Shanghai Swoons Over Bottega's First Location Outside BJ

advertisement

If there's one thing the most awarded pizza restaurant in Beijing can brag about now, it's that Shanghai might just like Bottega, too.

A week into their soft opening in the Paris of the Orient and each night is packed at Bottega's first branch outside the capital near Huaihai Zhonglu in Xuhui District. "We've been packed every night," says Bottega co-founder David Connolly.

The first thing one notices when entering Bottega Shanghai is the Stefano Ferrara-designed pizza oven

The Shanghai branch sets itself apart, first and foremost, with its design. It's sleek and airy, and the first thing one notices when entering is the bright red tiled pizza oven, an eye catcher from top Italian pizza oven maker Stefano Ferrara emblazoned with the Bottega logo in steel.

The design continues to the art, with neon lights and photographs on the walls inspired by '50s Italian adverts featuring folks from around Shanghai decked out in old school attire. Even the restrooms are well thought out, featuring the colors of the Italian flag and illustrations of the common ingredients of Neapolitan pizza -- tomatoes, basil, garlic, and more -- done up like devotional cards for saints.

The cocktail program is designed by former Black Moth head bartender Peter Kwok

It's not just about the design, but the menu as well. The classic pizzas are all here, with the addition of a few new specials: the Marinara, a Neapolitan classic made with just tomato sauce and garlic; and the Salsiccia e Friarelli (RMB 129), topped with sausage and friarelli, aka broccoli rabe, a leafy vegetable similar to broccoli but with a sharp, mustard-like taste.

Then there's also the Montanara (RMB 99), which sees the makings of a margherita pizza on a dough base that’s first steamed before being deep fried, lending the pie a different kind of texture and bite.

Additions to the Shanghai menu include the classic Marinara pizza

There’s also more attention paid to the cocktail menu -- what with Shanghai being a cocktail city and all -- with a menu of spritzes and specially made tipples designed by Peter Kwok, formerly of the recently shuttered Black Moth. As for wine, there's no menu, but a cavernous wine cellar instead. Wines are arranged by flavor profile and pricing, and guests are encouraged to tell wait staff what flavor they're seeking in order to find the best wine to accompany their meal.

With things keeping busy at the new Shanghai Bottega, Connolly says they’re planning on expanding music events as well, with a DJ station and three disco balls being prominent features to the restaurant.

Whether it be the pizza, the drinks, or the ambiance, Shanghai is smitten with the Beijing-born Bottega. Here’s hoping they have a bright future ahead down south in the Year of the Rabbit.

Bottega Shanghai

101B KWAH, 108 Xiangyang Beilu, Xuhui District
徐汇区襄阳北路108号嘉华中心1楼101B室

Can’t make it to Shanghai soon? You can try the Montanara pizza at Bottega’s for a limited time (until Feb 13) as part of the Beijinger’s Cheesy Pizza Month!

Try the Montanara pizza in Beijing for a limited time!

Follow the link below to learn how to take part and win prizes, and be sure to follow our pizza lovers and dedicated Pizza Month groups on WeChat. Simply add TBJButler and ask to be added in (specify English or Chinese langage with your request).

READ MORE

Images courtesy of Bottega

advertisement

Top Stories This Week

Beijingers Are Buzzing About