Heading up the list of recent new openings is the long-awaited signature restaurant from famed Hawaiian chef Alan Wong in the Shanghai Centre. On the opening menu, appetisers start at 68RMB for shrimp and US pork hash dumplings with a sambal emulsion, but shoot up to 480RMB for a chilled seafood salad (made with ikura, uni, abalone and ahi tuna). Mains start at 198RMB for a miso Icelandic black cod with foie gras and unagi, climbing up to 548RMB for San Francisco style crab and tomato broth. For those balking at some of the more expensive prices, there’s a raw bar when you can pick up the likes of ahi poke and abalone salad for 128RMB each.
Also opened in Jingan, on Weihai Lu, is Jalapeño. This colourful Mexican eatery is dishing up an array of classics including guacamole (38RMB), tacos (pork carnitas at 72RMB) and quesadillas (smoked chicken at 68RMB).
Over in Xintiandi, there's a new branch of Yongkang Lu’s El Luchador and an outpost of popular New York dessert bar Chikalicious - both are part of a new development which also houses Sweat & Tears, a new cafe from Taiwanese music star Jonathan Lee in conjunction with StayReal Café by Ashin (from pop band Mayday). If you can endure the queue to nab a seat, you can sample savouries including Taiwanese noodles, as well as delicious desserts such as chocolate éclairs from 28RMB (take away is also available). Upstairs, the venture turns into a concept store where you can check out clothing, creative projects and strum on a collection of Lee Guitars.
Over on Wuyuan Lu, there’s a gorgeous new cafe called Jarajam offering quality pastries (including a tasty chausson aux pommes and a flakey chocolate croissant, both at 14RMB), nice coffee and a rich and spicy masala chai – all worth trying. They’re also offering a breakfast deal (8-11am Tue-Fri; 10.30am-12.30pm Sat-Sun) where you can get a drink and a pastry or muffin for only 30RMB – bargain!
As Chinese New Year edges closer, there are plenty of set menus worth sinking your teeth into. Topping our recommendations are the offerings at The Peninsula and Hakkasan. At the former, there are three menus available in Yi Long Court, starting at 1,288RMB/ person plus 15 percent service charge. They are also serving Lo Hei a fun raw fish salad where guests can raucously mix together ingredients and make wishes for the new year (from 298RMB/four-six people plus 15 percent service charge). At Hakkasan, for 888RMB/ person (minimum two people) you’ll get a lavish menu including crispy duck topped with caviar and gold leaf, luxury dim sum (pictured), and mains including jasmine tea smoked chicken and silver cod in sha cha sauce. Check our website for more CNY dining deals.
Finally, food delivery site TableLife is offering Valentine’s Day delivery packages so you can cook your schmoopie a fancy dinner on Sunday 14. There’s the gold package (239RMB) where you’ll get two 250g grass-fed ribeye steaks from New Zealand cattle, plus a bottle of fruity Tarima Monastrell from Spain, but there are also platinum and diamond packages (for 588RMB and 1,034RMB respectively) featuring steak, lobster and fine wines if you really want to wow your significant other with a romantic feast.See more details and order on the TableLife website.