Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Moganshan Art District cafés, this
intimate hideaway hosts performances of
Chinese folk music every Saturday at 8pm.
Element Fresh
新元素
xīn yuán sù
Shanghai Centre (east side), 1376 Nanjing Xi
Lu
W
www.elementfresh.com. 7am-11pm.
This
airy, informal bistro is the best place in
town for a Western breakfast (note that
they're open early) - there are plenty of
options both hearty and healthy, none of
which will cost you more than ¥60 (which
includes limitless coffee). It's also well liked
for its deli-style sandwiches, smoothies,
health drinks and cheap coffee (only ¥15).
Free delivery.
North of Suzhou Creek
Old Film Café
老电影咖啡吧
l
fēi lo diàn y
123 Duolun Lu
y
n
g kā fēi bā
56964763. 10am-1am.
If
you're in the area, this charming old house,
full of period detail and wallpapered with old
film ads, is the place for refreshment. Film
buffs will be excited by the possibility of
screening the fine collection of old Chinese
and Russian films - just ask the owner.
T
Restaurants
Restaurants are more expensive in Shanghai than elsewhere in China, although
prices
remain reasonable by international standards; most dishes at Chinese
restaurants are priced at around ¥30, and even many upmarket Western restau-
rants have meal specials that come to less than ¥90 (¥88 is a popular set menu
price, 8s being lucky). Prices per head, given in the reviews, cover a couple of
dishes and tea. Phone numbers are given for those venues where
reservations
are advisable. The Chinese like to eat early, sitting down for lunch at noon and
dinner at 6pm, but
restaurant hours
are long - usually 11am-2pm and
5-10pm; exceptions to this general rule are noted below. Anywhere with a bar,
or any expat place, will usually be open later.
M on the Bund
米氏西餐厅
m
shì xī cān tīng
The Bund and Nanjing Dong Lu
This strip of real estate along the Bund
must contain some of the world's most
over-hyped, over-designed and over-
rated restaurants.
Sens & Bund
,
Jean
Georges
,
Laris
,
New Heights
- they all
Floor 7, Five on the Bund, entrance on
Guangdong Lu
T
63509988.
M on the Bund is
worth it for the extraordinary view
overlooking the Bund alone. Service could
be better, and some complain that as a fine
dining experience it isn't all that great, but
the Mediterranean-style cuisine is some of
the classiest (and most expensive) food in
town, and the set lunch (¥118) is good
value. If you're going to splash out, try the
grilled salmon and finish with pavlova.
The Stage, Westin
Level 1, Bund Centre, 88 Henan Zhong Lu, near
Guangdong Lu
arrived to massive publicity, boast great
views of the Bund, have been lavishly
designed but, ultimately, they're not as
good as they're cracked up to be. Only
eat at one of these “destination” restau-
rants if you are on an expense account,
you've been here for ages and you really
miss Continental-style fine dining, or
you want to spot Chinese celebrities.
Lao Zhenxing
老振兴餐馆
l
63350577. 6am-midnight.
The
“it” place for a buffet brunch, served from
11am to 2.30pm - ¥200 (plus fifteen
percent service charge) for as much as you
can eat and drink, including champagne
and caviar. Come hungry and not too hung
over, and pig out.
Wang Baohe
王宝和酒家
wáng b
o hé ji
T
l lo zhèn xìng cān gu
n
556 Fuzhou Lu.
This unassuming restaurant
is perennially popular for its light, non-
greasy Shanghai cuisine. It's good for
seafood and famous for its herring; try
“squirrel fish” and a selection of dumplings.
Around ¥50 per person.
116
i jiā
