Sixth Arrondissement
Straying just a few hundred meters west of Nanluo Guxiang, 6th District Café is an endearing attempt to inject something fresh into the area's café culture. The intended charm of the small bohemian venture, named for the owner’s favorite neighborhood in Paris, however, is beset by contradictions. The menu announces the profundity of the Chinese history that permeates the café's geographical location, but after passing through the traditional Chinese latticed window entry, little of the very clean interior seems Sinological. The Cranberry Cheesecake (￥22) is deliciously rich, but the Mexican Chili Pizza (￥28/6", ￥59/9") was overpriced for its size and tasted a bit microwaved. Alas, it is admittedly difficult to expect much from a Chinese café that aims to be Western, but at least 6th District makes a decent espresso for an acceptable ￥20.

Michael Engstrom

Contact: 41 Mao'er Hutong, 冒儿胡同41号, 6401-2529