Refresh: A respite for dessert lovers

Refresh has brought the urban deli concept to China, offering a series of tasty gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads at reasonable prices. What makes me happiest, however, is the small eatery's repertoire of sweets that are arguably the best in the city. Beijing finally has a place where one can sit and enjoy decent coffee and desserts.

Canadian-Spanish food cognoscenti David Prano is the culinary force behind Refresh. The international lunch fare is laid out in a neatly organized menu and includes wraps, sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, teas, coffees, smoothies and a wide variety of bakery items, such as croissants, muffins, baguettes, as well as plenty of scrumptious desserts for addicts of sweets.

In Prano's chicken sandwich (28 yuan), the spread of Cajun-style mayo gives the sandwich a little kick of chili, but the thinly sliced avocado, chicken breast and roasted vegetables keep the heat down. The excellent