, with fried prawn, artichoke, bamboo shoots, red bell pepper, and quinoa.
And oh boy, we didn't leave it at the salads. The quesadillas (RMB 68) were delicious and crispy, generously filled with tender chicken, sweet caramelized onion, spicy jalapeños, crunchy corn, fresh cilantro, bell pepper, and cheddar cheese.
As for the main dishes, we tried the roasted pork ribs (RMB 98 for two, RMB 168 for four), which were served with french fries and cranberry salad. The ribs were cooked with bourbon-barrelled ale, adding a kick of sweetness and layers of complex smoky flavors. We also tried the sauced beef, seasoned with cilantro, and mixed with toasted baby potatoes and fried mushrooms.
Because we weren't full just yet, we rounded off the meal with two desserts: cheesecake (RMB 38) and lava cake (RMB 58). The lava cake was rich irresistible, with hot chocolate flowing from its soft chewy core and onto the plate, accented with a scoop of tart strawberry ice cream and sweetened breadcrumbs.
The day we visited, they just brewed their own IPA and a wheat beer, which will be available until mid-November. Currently, there are nine imported beers on tap: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Kentucky IPA, No. 18 Milk Stout, Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, Firestone Ale 31, Finn Pilsner Lager, Foxes Rock Red Ale, Liefmans Cuvee Brut, and Cider Republic Apple Cider, all selected by Zhao. “Many of them are my favorite, especially the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale," she said.
So, of the 17 taps, only nine are currently being used, leaving eight to eventually be filled. Beers coming soon include Brewdog Jet Black Heart Nitro Milk Stout, Rogue Brutal IPA, and Tuatara Aeotearoa Pale Ale.
We can’t wait to come back and try their own onsite beers once brewed. We'll also be returning for the large portions of tasty homestyle food, not to mention that incredible lava cake.
High Town
Daily 10am-2am. D205, 2/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District (5208 6095)
海棠精酿: 朝阳区三里屯北街81号1幢那里花园二层D205
More stories by this author here.
Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure
Photos: Tracy Wang
