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Zao Zi Shu

Zao Zi Shu is an excellent Buddhist restaurant that has been a mainstay in my restaurant repertoire since moving to Shanghai. It serves easily appreciated Chinese food in a very clean location. The menu is great, as it features tons of classic Chinese dishes that use creative meat alterna...

Be sure to order the spinach jiaozi (dumplings), and the cucumbers and miso for starters. For a main course I love the fried tofu and peanuts, which is similar to but even better than Kung Pao (Gong Bao) chicken. The ginger chicken, stir fried noodles, and beef and peppers all come highly recommended. There are plenty of options on the menu which I adore, but there are a few dishes that try a little too hard to be meat dishes and fail miserably. Stay away from the ribs, which have edible bones that are indeed quite strange. I was also not crazy about the “scallops,” which lacked the consistency of a true scallop. Otherwise everything on the menu has been a success! For me, the best aspect of Zao ZI Shu is that you can try all those unusual Chinese dishes made with faux meat, that might otherwise make you a bit nervous at a typical local Chinese restaurant (like boiled intestines - I have no idea how Zao Zi Shu makes this dish out of tofu). Be adventurous!

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Nanlu Station. Exit onto Huaihai Lu and head east. Take a right on Songshan Lu. Half way down the street on the left there is a small alley with a lighted entrance. Zao Zi Shu is on the left side of the alley.

Other locations of Zao Zi Shu:

No.258 Fengxian Lu, by Jiangning Lu, Shanghai (上海市奉贤路258号)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6215 7566, 5228 0693

No.848 Huangjin Chengdao, by Shuicheng Nanlu, Shanghai (上海市黄金城道899号)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6275 1798

Bella Napoli

Bella Napoli served its purpose as a pleasant meal. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, despite its location just a block away from the bustling Nanjing Road, the Portman, and Plaza 66. The restaurant’s simple interior décor felt a little like Italy, with a something of a Trattoria feel. I particularly liked the large window between the small dining room and the kitchen that integrated the chef into the experience.

We ordered a good, hearty vegetarian meal of appetizers, pasta and dessert. We started with bruschetta (fresh tomatoes with lots of garlic) and a salad caprese sprinkled with delicious fresh mozzarella. The servings were generous and the food was a perfect amount for four of us to split. For our main course each of us ordered a vegetarian pasta dish. Everyone was content with their dish, although they were nothing to write home about. The desserts, an apple pie and a Tiramisu, were simply delicious.

Including a nice bottle of wine, the bill came to 700RMB for four people. We felt the bill was a bit too much, so it sort of put a damper on our overall opinion of the place. Until they improve upon the pastas and make them worth the higher prices, I would recommend heading up the street to Pasti. Pasti is cheaper and features homemade pasta dishes, albeit a much less charming decor.

Take Metro Line 1 to Jing’An Temple Station. Walk east along Nanjing Lu (南京路) for about 10 minutes. Take a left past Plaza 66 onto Xikang Lu (西康路). Bella Napoli is on the right.

Ups: Cafe and More

This funny little café actually serves my very favorite cup of coffee in Shanghai. Located right at the entrance to the courtyard section of the Taikang Road art and shopping area, Ups Cafe is ideal for a cup of coffee after an afternoon of shopping.

The in...

The inside is a bit overrun with purple couches for my taste, but the interior art is awesome and exudes a relaxed feeling inside the cafe. The wait staff ignores you unless you ask for them, which is preferable in a generally pretty quiet spot. Don’t worry though, you can always grab their attention when you need it, but they do not hover.

The menu has some good food options, including paninis, pasta and salads. Sit outside on a nice day, but the funky ambiance inside is pleasant too.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to the Shanxi Lu Station. Exit onto Huaihai Lu, and then head east for a block and a half to Ruijin Rd. Take a right, and then head south until you hit Taikang Lu (about 15 minutes). Take a left on Taikang Lu. This road has several small shops, but keep and eye out for a shop called InSH (210 Taikang Lu.) on the left side of the street, about 5 minutes down. There is an alley just before In Shanghai (very cute t-shirts) shop, where you need to take a left. Head down the alley, Ups is on the left. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

T8

T8 is yet another fantastic restaurant in Xintiandi. The restaurant displays a warm and contemporary Asian décor, while incorporating traditional Chinese furniture and art, in keeping with Xintiandi’s redeveloped historic atmosphere. We loved everything about this restaurant, including the crisp white plates that our meals were served on. The experience and ambiance was totally cool, but not over the top.

We started off with cocktails and appetizers, which were all delicious. Champagne lovers should try the martinis that have been nicely topped off with champagne... YUM. Our appetizer was a foodie’s dream, a sample of four different beautifully presented delicacies, including an amazing tuna tartar (my favorite). The mushroom consommé was excellent, perfectly light and flavorful at the same time. Our main courses were equally delicious. The “meat pie,” not for the light eater, was so delicious it was gone before anyone had a chance to ask for a taste. Another popular choice was the cod, served so light and fresh it had a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

The total bill, on par with typical Xintiandi restaurants, was around 600RMB per person. That included a starter, main course, cocktail and shared dessert.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Rd. Station. Head south on Huangpi Lu. until you see a sign for T8 on the right side of the street at the edge of the Xintiandi complex.

Jean Georges

Jean Georges is one of Shanghai’s well known, highly respected restaurants that actually lives up to the hype. I’m always somewhat nervous going to “THE” restaurant in town with guests, as I am never sure if it will live up to my hopes and the high prices on the menu. Fo...

The ambiance is warm and a bit dark without being too claustrophobic. The adjoining dining and bar spaces are huge. The ceilings must be 10 meters high, allowing for huge windows which offer a full view of the Bund and Pudong. The clientele certainly prefers Gucci and Prada, and you will likely want to take a walk around to see which famous couples might be snuggling in the booths. Dignitaries and moguls enjoy a separate lounge to smoke cigars and talk business, but the rest of the restaurant is thankfully non-smoking.

The menu is varied but decidedly French. Each of the four guests in my party enjoyed both their appetizer and main course equally well. Particular favorites were the “Ribbon Tuna” appetizer, which was a healthy serving of raw tuna with a wonderful dressing and fresh radishes. We also loved the shrimp salad, the beautifully presented mushroom soup, and the red snapper encrusted with nuts and seeds. Cosmopolitan fans should not skip the Shanghai Cosmo; it was the most delicious cocktail I have had in a long time. With cocktails, a bottle of wine from the exceptional wine list, appetizers and main courses, you are looking at a bill of at least 800RMB per person. For a night out on the town, Jean Georges is definitely worth it.

How to get there: Take a cab to arrive in style! Otherwise, the restaurant is at the corner of the Bund and Guang Dong Lu.

Kommune

Taikang Lu is an excellent shopping destination. It’s a little funky and artsy, but snazzy at the same time. Most of the shopping is actually located down an alley off of Taikang Road, which is where you will find Kommune – a great spot to stop for a sandwich or drink after some...

Kommune’s menu is small, mostly Paninis, but it does offer very noteworthy daily specials. Be sure to first ask the waitress before ordering from the menu. A consistent offering on the special menu is a Panini with scrambled eggs, sun dried tomatoes, veggies and cheese... simply delicious! I also love the Mediterranean plate, which comes with fresh baked bread and veggies to dip in hummus, baba ganoush and tzatziki. Beverages range from coffee (30RMB for a latte) to wine by the glass or bottle (a bottle is about 90RMB).

Kommune’s most charming aspect is likely its outdoor seating located in an old fashioned Chinese courtyard. Bench seating and small round tables shaded by trees and umbrellas make for a perfect setting to enjoy a warm afternoon with friends. Kommune also has a barbecue in the courtyard, so bring your own meat or veggies and use the grill for a small charge.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Lu Station. Exit onto Huaihai Lu. and head east for one and a half blocks to Ruijin Lu. Take a right, and then head south until you hit Taikang Lu about 15 minutes later. Take a left on Taikang Lu. This road has several small shops, but keep and eye out for In Shanghai (very cute t-shirts) about 5 minutes down on the left side of the street. There is an alley just before In Shanghai, where you need to take a left. Head down the alley and check out some of the cute shops before arriving at Kommune, which will be in the courtyard on the left.

Pasti

The owners of Pasti have a great concept – a friendly atmosphere, big menu, home made pasta, and great prices. While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Pasti, I have to admit that the atmosphere was a little lacking. It was definitely “friendly,” but in a corporate wa...

Despite the fact that Pasti didn’t quite feel like a typically charming Italian trattoria, the food was great. Furthermore, the wait staff was accommodating and at the end of the night the bill was surprisingly low. For a starter we were given a free plate of tapenade bruschetta – who doesn’t love it when a restaurant gives you free stuff! We each had pasta for our main course, and were all satisfied with our choices. The pesto gnocchi (46RMB) and the mushroom and bacon fusilli (46RMB) were particularly popular. We each had a drink and were given delicious almond biscotti (free) after our meal. The total, for four, was 250RMB , not too shabby.

Pasti is near Nanjing Lu, but far enough off the main pedestrian strip to make the prices a deal compared to everything else on Nanjing Lu. Give it a shot after a day of shopping at Plaza 66!

How to get there: Take Metro Line 2 to Shi Men Road Station. Exit Nanjing Lu and head west, away from the Bund. Take a right on Xikang Lu. Walk up two blocks to Beijing Xilu, take a right. Pasti is on the left about 20 meters down the street.

Iiiit!

Iiiit is an excellent locale whose healthy conscious menu focuses on western style gourmet salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Iiiit is the kind of restaurant which always leaves guests happy no matter what they are in the mood for! The sandwiches feature amazingly fresh and creative breads alon...

The menu is not too big, but anyone can certainly find at least a dozen choices on it that sound great. The Barbeque Pulled Pork Panini (48RMB) and the Provencal Vegetarian Panini (38RMB) are great standbys. If I can’t make up my mind, I always go for one of those. For something a little more unsual, try the Louisiana Muffalata Sandwich (38RMB) or the Curried Tuna Sandwich (38RMB). For a fresh and healthy drink I highly recommend a smoothie or fresh squeezed juice. Iiiit also makes awesome chocolate chip cookies – easy to get addicted to.

Located within the compound of the snazzy Summit Club apartment complex, Iiiit is easy to miss, so pay attention to addresses on your way! There is great outdoor seating and spacious indoor seating.

Take Metro Line 1 to Changshu Lu station. Exit onto Changshu Lu., and then take a left onto Wuyuan Lu after one block. Take a right on Wulumuqi Lu, and head north about two blocks. Iiiit and the Summit Club will be on the right. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

Azul and Viva

To be completely honest I am a little unclear about the difference between Azul and Viva. They appear to be the same restaurant, and share the same business card, but they are listed separately in directories. They do say that the downstairs is a tapas bar and the upstairs is the restaurant, but I have eaten on both floors and the menu has been the same. Either way, the atmosphere is cool and the food is great. Call it Azul, call it Viva, this is a wonderful place to have a fine meal and choose from a wide array of items on the menu.

I love tapas, because they give me the opportunity to sample a lot of different things. However, after eating tapas I often leave a little unsatisfied, a little hungry, and missing my main course. Fortunately Azul and Viva has mastered the perfect serving size, and I never leave feeling hungry! Do not miss the Seared Tuna Carpaccio with Spicy Soba Noodle Salad & Wasabi Aioli (78RMB), the Calamari (38RMB) or the Sesame Prawns (98RMB). The restaurant also offers larger plates, but the tapas are always what I remember the next time I go back. Last, but not least, be sure to taste their sangria wine – I like the original the best.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Lu Station. Exit onto Henghsan Lu, and then head north. Take a left onto Dongping Lu about 8 minutes walk from the subway stop. The restaurant is on the right side.

Ruzzi's

Ruzzi’s is, for all intents and purposes, an Italian fast food chain. Menu offerings are pretty simple with pizzas, pastas and desserts. The food is not exactly a taste explosion, but it is quick, reliable and safe. Set lunch deals with a lemon tea or coffee are very popular among the area’s working professionals. Ruzzi’s has a modern and stylish feel to it, and it’s the kind of place you can wear your jeans on a Saturday evening without judgment. I recommend the Spinach and Cheese calzone, the salmon bruschetta, and the lemon tea refills. Enjoy!

3 Ruzzi’s Locations in Shanghai:

Grand Getaway, 5F, Food court, Xujiahui, Shanghai
TEL: +86 (0)21 6448 2595

No.528, Fuzhou Lu, Shanghai
TEL: +86 (0)21 6360 9031

HK New World Tower, 1B, No.300 Huaihai Zhonglu (near Huangpi Nanlu), Shanghai
TEL: +86 (0)21 6386 5005