New Opening: Bund 8 for Nightlife & Dining with a View
At Bund 8 the main focus of the venue is nightlife, with an ostentatious space perfect for a luxurious night out on the town, yet we saw on our visit that a menu offering European classics with Asian inspiration is more than an afterthought.
The view from Bund 8 is very impressive. From one side, the view of Lujiazui landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl TV tower is up close and personal. From the other direction, as well as from their massive outdoor terrace, you also have views of the Bund side.
Bund 8’s full service bar is a focal point in the venue
The furnishings are plush purples and opulent golden wall coverings that give off a Moroccan feel. This inspired Chef Bradley Hull to create a menu based on French colonial cuisine from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. You will also find liberal use of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar in some dishes, ingredients that give away the chef’s Canadian heritage.
Pork Pâté En Croute (RMB 148)
The Pork Pâté En Croute is a generous slab of classic pork pate with foie gras baked in flaky pastry dough with a flavorful and well-executed savory gelée. The onion marmalade is a good accompaniment. There are so many things that a chef needs to get right with this old-school dish before it can be cut into beautiful slices and this version was on point.
Garden Greens (RMB 68)
In contrast, a simple salad full of Vietnamese influence takes less time while being equally delicious. The majority of the salad leaves are actually herbs: mint, chervil, basil and coriander. Slices of tart apple, some enoki mushrooms and walnuts are thrown into the mix before being dressed with a vibrant dressing of coriander seeds, mint, thyme, orange zest and apple cider vinegar.
There are some nice mains to choose from such as a slow cooked salmon with harissa marinade (RMB 228), grilled Iberico pork chop with chili glaze (RMB 298) and beef tenderloin with black currant mustard (RMB 398).
Peking Duck L’Orange (RMB 398)
We went for something we’ve never seen before Peking Duck L’Orange (RMB 398). The basis for this dish is the classic French Duck L’Orange with Beijing duck treatment. One main difference to the Beijing dish is the initial brining in apple cider vinegar, apples, orange juice, salt and sugar. Additional steps include braising in star anise and apple cider vinegar, blowing the skin, and cooking in a hanging oven. The finished product is served with orange slices, spring onion, cucumber as well as the expected pancakes and hoisin sauce (plus an extra osmanthus sauce). It’s a very interesting dish, for sure, with the meat having a lot more flavor than normal, and skin being a bit less crisp. Purists might complain, but we enjoyed it.
Grilled Trout Almandine (RMB 398)
The Trout Almandine is a fairly straightforward dish. It is impressive because it is grilled and served whole before being topped with a buttery sauce made of slivered almonds with lemon juice and parsley. All items from the “sharing” portion of the menu come with choice of either mashed potato or goat cheese polenta and 2 sides. All the sides were done well.
Bund 8 Bacon (RMB 398) served with three sides
You really have to try the bacon though. It is smoked in their hanging ovens after a maple syrup and Sichuan peppercorn marinade. They have a charcoal-grilled tomahawk (RMB 1688) if that’s up your alley. Rest assured that a chef that spent time at Portman’s and 1515 West, like Chef Bradley did, knows how to cook a Tomahawk.
Cheesecake with Fig (RMB 88)
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta (RMB 88)
The cheesecake recipe is one of the best in town and we have been fans of cheese cakes Chef Bradley has cooked in his previous kitchens. This version is flavored with fig and served with fig sorbet. The pannacotta is spiced with cinnamon and features clear orange blossom gel, blood orange gel and mandarin sorbet for a multilayered citrus punch.
It is not often that you can find great food cooked by a talented chef in a nightclub, but Bund 8 has accomplished that. Give them a visit the next time you are in the mood for a big night out.
Address: 8 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu
Tel: 021 6333 9536
Hours: Daily, 6pm-1am; A la carte dinner service is available from 6pm to 10pm; Bar bites are served one hour longer until 11pm; Bar open until 1pm
Related Articles
New Opening: Aged Steaks and Huge Burgers at Butchers Club