Take a Load Off at Annie’s New Via Aperitivo at Ritan Park and Guanghua Lu

It’s been almost a year and a half since Annie’s opened the new concept deli shop/restaurant Antipasteria for traditional Italian cold cuts, olives, and salads at their Guanghua Lu branch. Recently, they proudly announced the launch of the new Via Aperitivo at the Ritan Park and Guanghua Lu branches. No, it’s not taking over the Italian restaurant Aperitivo nestled at Sanlitun Soho, but a new concept bar. If you understand the definition of "aperitivo," it all might make more sense – a social meeting of friends enjoying cocktails (normally a mix with Aperol or Campari) and hors d'oeuvres, basically the Italian take on Spanish tapas bars.

The Guanghua Lu branch we visited has a selection of six cocktails (RMB 45-68): spritz, sparkling sorbet, iced coffee borghetti, negroni sbagliato, Sicily cooler, and Milano breeze. The spritz we tried was classic and mixed with sparkling wine and Aperol. The bartender also has a special Yellow Duck (mixed with Galliano vanilla-flavored liqueur and vodka) with a slice of apple cut into the shape of a duck on the rim of your glass.

If you don’t fancy cocktails, there are two white wines and five red wines (RMB 35-80 per glass) to choose from, or you can go for the sets, such as smoked salmon with truffle salad and a glass of Prosecco for RMB 108; Mediterranean salad, truffle risotto, and a glass of Jorio red wine for RMB 148; coppa and pecorino, ricotta cheese and a glass of white wine or spritz for RMB 78; or Daniele ham, parmesan cheese, and a glass of red wine or spritz fro RMB 88. To keep you going, they also offer snacks for free, such as cold cuts, hand-cut chips, cheese, grilled artichoke, olives, grilled bell peppers, and pickles.

We were told that they want people to take their time here, and relax while enjoying the food and drinks. “If you have a long and tiring day, nothing will go wrong with a spritz. If you are not satisfied with the options on the drink menu, just tell the bartender your needs and he will mix a special one for you," who will serve as your personal drink-slinging therapist to soothe your soul. People can come to the bar area just for the drink, or warm up their appetite while waiting for a table. You can also enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free deal on cocktails or a glasses of Prosecco every Friday during happy hour, from 6-8pm. Via Aperitivo at Annie's Ritan Park and Guanghua Lu branches are open daily from 4.30pm-late.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of Annie's, Tracy Wang