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OPEN DOOR
July 7th, 2010
The buzz: An Italian restaurant and wine bar occupying the outdoor terrace area of the (still relatively) new Yueda 889 shopping mall in the Caojiadu area where Wanhangdu Lu meets Changshou Lu and Kangding Lu. It’s a 10 minute walk from the little crop of restaurants further east on Kangding (Legend Taste, Chiang Mai, Pomodoro), and a hop away from the Finest Foods import goods store.
May 19th, 2010
The buzz: The latest addition to the Waga’s empire on Anfu Lu which is home to Amokka, La Strada pizzeria, Baker & Spice, and Mr. Willis.
The décor: Mercifully free of the usual Zen knickknacks that clutter most Thai restaurants, Mi Thai is far more subtle: stripped-wood floors, spot-lit tables, open kitchen where the purple-shirted chefs work, and oversized steamer lids decorating the ceiling.
March 24th, 2010
The buzz: A wi-fi café to please Shanghai’s insatiable retro fans.
The décor: In the vein of Mia’s but with less clutter, Gobou has a pleasant parlor feel, with cheese plants, kitsch ornaments, and net curtains. Around lunchtime it’s the café of choice for groups of local creatives with their Mac books, but remains a quiet, as-yet-undiscovered nook which is a nice contrast to the jam-packed cafés around Jing’an Temple.
March 10th, 2010
The buzz: New Italian restaurant, describing itself as “New York Italian dining”.
The décor: Slightly sparse and sterile for a place trying to emulate a New York vibe. We were expecting something a little brighter and more upbeat. The severe, square tables and stark walls seem to imply fine dining, which this place certainly isn’t.
March 8th, 2010
The buzz: Founded by Li Shanlin, an offspring of the royal family in the Qing Dynasty, Family Li's Imperial Cuisine is the only place in town where you can sample the exclusive imperial cuisine from the Forbidden City. Its re-opening after almost one year of adjustment means you can literally eat like a queen or king yet again.
March 4th, 2010
 Open Door: Yue Yang Piao Xiang Lou
The buzz: Let Guyi and Di Shui Dong have all their fame, but to Shanghai's better-informed spice lovers, Yue Yang Piao Xiang Lou is their secret haven where they can enjoy genuine Hunan food at the half price of other fancier Hunan dining destinations.
February 24th, 2010
The buzz: Another wine bar joins the ranks of Enoteca, Just Grapes and their ilk, to satisfy Shanghai’s seemingly insatiable thirst.
The décor: All earthy tones, brick walls, wood floors, convivial lighting. Long tables for big parties, and cosy corners for intimate drinks. Ground floor sofas and a bar, upstairs wine shelves and seating area. Friendly French manager makes sure things run smoothly, and greets guests like old friends.
February 10th, 2010
The buzz: Until now, Shanghai’s Swiss population has had to make do with ersatz French fondue and whatever morsels of cheese they can persuade their visiting friends to smuggle in for them. No longer. Chalet Suisse, a new beacon of Helvetic homecooking, has landed.
February 3rd, 2010
The buzz: Fresh, healthy, organic food delivered to your door. According to their website, they provide an alternative to “pesticide-filled vegetables, beef with growth hormones or chickens raised on anti-biotics”, which has to be a good thing.
January 27th, 2010
The buzz: Healthy soups and salads, delivered to your door.
The décor: We called for delivery instead of visiting the shop, but we walked past it the other day, and it is a cute, compact, brick-walled, lino-floored, clean-looking little nook. Definitely good for a sit-down lunch if you’re in the Xintiandi area.
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