Strictly Cookies have taken over the former Mr V banh mi spot on Xiangyang Bei Lu. Currently, they're serving strictly coffee and cookies - including a scrumptious red velvet special for 12RMB a piece when we stopped by last weekend - but the plan is to expand operations to serve ice cream sandwiches, iced coffee and a featured sandwich of the month produced in collaboration with other Shanghai eateries, chefs or 'anyone who has a delicious idea'.
Another brand that started as a pop up is set to open its doors this weekend. We told you a little while back about Pie Society's plans for a bricks and mortar space - well, it opens this weekend with a free keg of beer from Westwood Ales from 6pm, free Jameson for the first 50 people in the door and, of course, lots of delicious pies.
Over on Yuyuan Dong Lu, Red Hook, a tiny storefront with limited seating, has opened beside Lanna Coffee selling rolls and salads. The Boston jumbo lobster roll is pricey at 98RMB, but impressed us with its flavour and generous serving of lobster. More affordable roll options come in the form of a seafood combo for 38RMB and a smoked chicken option for 28RMB. Salads make use of the same toppings as the rolls, and are mostly priced in a similar bracket. Red Hook is also offering ‘American coffee’, which is an absolute steal at 13RMB (hot or cold).
Finally, East has swung open its doors inside the ever expanding Tianzifang labyrinth. Located on the corner of one of the main lanes where Origin used to be and opposite that little shack that sells mulled wine in the winter, the three-floor restaurant is a 'modern Asian' (read: Chinese, Korean and Japanese) eatery from chef Stefan Stiller (Kikaboni, naked Bite and the now closed Stiller's) and his wife Yoshi. Currently the menu is divided intoizakaya-style snacks, raw food, rice and noodles, and hot mains such as their take on gongbao jiding (78RMB) and miso marinated cod (165RMB).
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