Revamped dining concept combines charcoal grilling, innovative cocktails, and immersive experiences.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled CHAR Bar & Grill 2.0, a reinvention of its independent Western restaurant brand, now offering an enhanced dining and social experience across Greater China.
With a focus on integrating Chinese and Western cultures, the reimagined concept emphasizes the “new five senses” of relaxation, presence, originality, atmosphere, and social interaction.
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Led by an international culinary team and mixologist consultants, CHAR Bar & Grill 2.0 introduces an innovative food and cocktail pairing for the first time. The revamped menu highlights the artistry of charcoal grilling, precise heat control, and fresh ingredients, paired with a selection of inventive cocktails designed to elevate the dining experience.
Elevated Cuisine for All Tastes
The updated menu, crafted by CHAR’s culinary team in collaboration with chef consultant Brian Arruda and the LTH team, features locally sourced ingredients and abandons the traditional structure of appetizers, mains, and desserts. Instead, dishes are designed to be shared, offering authentic charcoal-grilled flavors that cater to diverse palates, including vegetarians.
Signature dishes include the Liquid Nitrogen Garden Crudités, showcasing the natural sweetness of vegetables with a playful liquid nitrogen presentation, and the Char-grilled Uni Custard, Trio of Fish Roe, a luxurious combination of lobster soup, tomatoes, brandy, and onions, served with seaweed crisps for added texture. The Sizzling Wagyu Marrow Rice Bowl encourages diners to participate in mixing their dish, creating an interactive dining experience.
Cocktail Craftsmanship Redefined
In collaboration with Lio Yao, a partner of one of the world’s top 50 bars, CHAR Bar & Grill’s new cocktail menu blends authenticity, creativity, and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from 20th-century philosophy and literature, the cocktails are organized into four themes: Preface, Homage to the Classics, Own the Moment, and Paint the Future.
Highlights include THE BOOK, a smoky mezcal-based drink with toasted coconut and plum wine, representing the “Preface” theme. The CHAR-GRONI, a reimagined Negroni with Pu’er tea and cherry wood smoke, bridges Eastern and Western elements. PEANUT COLADA combines Yunnan peanuts with island-inspired coconut flavors, while LESS IS MORE celebrates minimalism with its ultra-simple yet flavorful presentation.
A Social Space Redefined
The revamped CHAR Bar & Grill enhances its dining environment with live charcoal cooking demonstrations, warm lighting, and curated music. These elements create a welcoming atmosphere for modern city-goers seeking a high-quality and social dining experience.
Currently, eight CHAR Bar & Grill locations operate in Greater China, with two more set to open. Starting January 1, 2025, the new dining and cocktail menus will roll out nationwide. This move underscores IHG’s commitment to innovative dining concepts, as explained by Jerome Qiu, Chief Operating Officer of IHG Greater China:
“CHAR Bar & Grill enriches IHG’s diverse dining portfolio, meeting modern consumers’ growing demand for unique experiences and high-quality environments. This renovation strengthens our offerings, ensuring fresh and visually appealing dining options alongside a perfectly balanced social atmosphere.”
IHG’s CHAR Bar & Grill 2.0 sets the stage for immersive culinary and social experiences, bringing a fresh perspective to dining in Greater China.
Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts Unveils CHAR Bar & Grill 2.0: A Modern Culinary Experience
