Wine and Cheese, Please

Living anywhere outside Beijing’s bustling bar districts means a dearth of neighborhood joints suitable for a drink and a bite pre- or post-night out. Luckily for residents in the fast-developing Pingod area, Dao Le is a funky, low-key watering hole that’s perfect for neighbors and visitors to the nearby Today Art Museum. Eschewing the capital’s bigger-is-better mentality, Dao Le fills a niche with its small and intimate space. Long and narrow, with gauzy curtains sectioning off seating areas with comfy couches, Dao Le’s setup can also be re-arranged to accommodate large groups. The owners, who run the bar themselves, are friendly, knowledgeable and give the place a sense of familiarity lacking in many larger venues. We loved the traditional cheese fondue (¥98), and the assorted cheese pockets (¥39) with feta, spinach and potato fillings that arrived paired with appropriate glasses of white wine from the extensive wine list. For those who don’t know their vintage, Dao Le’s wine list includes possible food pairings for each bottle, and their daily happy hour two-for-one wine by the glass special (glasses start at ¥38) from 5-8pm is a great way to unwind after a long day at the office.

Laura Fitch