Even this year's Chinese New Year break didn’t seem to slow the bustle of new openings on Shanghai’s F&B scene. Here’s what’s been going on.
Starting in Xuhui on the busy intersection of Fumin and Changle Lus, Citron closed without warning last month. The Shanghai Brewery group decided to rebrand the concept, quickly morphing it into Chicken & Egg, serving, wait for it… roast chicken and egg dishes. Pick up a quarter chook and two sides for 69RMB (a range of free sauces are available on the tables), or an open egg sandwich for 45RMB. Just skip the tiny (albeit tasty) chicken and vegetable soup for a comparatively expensive 35RMB.
Speaking of makeovers, right next door the much-loved, long-running Cantina Agave from Kelley Lee has been renovated and is being rebranded as Tepito. Keep an eye on our blog for a first look soon.
Those who love burgers will be excited to hear that a second branch of Fat Cow (also from the Shanghai Brewery group) is set to open in Jingan on Yanping and Wuding Lus. Meanwhile, near the first Fat Cow branch on Laowai Jie in Minhang, the same owners have also opened a Mexican cantina called Mamacita, where they’re offering a cracking tableside smashed bowl of guacamole (55RMB) – doesn’t get much fresher than that.
In Xintiandi, right by new dessert bar Chikalicious and the second branch of El Luchador, is Paris Bleu – a two storey ‘Mojito Bar & French Cuisine’ restaurant, currently in soft opening. While finalising their kitchen and food menu, they’re only serving drinks. There are ten variations of mojitos on the menu, all at 88RMB, as well as a handful of cocktails (from 80RMB) and ten types of gin and tonics (from 68RMB for Tanqueray to 128RMB for Monkey 47).
In the same zone, hoardings are up for a new kitchen, bar and live music venue from the Barbarossa Group called Calix, which is set to open this month.
Potentially joining them in swinging open their doors in March is the long-awaited Bund-side spot from Joël Robuchon; staff have been hired and training is underway, raising our hopes that the restaurant will be welcoming diners soon.