Nali Patio is already home to some of the city’s best Mediterranean fare thanks to Spanish restaurants Niajo, Agua and Migas, so an Italian eatery should feel right at home amid the whitewashed stucco. But rather than nestling in among its peers, the new branch of La Cascina is located across the Nali Patio courtyard, among shops selling shoes and clothes. It’s not just separated geographically, either – La Cascina’s food doesn’t come close to the high standards set by its neighbors.

The spacious venue fails to make a strong first impression. The décor isn’t Italian, unless you count the semi-circular dark red leather booths placed awkwardly in the middle of the room and the wine rack by the door. Neither does it stamp out its own unique vibe like Migas’ chic modern style or Agua’s plush romantic ambiance. While the weather is warm, diners should opt for the patio – there, a row of small tables with brightly hued plastic chairs offer a more laid-back, relaxed experience overlooking the inner courtyard.

From the pasta list, the linguine with clams, garlic and extra virgin olive oil came with a heaping pile of white-shelled molluscs atop al dente noodles. A white wine sauce blanketed the lot, but the overall dish failed to impress. At that price we were hoping for something more than just passable. The two different wines we had were both enjoyable, but even after a few tipples the overall meal left us underwhelmed.

Address: Second Floor, South Building, Nali Patio 81 Sanlitun Lu Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园南2层

Source: timeoutbeijing.com