Par for the Course: Nali Newbie Follows Suit
If you were expecting the newest Nali Patio resident to be forged in the mold of its zany predecessor, Saddle Cantina, then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s an upgrade, no doubt, but it’s also feels ever so slightly derivative. Yeah, Parnas is chic and it offers the well-heeled an alternative to the regular glass elevator ride up to Migas, especially now that the terrace has closed. But it’s hardly anything new to this corner of Sanlitun that seems to have developed into a sort of Mediterranean-style lounge clusterin recent times.
The first floor makes up the main bar, polished but underwhelming with little setting it apart from the more established Nali residents. The second floor serves as a French-fusion restaurant, and in reality, Parnas might be better served with a return visit to the upper floor, but it wasn’t open at the time of writing.
One area where it bears no resemblance to the previous tenant: Parnas has certainly been attracting a more discerning crowd than its forebear did, and it shows in the price list. The RMB 40 region is where prices start for a beer, while mixed drinks and cocktails get going at RMB 50 and RMB 60, respectively, with nary a frozen margarita in sight.
The terrace area has undergone a truly grand makeover. The planking and functional wooden furniture of yore has been replaced with varnished wicker, vibrantly colored comfy sofas, and a slick long bar which can seat 12.
Parnas probably isn’t what the Nali block was lacking with Migas, Fez and Apothecary already ingrained, especially during the warmer months. But now that the terraces are somewhat out of action, it should certainly pose a fresh challenge to the Nali collective.
Parnas
Daily 11am-2pm. 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (5288 7665)
北京市朝阳区三里屯北路81号 那里花园一层 900m northwest of Tuanjiehu station (Line 10)
Also try: Fez, The Bar at Migas
Read about more new venues in the Beijinger's December issue.
Photo: Ken
