6 awesome menus for China Restaurant Week
In association with China Restaurant Week
Photographs: courtesy China Restaurant Week (seul & SEUL)
The annual feeding frenzy is back: China Restaurant Week returns for spring this Thursday (March 14) with 11 days of set dining deals at restaurants across the city. With a little bit of everything, from fancy fine dining to everyday eats, here are six menus to get on your radar.
PSA: tables tend to fill up fast, so if you see something you like, book it before it's gone (scroll to the bottom of the post for how and where to reserve).
Mr & Mrs Bund
Contemporary but not stuffy, relaxed yet still refined, Mr & Mrs Bund's creative French cuisine comes from the mind of local celebrity chef Paul Pairet (also behind Ultraviolet). Score a window seat for unfettered views of the city's iconic skyline.
China Restaurant Week set highlights: it's all about sharing plates, with a dinner-only menu featuring a mushroom truffle salad, simmered black cod fish, whole roasted teriyaki short rib and the Pairet-signature Lemon and Lemon Tart.
📍Sixth Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. 758RMB per person (minimum of two people).
seul & SEUL
Set in Taikoo Hui, sleek restaurant seul & SEUL gives French fine dining an Asian twist. With a kitchen helmed by Chef Johnny Jiang, formerly of Singapore's renowned restaurant Andre, here dishes are carefully constructed, with an emphasis on the handmade.
China Restaurant Week set highlights: lunch and dinner menus include a mix of soft shell crab salad, sake razor clam, Australian wagyu with truffle, grilled lobster and praline chocolate mousse.
📍N301, Third Floor, HKRI Taikoo Hui, 789 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu. 198RMB (lunch); 398RMB (dinner).
Azul Tapas Lounge
A popular mainstay in Shanghai's restaurant scene, South American restaurant Azul been at it for over 15 years under the watchful eye of Peruvian restaurateur Eduardo Vargas. After going through a reboot last year, the menu focus is now mostly Spanish, South American and Mediterranean tapas, with a few larger sharing plates along the way (think charcuterie and seafood rice).
China Restaurant Week set highlights: the lunch and dinner sets include the likes of mushroom croquetta with black truffle aioli, Argentinan beef churrasco, halibut chicharron and Vargas' signature flan.
📍Eighth Floor, 378 Wukang Lu, near Taian Lu. 108RMB (lunch); 198RMB (dinner).
The 1515 West Chophouse & Bar
Jingan Shangri-La's meticulously designed steakhouse, The 1515 West Chophouse & Bar is known for its generous portions of beef from cattle reared in Australia and more excellent cuts of meat, all complemented by fresh seafood coming from The Raw Bar and a solid roster of wines.
China Restaurant Week set highlights: the three-course lunch and dinner sets include offerings of cured beef, smoked salmon, poached toothfish, lamb tenderloin and chocolate fondant.
📍Fourth Floor, Jingan Shangri-La, 1218 Yanan Zhong Lu, near Tongren Lu. 138RMB (lunch); 288RMB (dinner).
La Scala
At the capable hands of Chef de Cuisine Stefano Sanna, The Sukhothai Shanghai's modern Italian restaurant turns out dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients (best when paired with a bottle of vino) and a wide selection of Italian boutique wines.
China Restaurant Week set highlights: the three-course lunch and dinner sets feature mozarella caprese, signature three-rice risotto with green peas and prawns, Australian veal tenderloin or rump, pan-fried black cod and coffee ice cream tiramisu.
📍First Floor, The Sukhothai Shanghai, 380 Weihai Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu. 138RMB (lunch); 288RMB (dinner).
Pistolera
With three locations across Shanghai, the newest of which recently opened in Jingan, Pistolera's lively mix of big-screen sports and shareable Tex-Mex food make it a popular spot most nights of the week. Don't skip the tacos.
China Restaurant Week set highlights: chicken tinga and house-made chorizo taquitos dorados (a stuffed and rolled up crisp tortilla), Australian flank steak fajitas, tacos al pastor, margaritas and mojito cheesecake.
📍Second Floor, 132 Nanyang Lu, near Xikang Lu. 108RMB (lunch); 198RMB (dinner).
To check out the full menus, see China Restaurant Week's full list of participating restaurants or book a table, extract the QR code or hit 'Read more' below.