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China Dinner

Bailliage of China
Beijing, September 26, 2020

La Vendemmia - a harvest celebration
" A great relief to be emancipated from our masks! "

What a treat to enjoy “a mask free evening with Italian cuisine paired with Mediterranean wines and music.” Our anticipation was immense.

The world has vastly changed since our last event in January pre-COVID-19, especially in Beijing. We have undergone a first and second wave of the pandemic which greatly hindered and delayed our event schedule for 2020.

Finally, we were able to have our first post-COVID dinner in September. A great relief to be emancipated from our masks! We were able come together to celebrate something we all love, La Vendemmia “the harvest” at Frasca in The Opposite House Hotel located in downtown Beijing.

Thirty-six members and friends participated in this wonderful evening. We started on the patio where we sipped Aperol Spritzers and vintage cava - Codorniu Reina Maria Cristina Reserva 2014 - under the neon “stars” of Taikoo Li Sanlitun.

Chef Marino D’Antonio, who is a Maître Rôtisseur, put on a show for us filled with a variety of Italian delights complemented by Mediterranean wines from Italy, Spain and France.

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Iberico ham, Foie gras terrine
pistachio, mustard and chocolate flavour on brioche
Bodegas Vinessens Salicornio 2019 - Spain

New Zealand langoustine, yuzu mayonnaise
Oscietra caviar, fennel puree
Ponte da Boga Albarino 2018 - Spain

Oxtail consommé
clear oxtail broth, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano Cappelletti

Nova Scotia lobster, homemade cavatelli pasta
basil, sundry tomatoes, Mediterranean fish roe
Murgo Etna Rosso 2017 - Sicily, Italy

Lemon and mint sorbet

Roasted ‘Signature Series’ Australian pure blood
M9+ Mayura Wagyu tenderloin
whipped potatoes, Port wine sauce, seasonal vegetables
Alonso del Yerro 2015 - Spain

Pistachio crumble, custard, ice cream
Maury Grenat 2018 - Domaine Lafage, France

As we entered the dining hall we were greeted with alluring, immersive opera. Chef Marino had paired our food and wine with an aria for each course adding an auditory level of enjoyment to our meal.

The signature dish of the night was the M9+ Mayura tenderloin cooked to perfection and paired with a Spanish red - Alonso Del Yerro 2015 - and Nessun Dorma from Turandot sung by Pavarotti. The experience was divine!

At the end of the meal, the Opposite House staff had one last surprise for us.

Under our plates was a coaster which could be redeemed for a cocktail at the 1980s Sichuan-styled bar and restaurant called “Superfly” on the first floor. Naturally, we finished the evening on the Superfly patio drinking Chinese-influenced cocktails like the “Caucasian Asian” - a white Russian with peanut milk.

In closing, we expressed a huge thank you to The Opposite House/Frasca team, led by Chef Marino D’Antonio, and to Frank He for putting on an amazing dinner.

We want to give another appreciative shout out to Emilio Muedra Royo of Le Sommelier International for curating and supplying a fantastic selection of Mediterranean wines.

What a harvest celebration indeed!

Vive la Chaîne!

Preston Thomas
Vice-Chargé de Presse

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