Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: September 2016

By Betty Richardson

Another month, another Michelin-starred chef makes a debut in Shanghai. This time it’s Hong Konger Chef Alvin Leung, whose restaurant Bo Innovation currently holds three Michelin Stars. He’s just opened two concepts: Daimon Bistro (a nod to Leung’s self-styled ‘Demon Chef’ moniker), and a ‘secret’ restaurant behind it called Bo Selecta Shanghai.
Just next door at Three on the Bund, gastrolounge Unico is preparing to re-open following a month-long nap. They'll be bursting back into action with a week of parties and entertainment for their 4th anniversary celebrations. Rumor has it they'll also be welcoming a new signature chef this year, a certain Paul Pairet. Name ring a bell?

In healthier news, Lizzy’s All Natural is pollenating Shanghai with good health and green juice – they’re opening another branch up on Julu and Fumin Lu. It also looks like they answered our prayers: this shop will also be dedicated to selling smoothie bowls.

BONUS ROUND: She's also opening another shop in North Jing'an. The exact location is still hush hush, but it'll be in the vicinity of fellow healthy concept Hunter Gatherer, Wework, soon-to-open Golden Gloves boxing gym and Spinback spintorium (is that a word?)
Al’s Diner is also spreading out across the city, with the launch of Al’s Bakery at 174 Xiangyang Nan Lu. Eschewing French patisserie for all things gloriously American, they’re promising freshly baked muffins, scones, breads; American-style desserts like cheesecake, red velvet cupcakes, apple pie and Gracie’s Ice Cream to go with it. Bye bye, waistline.

One of our favorite cafes from last year, Jarajam, has been resurrected from the dead (they had to shutter due to landlord issues) at 88 Wuyuan Lu. Just like before, they’re specializing in home-style cakes, bread and pastries, paired with coffees and brewed specialty tea.
Shanghai could definitely use more Middle Eastern food, and luckily it seems newly opened La Shawarma will be taking care of our kebab kravings. Just like our favorite joints back home, you’ll find enormous lamb rotisserie skewers, tasty wraps and plenty of yoghurt dips too.
It was a month of upheaval for Shanghai’s bartisans, what with the closure of Yongkang Lu’s many unlicensed bars. But where one closes, another opens – and Shanghai can now look forward to the re-opening of Datong Mill (AKA Found 158), a subterranean lifestyle center in the middle of a park between Julu and Ruijin Lu. Sounds crazy, but with entrants like JZ Club, El Luchador, a spin-off from the Xixi Bistro owners and more, we’ll have to watch this space.
One of our favorite casualties from the Yongkang Lu cull was craft beer spot, The Hop Project. Fear not, drinkers, they’ll be setting up shop on Dagu Lu instead, which is also home to Café de Stagiaires.

It was also last orders for Shen bar this summer, but luckily that astonishing view won’t be going to waste. The rooftop space is being turned into ‘b,’ in partnership with popular Italian eatery Goodfellas just downstairs. We’re hearing great things about it already…
Over at Suzhou Creek, Factory 54 Club has become E-Universe instead (interesting name for a club…). Sadly, the Warholian tinfoil interiors are gone, but by the looks of the party photos, the nightlife action looks up to speed.

Another club by the owners of Monkey Champagne has popped up on Tongren Lu of all places. Already a hit with the trendy young Taiwanese gang ASL (Age, Sex, Location) follows the bottle service and low tables format, though there is a dance floor if you’re too cool for all that jazz.

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