Vineyard Café: Old Favorite Survives Wudaoying Closure With New Chaowai Soho Kitchen

Though longtime Beijingers have fond memories of the pioneering Western food at Vineyard Café since it opened a decade ago, owner Will Yorke wasn’t exactly devastated when his restaurant was shut down along with a number of neighboring Wudaoying Hutong venues this past spring. After all, he already had many other irons in the fire, including Stuff’d around the corner and, more famously, the Arrow Factory brewery on the Liangma River.

Now, the British restaurateur is bringing a similarly eclectic spirit to his new, leaner Chaowai Soho Vineyard Café. Primarily a takeaway joint (you can find them easily on Sherpa's), the snug venue also has enough tables for a handful of patrons who’ll be able to watch the chefs busily ready their orders from the adjacent open kitchen. Among those menu items are many of the oldie-but-goodies that Vineyard first made its name with, like thin crust pizzas piled high with toppings (ranging from RMB 46-60 for 12-inch pies) and various sandwiches (priced around RMB 50 each).

But the real reason to get excited about this new location is the creativity to be found in the restaurant’s new dishes. Their vegetarian pizza (RMB 49 for a round, nine-inch pie or RMB 60 for a 12-inch square pizza), for instance, is topped with smoked tofu and mixed pepper in a combination that is savory enough to tempt even the most dedicated of meat eaters. Then there’s a more faithful take on the irresistible classic corned beef Reuben sandwich, featuring sauerkraut, cheddar, Russian dressing, sour cream, and mayo on rye bread (RMB 56). We were especially impressed, however, by the Texas barbecue pork ribs. This generous 550g rack of ribs, succulently slow-cooked alongside Arrow Factory suds and chargrilled with a passion fruit barbecue sauce, will set you back a mere RMB 99.

Those scrumptious eats and affordable prices help the new Vineyard retain the down home feel of its predecessor. Yorke is also brainstorming some unique offerings like prepped briskets and sausages that can be delivered and quickly readied at home, making prep for your next barbecue a breeze. That, along with plans to film social media cooking clips in the open kitchen and tempting new menu items, is an indication that the long beloved Vineyard will more than maintain its already considerable staying power.

Vineyard Café
Daily 11am-10pm. 5085, 5/F, Block C, Chaowai Soho, Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝外大街朝外Soho C座5层 5085

Photos: Uni You