Nestgram Re-Nests at Ritan Park with Rainbow-Colored Pastries and Hot Drinks

Not everyone could survive the Great Brickening, but it only takes time for those with a strong will to carry on to rise again. Unlike their former neighbor Bei 27 Hao, who moved to Nali Patio, Taiwanese-style bakery Nestgram relocated near – and doubled in size after closing their location at Sanlitun Beili which opened a year ago.

We noticed that they have chosen another relatively quiet location again, at Ritan Shangjie with a bunch of not-so-crowded restaurants to the north of Ritan Park. They've also upgraded their décor with a more minimalist style – simple white lamps, grey walls, and delicate knickknacks. A large bar where the staff makes drinks is surrounded by high stools, with several marble tables throughout the space. Simply speaking, it is a nice place to take some foodie pictures and some selfies with your besties.

The drink menu has expanded, with seven coffees (RMB 23-37), five hot winter drinks (RMB 27-37), special teas and blended juices (RMB 23-32), five bird’s nest drinks (RMB 43), and enzyme and yogurt drinks (RMB 27-32). We opted for the milk with ginger & chestnut (RMB 32) of the seasonal warm winter drinks, which was prepared and served promptly. It was a proper Christmas drink, with warming and spicy aromas benefiting from the shredded ginger and chopped chestnut at the bottom of the drink.

On the dessert menu, instead of playing it safe by going for the lovely Swiss rolls, we went for something rare: The “Lazy Alan” (RMB 37) is made up of salty minced pork between layers of cake. It was served frozen and the cake was quite hard and slightly sweet, while the layer of pork was savory, and covered with savory ham and pork floss. It was odd, and if you have tried the Cantonese dessert jizaibing –  a chicken-shaped pastry seasoned with sugar, five-spice powder, salt, pepper powder, and garlic – you might understand it. If not, we suggest you try the “normal” cakes (RMB 37-67) instead, such as coconut banana cake, black sesame cake, opera cake, carrot cake, matcha brownie, or the Swiss rolls (RMB 107 for seven flavors). Among the breads, the bagel-like yellow bread (RMB 27) with mango and fig filling was our favorite. They also offer the colorful toasts, cholegg (baozi-like bread with salted egg and different fillings, RMB 17-27), as well as some more traditional breads.

We were disappointed that – unlike at their former location, where the visual impact of so many colorful pastries hit your like a crowded flower shop – the new branch hides them along the wall, has a limited number of colorful breads, and that they're now all wrapped in plastic. What a shame: The half-transparent bag steals a lot of the glory of the lovely pastries, lowering the desire for people to try them all.

Even though it’s not yet Christmas, some businesses are locked and loaded for the festivities. Nestgram is one of them – there is a table with Christmas-related gift boxes and plastic Christmas trees for people to grab and go. The service was impeccable, the staff was kind and inviting, and the breads and treats (though now somewhat concealed) are colorful as ever. We are sure that their rainbow-like pastries and drinks will lighten up the long, dim winter.

Nestgram
Daily 9am-9pm. 1-10, 39 Shenlu Jie, Chaoyang District (8572 8517)
巢7堂：朝阳区神路街39号1-10

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang