By Erica Chen (cityweekend.com)
Updated: 2008-03-05 11:01

Already well-established in Shanghai, Wagas has just stepped onto the Beijing scene at a new home just five minutes from the Xidan subway station.

We moseyed over and immediately felt right at home–albeit, a nicer home than our own–amidst the cafe's simple decor, highlighted by open spaces and cushy couches, perfect for lounging and watching the shoppers below. Faced with a dizzying array of delectable and healthy options, we spent a good ten minutes trying to order, finally settling on the vegetarian platter (42 yuan), an exotic combination of hummus, tabouleh, falafel and roasted pumpkin and a few of their famous gourmet sandwiches.

The soy duck wrap (38 yuan) was a playful spin on your typical Beijing “kaoya” and, unable to decide between the mushroom, brie and pesto panini (35 yuan) and the grilled eggplant, sundried tomato and pesto ciabatta, (35 yuan) we went ahead and ordered both, and we were twice as happy for it. Equally enticing were their smoothies and, while the very berry smoothie (35 yuan) was a tad bland, the Wagas smoothie (30 yuan), was a worthy concoction of honey, banana, passion fruit, yoghurt, apple and muesli, a dessert in and of itself.

All in all, a great start and a most welcome entry. And, did we mention that they deliver?

Wagas
Address: Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, 3/F
Tel: 5971-6200