New Blue Frog Opens in Indigo with Operation Smile
Posted: September 4th, 2012 | | , | Alan Wong, Blue Frog, Blue Frog Bob, Indigo, Lido, Operation Smile, Swire Properties | No Comments »
New Blue Frog Branch Opening in Indigo
Last Friday was my first visit to Lido's new Indigo complex and I gotta say, it's really not what I expected. Since I hardly find myself in the Lido area, I haven't even seen the project in development so I can't say I had any sense of what I expected the final product to turn out to be…but this was not this.
Since Indigo shopping complex is another Swire project, I expected a compound of buildings mixed together into something more similar to Sanlitun Village or Sanlitun Village North.
From the outside, the complex is housed under one giant roof and I'm not exaggerating when I say it's gargantuan. And walking inside and admiring the tall ceilings, curved archways and sterile lighting, I actually felt like I was in T-3 airport instead of your average shopping mall. That being said, my initial impression is entirely based on the fact that most of its stores are still in the process of opening their doors, so there wasn't nearly as many bodies filling the empty spaces as there are in Sanlitun.
LumDimSum Snapshots of Indigo in Lido:
New Indigo Shopping Complex in Lido
But last Friday, Indigo welcomed one of it's biggest players into their mix – the ever-so-popular Blue Frog American restaurant chain. This Shanghai-born restaurant chain claims that this new branch in Lido's new Indigo complex is their biggest venue in all of China to date.
I hear their grand opening parties are always a big hit with all-you-can-eat and drink parties for only RMB 100 per person, but this new particular opening was organized in conjunction with Operation Smile, an international charity that has been operating for 30 years, providing free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the world.
It's incredibly touching to see this type of generosity in the F&B industry. I admire Blue Frog that much more for taking that extra step and donating 100% of all ticket sales to such a worthwhile organization.
A Family of Blue Frogs Welcome Guests as They Cue Up for the Opening Party
Blue Frog's 100 Shot Challenge On Glass Display
New Blue Frog Opening Party with Proceeds going to Operation Smile
I turned up just about an hour into the party and it was already swarming with people. I can't say I was surprised, but I was certainly impressed by the turn-out.
There were people of all ages and backgrounds clearly enjoying the open bar (and pass-around syringe jello shots) and all the tasty bites that continued to pour out from the kitchen. From mini burger sliders to hearty hot dogs, spring rolls, chicken and mushroom skewers, and chocolate cake and brownie desserts, the food was non-stop from about 7PM to midnight, and they never ran dry. Not an easy feat to achieve.
I especially loved the disco dance floor and deep house DJs the kept the party rocking.
Hats off to the Blue Frog team and our friend that I like to call "Blue Frog Bob" for a great turn-out and well-executed grand opening party!
LumDimSum Snapshots of Blue Frog's Grand Opening Party:
Busy Blue Froggers
Open Bar Means Tables Full of Drinks
Open Bar at Blue Frog's Opening
Disco Dance Floor In the Background
Beautiful Blue Frog Fans
Open Bar Outside Restaurant/Inside Indigo
Blue Frog Friends
Massive Outdoor Terrace
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