Food news: Openings, closings and re-vamps

As ever, there’s a load of new openings and closings in town. Oh, and food festivals. The team behind upcoming home-grown FEAST are preparing as we speak for their festival this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 - check out our preview of the fest online. Bon App has a three-day fine dining festival in the works called Exquisite. Look for that in the spring.

The team behind Gemma on Donghu Lu has opened a new spot in Jingan on Yanping Lu called Bar Centrale. The interior is slick, outfitted with a trendy pale-brick-white-tile aesthetic. Pizzas are under 100RMB for the most part, but sadly didn't make us want to scream 'go there now' when we slipped by for a bite the other evening.

In bar news, after quite a bit of buzz, Highline has opened on the sixth floor of The Ascott on Huaihai Lu just north of Xintiandi. The new project from the teams behind Le Baron and Scarpetta is a restaurant-bar-lounge that’s looking pretty ace. Plus you can already start lusting after the sprawling terrace for next spring and summer. If you went in the last few weeks and the food was a letdown, give them another chance – the original consulting chef didn't quite work out, and now Shanghai chef heavyweights Anna Bautista and Sean Jorgensen (of Coquille/Scarpetta and Liquid Laundry fame, respectively) will be taking over in the kitchen.

District on Yuyuan Lu launched a new menu of cocktails last week, with drinks bearing names like 'The Abyss of Love' (Four Roses, Campari and Vermouth) and 'Wet as Phuc' (Coconut cachaça, Abuelo anejo, pineapple and apple). So get over there not just for the beer on tap that they're known for but for the hard stuff, all mixed up and tasty like, too.

The OG Yongkang Lu shop from Funkadeli may be gone, but they’ve opened a new branch over on Fumin Lu near Tepito. (There’s also a new-ish bakery The Toast on the other side of Tsui Wah from Funkadeli but despite a well-designed space it’s the opposite of goals. Lamb curry pizza? Sounds good but nahhhhhh.)

Over on Yueyang and Fenyang Lus, there’s still hoarding up at The Camel. The group is doing extensive renovations with an eye towards rebranding the popular sports bar into a gastropub. We’re not quite clear on what that will look like as they already served up a solid selection of pub grub from burgers and curry, but if we had to hazard a guess, it’ll be posher.

Speaking of burgers (and tacos), Changshu Lu burger joint Charlie’s has opened an outlet in the basement of Jingan’s Kerry Centre. The space is a collab effort with Dos Locos meaning that you can create your own burgers and hot dogs with toppings from the Cali-style burrito shop. We’re into it. They’ve also got a whole menu section of ‘The Healthy Stuff’ – think salads and wraps – so you can feel less bad about yourself.

On the same strip as the original Charlie's on Changshu Lu, there's hoarding up for a spot called Dodu, a 'rotisserie à la Francaise', so look for that in coming weeks.

Al’s Diner has opened a second location on Xiangyang Lu, right above their newly launched bakery. They’re offering a dozen-plus new dishes so if the draw of picking up some American-style cakes wasn’t enough, maybe a veggie breakfast burrito will do it.

New on Julu Lu is an outpost of Amelia’s, purveyor of jams and British eats. The small café follows the closure of The Pantry on Wulumuqi Lu where you could once find them. Get over there to fill up on mini Scotch eggs and craft beers from Westwood Ales. The space which formerly held The Pantry has been gutted and we'll be keeping our eyes on whatever new concept springs up there.

For all you clean eating freaks out there, Beijing-based Tribe Organic have announced that they’ll be launching in Shanghai come next spring. The healthy eats brand has exploded across the capital, with eyes now set on our very own Pearl of the Orient. Look for them on Fumin Lu in a few months.