[ Lover ]

lover

Broken bridges are constantly broken, lonely mountains are not lonely,

I came to Hangzhou to have a relationship,

It is inevitable to go to the West Lake.

After all, in beautiful places, people can easily help themselves.

Many years ago, I heard the elderly say,"Clear West Lake is not as good as rainy West Lake, and rainy West Lake is not as good as foggy West Lake." I didn't fully understand it until I saw the gentle look of West Lake on Gem Mountain. I finally understood that I used to just walk by the West Lake and look at the back of my head. It was obviously imagination, but it was understanding.

The photo on the top of the mountain is nearly a hundred years old. It seems to be the destination for lovers to visit the West Lake, but when you look down, you realize that it is only the beginning! Even smog is the peak of the high-level yellow color in Song paintings.

Besides,"The Fog West Lake is not as good as the Snow West Lake." I don't want to talk about the state of mind of Zhang Dai, the artist in "Watching the Snow at the Lake Pavilion". My perception is that it is like God taking a pen on the spot and covering the late autumn yellow with a layer of white. Midwinter white, that is white with vitality and warmth. Listening to Mr. Liang Wendao's speech that day, he said bluntly that there were many kinds. Consciousness could not be framed by education. There were moonlight white that made people lonely, and there were white that made people warm. For example, the kind on Apple phones, with a little bit of invisible yellow added. I think the white color of West Lake belongs to this kind. Otherwise, the white color of "a man in a lonely boat with a feather and a feather fishing alone in the cold river" may make people see too much and become widowed. Sounds logically perfect. Now I am following the script to my friends in other places like this. I swallowed it and began to doubt myself: What about West Lake that night?

Hangzhou turned out to have no nightlife.

It was snowing heavily in 2008. I remember that I went to see "Broken Bridge and Remnant Snow" with a person who never said he liked me. It wasn't just snow. It snowed all night and was as high as knees. There were no cars, no open shops by the West Lake, and only street lights trembling with the wind. I realized that if I didn't get out of the snowy road, I would freeze to death on the roadside. It was simply snow that made one's body and soul strong. He held my hand and walked until dawn. Naturally, there was no need to say he liked me again, and I would not ask if he liked me. Night West Lake, from then on, I have a love but unannounced temperament in my heart.

But this is the last time. Unless I have to, if I don't have a cold cocktail next to me, I will never have such a childish and hard-working relationship again. What's more, in this oily sauna day, adults need to be cool!

The legendary bomb shelter bar is open!

From then on, you can go to the cave next to the West Lake to get drunk...

At this time, I was in Hangzhou's only bomb shelter bar,"Mr. Drunken", backed by Baoshi Mountain and facing West Lake. I can't help but sigh that nowadays lovers are so happy! Boss Xiao Xie said that in fact, it would only officially open on the 28th, but the Chinese Valentine's Day had already begun to welcome enthusiastic customers.

Xiao Xie, the boss in front of him, is a new upstart in Hangzhou's bar circle and has a background in music. "At that time, the bar was opened purely to provide a place for nightlife by the West Lake. I am a foreigner and like to drink alcohol by the West Lake. I think that only has a sense of ceremony. It's so beautiful to sway when you're slightly drunk. Sometimes I get drunk and walk around Beishan Road with whiskey cigarettes. It's very happy. Sometimes I will meet familiar guests walking hand in hand by the West Lake. I will be embarrassed to meet me. But I am very happy, haha ~"

Xiao Xie teased and lamented that the earliest Shuguang Road and Nanshan Road Bar Street in Hangzhou were now in decline."Including Beishan Road, they are all gone now. I want to set off the atmosphere of nightlife around the West Lake. There is nothing under the lights. It is not like the prosperous, vibrant and pyrotechnic West Lake of the Song Dynasty. The West Lake is particularly beautiful during the day. When traveling to Hangzhou, people should be chanting poems by the West Lake at two o'clock in the morning, but now it is quiet at night."

"Old man, when there are no bars, at least it's interesting to have a date in bomb shelters or climb Gem Mountain." Coupled with Xiao Xie's own fascination with the bar's original design style, this bomb shelter bar in front of Baoshi Mountain on the West Lake was created.

The beautiful scenery of the West Lake is faintly visible between the sycamore trees, which is another beauty visible on the gem mountainside.

The water in Baoshi Mountain gurgles through, and the light and shadow of old Hangzhou are still visible at the entrance of the bomb shelter downstairs. I feel the moss covered rocks quietly saying in my ears,"Love is an adventure."

It was a real bomb shelter that had existed since the 1980s. It was very long inside, with small rooms and storage rooms, and people enjoyed the cool at the door. The dome of the bar also tells this story, quietly integrating with the rocks.

Xiao Xie couldn't help but be fascinated by this place: "Mr. Drunken is all beside the West Lake, at the foot of the Baoshi Mountain, and there are also willow waves nearby. The West Lake in Hangzhou is a good place for nightlife. The bar has a special impact on the West Lake in Hangzhou at night."

In Xiao Xie's eyes, Hangzhou's bar industry has passed through three periods and has a small history.

And he is always at the forefront of this history.

The reason why he is qualified to speak is that Jiuyin, a famous Hangzhou night store where he and toot partnered, is a Whampoa Military Academy that brought out the managers of well-known bars in Hangzhou on the front line. On the other hand, Xiao Xie is actually a witness to the growth of Hangzhou bars. "When I first came to Hangzhou, I went out to drink every day. The thing I heard most about was the prosperity of Nanshan Road Street, Nade Bar, which was full of passion. What attracted everyone at that time was to have fun. Friends and brothers became friends with the boss. Everyone went to the familiar bar every few days. I get off work every night, and the purpose of working every day is to go to the bar to get high."

Different from bar people who like to dance tudi, Xiao Xie is a literary and artistic person, probably due to his background in music. "When I first arrived, the most popular ones were Traveler and Hagen. Shuguang Road is all over the street, and there are bands in the bar. That was the heyday of Hangzhou bars. Beer, dice, and bands are the regular menu. Nader, the fire cicada became an old captain, but the wine wasn't good, but everyone didn't care. As long as there was music." Xiao Xie recalled and his eyes were filled with nostalgia, but he was still unwilling.

"To sum up, before 2008, music dominated, and the old independent musicians in China all came from bars. But there wasn't even whiskey. 08-11 Music and alcohol are not good. In 11 years, the wine has been hidden and the environment is average, but the wine is good, and drinking brings emotion."

"But since last year, before the epidemic, there have been changes. 11-19 Everyone has requirements for alcohol in the year 2000 and feels that cocktails and whisky are the right thing. Alcohol has a hidden credit. Nowadays, there are bars like ours all over Hangzhou. Good wine, good music, and the style of the environment is becoming more and more important. It is necessary to have a comprehensive identity."

I questioned: You don't just play with this! Sure enough, he smiled knowingly.

Food and wine do not delay!

Even if the purpose is extremely strong, I can't help but advise my mother-in-law: Although you can't eat until you are full in love, you must still eat, otherwise you will have no physical strength!

"Are the dishes delicious with wine here?"

"Of course!" toot, Mr. Drunken's partner, answered confidently.

Mr. Zui is Hangzhou's first Gastropub, a very popular gourmet restaurant in the world. toot is also the leader of the behind-the-scenes meal and wine taste matching."But we only prepare prepared dishes with wine, there is no dinner, and wine is still the protagonist."

In the transformation of Hangzhou bars in the past two years, owners have only considered less and less costs. Adding food is one of the common good ways to improve the experience. "Chinese people still like to drink with food. Food is a better enjoyment, and bars have transformed into restaurants and become a mixture. I like to go to Taipei bars. The dishes are delicious. I also value the dishes when I drink myself. I don't have to eat if I drink, but it's actually unreasonable to drink at dinner. My stomach is filled with vegetables."

But I personally feel that Hangzhou's traditional side dishes with wine are more suitable for Chinese high-quality wine, while cocktails or whisky with more varied structures are difficult to fall in love with heavy-flavored side dishes. Electric coupling requires lighter dishes. Xiao Xie and I have discussed this specifically, and we have the same view. Hangzhou's traditional dishes with wine, such as pickled duck, are served with wine parties to compete for flavor because they are too salty. "The snacks I like to eat in Hangzhou are similar to Shaoxing, such as boiled peanuts in salt, which are too salty. The dishes with wine should be rich in flavor, but they should not be too heavy and salty. Salty food tastes bitter after eating. The cocktail will affect the taste of the wine, and they should not be too sweet." Xiao Xie said.

In this regard, Wenzhou people, who are addicted to night wine, have the most say.

To be said to be the originator of all-powerful dishes with wine, toot and Xiao Xie both thought of the same thing, which was the lard residue from Wenzhou (similar to Jiangsu Yaxi Pig Head Cream). The popularity of eating lard dregs in Hangzhou bars started from the hidden wine. The method of eating is simple, that is, cut open and dipped in vinegar.

The biggest difference between Wenzhou lard residue and ordinary lard residue as we understand it is that it contains lean meat. Add seasonings before making, and cook after compaction, and serve with strong spirits. Xiao Xie said with a smile,"Now other bars are also starting to be opened. Many friends from Chengdu, Shenyang and Shanghai have come to me to buy them, saying that Wenzhou lard dregs are delicious. This was actually made by the stall in the small vegetable market downstairs of our own house. We bought their direct supply and supported their family. They were workshops, but later the quantity was too large and a factory was established."

"Lard and dregs are a versatile choice. They can go with all whisky pure drinks. As long as you can eat pork, you can go with whisky."

Or lard dregs are also good with refreshing cocktails, such as this cup of "Asamari" created by the chief bartender.

"Ayabali"

The name comes from the comic book character, the Evangelical Warrior of the New Century, and smells of matcha.

Xiao Xie also has a special dish that he wants to promote with wine, which is pickled beef and Wenzhou beef. He specially selects one with a more balanced ratio of tendons and meat. "Sauce beef, when I was a child, I had it in Wenzhou's nightlife and drinking. On the way from my hometown to the county town, we pass through Huayang Town. Every time we pass by, we will stop. The most famous ones are beef, dried tofu, and foie gras. You must order it."

"Mr. Drunken's first signature cocktail is" Gem Mountain ", which contains gin, dry white wine, an ounce of ginger-flavored liqueur, a grapefruit wine, and an herbal wine. It expresses the flavor reflected in the mountain. It is paired with colorful leaves and has a little waxy aroma. The main tone is the flavor of gin and herbal flavor. You can find some ginger flavor after the aftertaste, because ginger grows at the foot of the mountain. There is also some waxy aroma. Find the flavors of cherries and chestnuts. It is actually a seasonal drink that represents Hangzhou's autumn." Be good always.

"Gem Mountain"

"Wine dish" is the name of the combination of this group of wine dishes. It includes spicy octopus, dried wind eel, grilled fish fins and sour radish. You can be dipped in the seven-flavor powder mayonnaise on the side. The sour radish is used to relieve the boredom and clear the mouth., resolve the flavor between each wine dish.

The seafood is salty and fresh, and this is also suitable for heavy-weight whiskies, such as Buhradi Pocha.

I like the snack abalone roll with wine. It is chicken skin on the outside, rotten skin in the middle, and vegetarian abalone inside. I have eaten it in Wenzhou before and I still unforgettable it.

The bartender always said that he would pair it with old fashion, with a classic type. The abalone roll dipped in mustard soy sauce. The abalone roll has a slight smoky flavor and goes well with old fashion or pure whiskey drinks.

Abalone Roll with JURA12-year-old

While we were talking, a grilled sausage platter arrived. There were four different chewy and fillings in it. The spices were balanced and greasy, and it was served with pickled cabbage and yellow mustard sauce, which was just for sausage lovers to feast on.

The chief bartender always served him with a cocktail "Yin", Tiger. Boss Xiao Xie joked that the bartender was narcissistic and created his own wine named after the zodiac attribute. He won the 2019 Baijiu Cocktail World Cup championship. Guai always said that this base wine was white wine, and the inspiration for creation came from his mother, which contained the herbal medicine of Sichuan lovage. "My mother cooked medicine when I was at school. I can't forget the smell." After listening to it, my heart warmed.

In addition to this combination, Xiao Xie said that the roasted sausage is also very good with the ocean style and smoky flavor and the whiskey in bourbon barrels."Teska, Abbe, and Genting are particularly good. I like them all."

The fried Chaoshan beef meatballs are suitable for matching wine with a refreshing taste. Guai always recommended one of his own wine that has been highly praised recently, which is "He". "There is gin wine in it, mixed with rice wine, and the flavor of osmanthus. They are all from Zhejiang, so it is called 'harmony'." Be good always.

"Beef meatballs don't have to be paired with traditional cocktails. Beef meatballs have the taste of seawater, have fresh elasticity inside, a little smoky taste, and are quite barbecued. It's not suitable at the end. If you eat it first, you may have suppressed the taste. You can find a whiskey with a taste of seawater to match it." Xiao Xie said.

In the end, Guai always made us several "girl wines" that girls prefer, including a "green grasshopper". The flavor of mint and vanilla is like a girl's ice cream. The cup on the side is peach-flavored, called "Super Delicious". The flavor of milk and peach is charming.

"Super delicious" left and "Green Grasshopper" right

There is also a special cup with American coffee called "fluoxetine", which has the same name as an antidepressant and is used to treat my "Internet suppression".

"Atlantis"

Mr. Drunken's current wine list design is at the intersection of summer and autumn, giving an ambiguous feeling. "Atlantis" uses Blue Orange Liqueur, which has coconut and chestnut flavors and is topped with a vanilla ice cream ball. "There are two forms of this. Normal drinking is sour. The second is to stir the ice cream, but the taste is definitely not greasy." I think it'll be a dessert to finish.

I subconsciously looked at Mr. Drunken's storage bar. It was indeed solid and had all the best wines on the front line. No wonder it was reported that the wine mix was as calm as a museum, giving drunks who loved eating more choices.

When the wine was drunk, I couldn't hold the camera steadily, but the water and sky wine had become the same color. I think I have finally found the meaning of the beauty of the West Lake at night.

The goddess asked

What do you like to go with wine?

Mr. Zui's address:

No. 49 Shuguang Road, Hangzhou City (opposite Huanglong Hotel)

Officially opened on August 28

"The rime hangs,

Sky and clouds, mountains and water,

The top and bottom are white.

Shadow on the lake,

Except for a trace on the long embankment,

A little pavilion in the center of the lake,

I'm at odds with Yu Zhou,

It's only two or three grains for the people on the boat."

--"Watching the Snow in the Lake Pavilion" Zhang Dai of Ming Dynasty

Food Bless You!

Consultant for China International Food Expo

Producer of "God's Table"