Pret a Manger has opened its second Shanghai location this week in the basement of the Jingan Kerry Centre, much to the delight of office workers from the surrounding buildings. With room for 80 people and free WiFi, we imagine these guys will do a rocking trade with their healthy and fresh offerings and friendly service. The K11 branch remains, and we can only see this brand expanding in China as people get a taste for the quick and yummy food and organic coffee that’s seen the brand open over 400 stores globally.
Further south and slightly less healthily, Al’s Diner has introduced a new Super Pancake Challenge, during which you’re encouraged to scoff five gigantic pancakes plus a milkshake in under ten minutes. If you succeed, you’ll get the meal free and have hero status among the staff; and if not, you’ll be up for a 120RMB bill. We attempted it and managed around 40 percent. It’s tougher than it looks.
Pelham’s at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund has introduced a new menu that offers a greater variety of dishes and focuses on a lighter and fresher dining experience. New offerings include a goat cheese ravioli served with watercress and Chinese lettuce (238RMB), and seared smoked salmon with feta, cucumber yoghurt and quinoa (158RMB). Steaks are also a draw, with a succulent Australian tenderloin from 308RMB. Don’t skip the red berry mille-feuille dessert served with avocado and basil curd (108RMB). All prices plus service and VAT.
Further north along The Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai has welcomed back Executive Chinese Chef Tang Chi Keung to Yi Long Court following his stints at The Peninsula in both Tokyo and Paris. The Hong Kong-born chef helped open Yi Long Court when the hotel launched in 2009, and his return has spawned a new menu, featuring Cantonese and dim sum dishes, incorporating ingredients Chef Tang has discovered during his postings overseas. Highlights include lobster dumplings encased by a squid ink wrapper, wok-fried wagyu beef in a black bean sauce and an almond cream dessert with glutinous rice dumplings.
Finally, over in Pudong, Morton’s The Steakhouse in the IFC mall at Lujiazui has introduced a range of new seasonal dishes for spring. Additions include two new steak cuts - the Wagyu New York Strip (698RMB) and a bone-in filet mignon (688RMB).
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