4corners First Look - Plus Friday 13th Free Beer Party!

Chef Jun Trinh – you may remember him from such food ventures as Luga’s Pho Pho, or ad-ventures like his TV show on China’s Travel Channel where he tours the country and beyond seeking culinary recipes and inspiration. His first solo F&B project in Beijing, 4corners, is in the making, housed in what used to be The Orange Tree close to Gulou and Houhai Lake.

“We’ve broke down 4corners as food, drinks art and people,” says Jun, sitting in the back room (with real fireplace!) together with business partner Tavey, an old friend from Texas who sings soul and funk and hosts an open mic night at VA Bar. The food? Dishes that represent Jun’s heritage as a Vietnamese Laotian Chinese with a Canadian background. “I’m going to be playing with deli stuff like terrines, Canadian bacon, Montreal smoked meat, and Vietnamese smoked meats and fish.” In the back, an open kitchen can transform to full-open air for the summer, serving the courtyard with meat off the grill and wok dishes.

The “art” comes courtesy of Tavey’s music background (there’s a stage in the front beside the bar and a wooden floor for dancing) and they plan to be a center for Latin cultural events in the city, reflecting Jun’s love of Brazilian martial art capoeira. “We’ve also got art jams planned, and nights where groups of friends pay some money, come and drink and get a canvas to paint together.” Sounds dangerous.

Drinks? “I’m a whiskey lover so expect to see lots of boutique bottles,” says Jun, “plus wine, cognac, Belgian beers – and we’re just putting the finishing touches to our winter cocktail menu.”

Past customers of The Orange Tree will be amazed at what they've done to the place. Wooden beams and general hutong chintz still characterize the decor, but the bar has been shifted and extended, freeing up a nice big space in the front for drinking, dancing and all that stuff.

Set to open in the coming weeks, they are hosting a special Friday 13th Party tonight for the non-superstitious among you. It kicks off at 8pm with a free keg of Beijing beer from 9-10pm (or until it runs out), and drinks specials like 3 for 2 on Veddett.

27 Dashibei Hutong (near Yandai Xiejie, north of Houhai lake), Xicheng District
西城区大石碑胡同27号（后海烟袋斜街附近)