Ring Zhao of Bar Choice has done it again—this time creating Full House 满堂, a gorgeous bar space at the Bund Finance Center.
READ MORE: Bar Choice: Cocktails from a Tea Field of Dreams
Full House bar. Image courtesy of Full House
The latest venue introduces two new partners: Mango Yang, an experienced sommelier, and Chad Zhu, a Parisian-trained chef formerly of Huantao, Dangxia, and Ambra.
Adding to the venture’s prestige, the project is co-founded with Qi Yingjie, an Intangible Cultural Heritage Master of West Lake Longjing Tea.
Window seating looking out on the patio. Image courtesy of Full House
The boutique location is intimate, arranged to accommodate groups, duos, or singles, allowing them to enjoy the space and relax enough to chat with others seated nearby.
Looking up to the tall ceiling, soft, muted lighting evokes the tranquil hues of dusk.
Image courtesy of Full House
Thoughtful details abound, from jade-colored tiles to walls textured with spent tea leaves mixed into the paint.
Image courtesy of Full House
Single branches stem from vases, reaching upward, and the space can easily be described as Zen—with al fresco seating on a tree-lined patio.
Full House patio. Image courtesy of Full House
As expected from a collaboration with Longjing, the cocktails are predominantly green tea–based, and feature a stunning array of flavors organized into four categories: Fresh, Umami, Classic Remix, and Eastern Spirit Odyssey.
The cocktails are masterminded by Vesper Song, the creative brain behind Bar Choice beverages, and are all priced at RMB108.
Kale & Longjing (RMB108): Longjing Tea, Tabb Baijiu, Sauvignon Blanc, Kale, Jasmine, Green Grapes. Photo by Heather Millet / That’s
Under 'Fresh,' the menu opens with the Kale & Longjing—which runs true to the zest of green tea, and has an essence of baijiu without being overtaken, as well as a distinct green grape note.
Jasmine, kale and Sauvignon Blanc are all relaxed in the cocktail; it is indeed refreshing.
Umami Dashi Tomato (RMB108): Umami Green Tea, Mezcal, Lemon Leaf, Dashi Consomme, Tomato, Raspberry, Green Chilli. Image courtesy of Full House
In the next category, 'Umami,' we find the Umami Dashi Tomato, which is an eye-rolling mouthful of flavor, mixing the richness of dashi soup with smoky mezcal, ending on tomato and raspberry.
The balance is seamless.
Yunnan Forest Root Elixir (RMB108): Four Seasons tea, Bourbon, Mushroom, Brown Butter, Carrot, Rhubarb, Bergamot. Image courtesy of Full House
While the Yunnan Forest Root Elixir reads like a witch's cauldron of woodland foraging—carrot, rhubarb, mushrooms, and bergamot all swirling in the brew—the taste is a transportive delight; brown butter forward, subtle on white mushroom, and all too easy to gulp down despite a base of Wild Turkey bourbon.
Blue Cheese Basque Cake (RMB58) with Yunnan Forest Root Elixir cocktail
The Elixir pairs well with another surprise on the menu, the Blue Cheese Basque Cake (RMB58), a Chef Zhu specialty.
Longjing Martini (RMB108): Longjing Tea Powder, The Botanist Gin, Sake, Magnolia Blossom, Dalon Dry Vermouth. Photo by Heather Millet / That’s
For a true 'Eastern Spirit Odyssey,' the Longjing Martini provides Instagrammable presentation with a spent tea leaf smoke bubble ready to pop before drinking.
The smokiness lingers throughout the imbibing of the beverage—dry and true to the heart of a martini, yet a voyage far from origin indeed.
Longjing Tea Infused Prawns (RMB88). Image courtesy of Full House
Full House is currently open from 6pm for early dinner and drinks, staying open until 2am for the late crowd, and will soon add lunch hours.
Sommelier Mango Yang is ensuring a wine list of over 30 selections, while Chef Zhu’s fusion experiments include signature dishes like Longjing Tea-Infused Prawns (RMB88)......
Image courtesy of Full House
... Wok-Seared Beef Brisket Fat (RMB68)…
Image courtesy of Full House
... and Drunken Assorted Seafood (RMB98).
For cocktail enthusiasts, the latest of the Bar Choice universe is a must. Make it to Full House for a full meal, wine, snacks and most importantly for transportive cocktails.
Daily, 6pm-2am*
*Lunch hours will begin end of April
Full House 满堂 by Bar Choice, 106A, N1, The Bund Finance Center (BFC), 600 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, by Renmin Lu, Huangpu District 中山东二路600号, 近人民路
[Cover image courtesy of Full House by Bar Choice]
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