New Shanghai Bars & Restaurants: June 2016

By That's Shanghai, June 9, 2016

Here are all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our June 2016 issue.

Restaurants

Tai'an Table

With a 14-course menu, 28 individual covers and an evolving monthly menu, Tai'an Table gets it right in many places. It is rife with potential and talent, and we're excited to see a chef realize such a chef-focused concept. We tried their set menu for, gulp, RMB988/1288, and while it was delicious we wish but we wish they'd do a shorter, cheaper menu of their all-star dishes so we could afford to come back.

Total Verdict: 3.5/5
Price: RMB988/1288 per person
Who's going: expats and locals
Good for: special occasions, fine dining, dates, impressing guests, wine

Read a full review here. See a listing for Tai'an Table.

Raw Eatery & Grill

While generally steak is egregiously overpriced in Shanghai, new restaurant RAW Eatery & Wood Grill cook the cheaper (but not worse) Chilean and Argentinean steaks and various other South American dishes we found to our liking. Steaks are grilled in the restaurant’s ‘Josper’ charcoal oven, a powerful charcoal oven made in Spain, which can reach temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius.

Total Verdict: 3.5/5
Price: RMB250-300 per person
Who’s going: Spanish-speaking expats
Good for: steak, grilled food, groups, casual dinners

Read a full review here

See a listing for RAW Eatery & Wood Grill

Phénix

Phénix is spacious, comfortable, stylish and timeless, suitable for both formal and business occasions. While up against French eateries Franck, Villa Le Bec and Cuivre, Phénix offers a menu of French bistro-style eats with more wallet-friendly prices.

Total Verdict: 3/5
Price: RMB450-500 per person
Who’s going: locals and expats, hotel guests
Good for: French food, formal occasions

Read a full review here. See a listing for Phénix.

Calix

Calix isn't one of those 'tourist trap' places that overcharges you for a glass of wine and comfort Western food. The food is thoughtfully cooked and decently sized, and we will definitely return for the burger, as it was what we in the food biz say is 'damn good.'

Total Verdict: 4/5
Price: RMB150-300 per person
Who's going: locals and expats, wandering Xintiandi tourists
Good for: al fresco dining, set deal, cocktails, Western food, burgers, Mediterranean food

Read a full review here. See a listing for Calix.

Sushi Onodera Ginza

Onodera Ginza does offer diners a good amount of bang for buck. It serves teppanyaki in one room, tempura in another, and omakase (chef’s choice) sushi from a main bar. You’ll definitely leave sated, even partaking from the less expensive menu.

Total Verdict: 4/5
Price: RMB880-1480 per person
Who’s going: Japanese expats, well-heeled locals
Good for: sushi, impressing guests, Bund dining

Read a full review here. See a listing for Sushi Onodera Ginza.

New Bars

Botanist

Part mad scientist laboratory, chic bar and green house, Botanist's drinks are served in ways you could never even dream of. It won’t be for you if you like a classic bar atmosphere or cheaper drinks, but we found it to be a serious bar and a trendy choice for drinks with friends this summer.

Price: RMB200-300 per person
Who’s going: young local hipsters, Taiwanese expats
Good for: cocktails, non-smoking, al fresco drinking, small groups

Read a full review here. See a listing for Botanist.

The Hop Project

New craft brewery The Hop Project's taps are currently stocked to the brim with brews hailing from Beijing’s renowned Jing-A Brewery (京A). All that, and the infamous pickle shot. Be sure to grab a grilled cheese so you aren't too hungover the next day.

Price: drinks from RMB25.
Who's going: local beer nerds, Yongkang Lu patrons
Good for: craft beer, casual drinking, lunch, quick eats, snacks

Read a full review here. See a listing for The Hop Project.