Shanghai Collected

The Commune Social

Motherhood has kept me quite busy these last few months but I also have to say, I haven't been excited by the newest openings either. That was not the case with the Commune Social, and the bonus is, it is at walking distance from our home and surprisingly child friendly (when the terrace was open).

The dinning experience is reminiscent of Table No 1 (same chef, same interior designer…) which can only be a good thing. I am however not a big supporter of their “no booking” policy: dinner on Fridays or Saturdays almost always require waiting, getting a table for a party of more than 4 people is almost impossible.

The food is delicious but comes in minimalistic portions and is served very quickly so it is good to order in several batches.

Make sure you order the char grilled Iberico pork and foie-gras burgers, and the sea urchin , on ciabatta.  

Price: over RMB350/pax   

Madison - Stepping up

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Last time I had visited Madison, the restaurant was still at its previous DongPing Road location and I had found the overall reviews to be a bit overrated. Since then, Madison has moved to a brand new location and definitely upgraded in the process: sleeker interior, even greater service, revamped visual identity, and a reworked the menu. I remembered more fusion influences but found the new menu to be much more classic this time.

Ippudo - Dinner and a movie

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A DVD may cost as little as RMB9 in Shanghai, I still very much enjoy going to the movies (an occasional blockbuster can't do that much brain damage, can it?). Of course, all the excitement dies when people around are eating loudly, answering their phone, trying to explain the storyline to their date... I've tried a few movie theatres in town, and my favourite is definitely the one in IFC mall: it's in Pudong, the dark side of the city but it's brand new, has reasonnably sized rooms (less people = less noise), including one VIP room with about 30 seats.

Tickets are slightly more expensive than elsewhere (RMB120/ticket for a regular movie, RMB140/ticket for a 3D one) but you can prebook them for half price right here (all in chinese though).

The best part is the newly opened ramen joint next door, which makes for a perfect quick pre-movie dinner.

Basil mint soda - Special Akamaru (RMB58)

Bouquet - A great lunch spot

 

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With its light and airy environment, great lunch options and reasonnable price, this place has quickly become a favourite lunch spots.

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

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Finally managed to get a table at Otto e Mezzo! After all the enthousiatic reviews, I was really looking forward to trying it out.

Wagyu Tajima Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio

Table No 1 - All time favorite

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A review of Table No 1 was long due. I have been on more occasions that I can remember, so many times that I now try to refrain from going not to get tired of it (tough life, I know...).

Passion fruit parfait, meringue.

 

Biofarm - Organic veggie basket

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A few months ago, we started this new experiment: ordering weekly baskets of organic veggies.

Stiller's

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This was my second visit to this fine dinning restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Stefan Stiller. My first visit was about a year ago but I had somewhat completely forgotten about this restaurant since then.

Le Petit Franck

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On Sunday mornings, I usually wake up wanting to eat something tasty but simple. Fancy food are for Fridays of Saturdays, Sundays should be uncomplicated and that usually translates into Gourmet Café’s, Gumpy Pig, or Enoterra but I think I might have a new favorite.

Another weekend in Shanghai

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Dinner at Char (Indigo Hotel): really expensive, yet boring (RMB600+/pax, not including wine).