H3 Usurps Blue Marlin for Similar American-style Dining and a Cheap Happy Hour in Liangmaqiao

Judging by the number of people enjoying happy hour on the terrace the first time we visited, American-style bar and restaurant H3 won't need much introduction for many in the Liangmaqiao area. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Blue Marlin, H3 is a good option if you're looking for casual dining and good value drinks in this part of town.

The three-story space boasts plentiful seating inside (seriously, you could easily lose a party of 100 in there), a rooftop terrace that is expected to open after the October holiday, and a street-side terrace out front. The latter is a good place to enjoy H3's generous happy hour, which runs from 2-8pm daily and starts from as low as RMB 20 for a pint of Heineken. We didn't get chance to try their other drinks but the happy hour also includes cocktails such as whiskey sour and tequila sunrise for RMB 28.

Food-wise, the menu runs the gamut of casual, "American-style" dining, including burgers, pizzas, Tex Mex dishes, and grilled and barbecued meats. Judging by a nosey look at everyone else's tables, burgers are the main draw here, with a double cheeseburger setting you back RMB 78.

However, we were most impressed by the pizzas, in particular, the thin-crust options, which feature crispy edges and a soft center. Our black truffle parma ham pizza (RMB 108) had a good balance of parma ham and arugula to melty mozzarella cheese, with just a hint of black truffle flavor. The chef explained to us that they make their eye-catching black crust using a combination of black rye flour and regular wheat flour.

Don't sleep on the roast pork knuckle (RMB 178), which is tender enough to compete with the varieties served by some of the German restaurants around the city, although we weren't so impressed by the flavorless mashed potatoes on the side.

As restaurants in Beijing are wont to do, H3 has been in "soft opening" for a while now but they will hold their official opening party on Friday, Sep 20. From 6-8pm, enjoy complimentary free-flow drinks, alongside live music and a pool competition. From 8pm onwards there will be a lucky draw and other performances. No need to pre-register, just show up and join in.

H3
Daily, 11am-2am. 4 Dongsanhuan Beilu (opposite the Korean Embassy), Chaoyang District (6462 9976)
H3 和美式餐吧：朝阳区东三环北路4号(韩国大使馆对面)

READ: 7 Inexpensive and Indispensable Chinese Cooking Tools Every Kitchen Needs

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Images: Robynne Tindall, courtesy of H3