Owner/chef Omar Maseroli and restaurant cofounder Yuan Kun Yuan sample new wines for their menu. [Photo provided to China Daily]

These monthly wine dinners are limited to 30 diners, so if you're a fan it's essential to stay in touch with the restaurant.

While the weather at last month's event was not inviting for dining on the deck due to lingering summer showers, I found myself looking out the window at the Liangma River flowing by. It's an unassuming waterway－winding toward Solana mall rather than the Italian countryside－but charming nonetheless.

With days already getting shorter as summer comes to a close, al fresco dining will soon be a plan for "next year". I'll be making sure to stop by soon for a return visit for a nice glass of wine out on the deck, which is my personal favorite way to say "Happy Friday!"

Contact the writer at michaelpeters@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

Fiume

39 Maizidian West Street, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6501-9878.