Vin Vie is a modern Izakaya tucked away inconspicuously in the heart of Beijing's Embassy district. It's earned a reputation as the watering hole for Japanese embassy workers, and for good reason.

If you can find this place (hint: there's a sex shop across the street) you'll be duly rewarded. Don't let the clean, modern interior fool you, Vin Vie is a bonafide Japanese bar food haven. In an atmosphere that's perfectly balanced between “lively ” and “rowdy”, you'll be perfectly content to gorge yourself on yakitori skewers, and to wash them down with a glass or two (or three) of beer or sparkling wine. Let's not kid ourselves, that's what you're there for, isn't it?

Don't fret if you struggle with the hilariously translated English menu. Between “My Sausage!!” and “I'm a pride of French toast”, Vin Vie's staff are friendly to a fault, and will do everything in their power to make you feel right at home in the midst of the controlled chaos.

Sit back, relax, and take your time with this one. Nobody's in a rush at Vin Vie, and that's just the way we like it .