Winter has finally arrived, there’s no denying it. If you’ve already eaten your way through our list of top comfort foods (find that on our Food page), we have a few new openings that might just lure you out from under your duvet.
First of all, there’s Chez Maurice. Taking over the second and third floors above live jazz club Heyday, this French bistro, grill and wine bar is the perfect place to be when it's cold outside. On the menu is plenty of meat, including some seriously good charcuterie (if you’re French, get ready to feel homesick), quality beef and hearty sides (including crisp, golden French fries and delicious Brussels Sprouts).
Prices are reasonable, especially given that French food in Shanghai errs on the expensive side. The generous charcuterie assortment board at 118RMB offers a glimpse into the kitchen’s capabilities - order it and revel in the meaty goodness. From the grill, beef cuts start at 158RMB/200g Australian tenderloin and are served with a side of French fries or salad, and a choice of sauce. Definitely one to check out.
An even more reasonably priced dining and imbibing option that’s burst onto the scene recently isslickly-designed tapas bar CAbRA. Drinks are affordable enough to keep you well hydrated, with cocktails priced around the 60RMB mark and litre jugs of sangria for 150RMB. Food options are simple but hard to fault, with early favourites including the Iberian Platter (90RMB) of thinly sliced Serrano ham and chorizo, as well as the croquetas de jamon (55RMB). Word of warning, CAbRA gets busy, especially during the weekend - bookings are recommended.
Now, onto Xintiandi where there's also been plenty of news. A new branch of Spread the Bagel has opened on Madang Lu - good news for anyone working in the 'hood.
There's also been some movement at Hubin Dao shopping centre (home to Baoism) with a branch of Taoyuan Village (a Taiwanese cafe serving snacks and desserts), another branch of popular health-food spot Hunter Gatherer and a Yunnanese eatery called In & Out all now open. Keep an eye on the blog for full reviews.
Over by The Bund, CHAR, at the top of Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund, has launched a new menu. To complement the range of signature beef cuts, Head Chef Willmer Colmenares has introduced appetisers including a super succulent smoked wagyu beef carpaccio (158RMB) and seared scallops with Jerusalem artichokes (188RMB). New desserts are also worth a look in including a flambéed tarte tatin (98RMB) with Calvados ice cream, and a tasty berry and apple crumble (78RMB) with dulche de leche ice cream.
CHAR is also launching steak masterclasses in conjunction with Australian beef supplier Jack’s Creek. The classes will be held from 1-3pm on the last Thursday of every month (starting 28 Jan) and will cover the topics of animal husbandry, the difference between grass fed and grain fed, how to select cuts and how to best cook them. Priced at 350RMB (including a light lunch), see full event details here.
Celebrity chef Alan Wong's Shanghai Centre branch has now opened. The dining area is quite open with a large bar area taking up a good portion of the overall space. Expect colourful dishes, plenty of seafood and high price tags.
And finally, some sad news for Shanghai's F&B scene as Fung Lam and David Rossi have announced that their American Chinese eatery Fortune Cookie had served its last lemon chicken. The restaurant shuttered with little fanfare on Wednesday night, but keep an eye out for their next restaurant project in the US. We'll miss you, FC.