Mosto Is Back and They Made the Most of It

Mosto dipped out of sight just before the October holiday, and with it, its chairs, along with the space as we knew it. As planned, it returned in less than two weeks, fresh with a redesign, a new bar menu, expanded hours, and a smattering of dishes that made our mouth water. And, of course, new chairs.

The modern seats (think pale wood and corduroy upholstery) and the brighter, more flexible space was courtesy of interior architecture firm, Coromoto, who you may remember from the Moka Bros and Modo spaces, as well as Gung Ho!'s new space. Mosto also acquired a spiffy, futuristic-looking logo that lights up the bar. What has resulted from the holiday reshuffling is a more versatile space that allows friends to either meet in the bar or grab a bite at one of the smart, new seats .

We sipped what we wish would have been cheekily called a "Mosto" Mule from the signature cocktail list, curated by award-winning Migas' head mixologist Francesco Angotti, while we test drove some of the new bar menu items. Chef Daniel Urdaneta has outdone himself with a selection of fairly priced bites that tackle all corners of the tongue, like the slightly spicy salmon ceviche and the smorrebroed, a finger-sized slice of buttered rye cradling a slab of slippery brie, a dollop of pear jam and a touch of basil. A RMB 25 serving comes with three, but we wanted infinitely more.

But wait, there are more sandwich bites: A beef tarter smorrebroed with pickle and dill and terrine on toast, slathered with grain mustard. We put them head to head and couldn't agree on a winner. Our suggestion? Try them all.

For dinner, guests can choose from the regular menu, which has undergone a few changes, or sample here and there via a five-course tasting menu for RMB 298.

Catch them during their new hours:

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am-5pm
Dinner: Sun-Thu 5.30-10pm, Fri-Sat 7.30-10.30pm
Bar: Sun-Thu 11.30am-3pm, 5.30-11pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-1am
Brunch: Sat-Sun 10am-3pm

Mosto
3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5208 6030)
朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层

Photos: Jessica Rapp and Iain Shaw