The Place
Much like 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Hong Kong, Da Ivo is an exceptionally popular restaurant in its original location – Venice in this case – with the concept being packaged up and installed in Shanghai for your dégustation, the first international location for the Da Ivo brand.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The Shanghai venture is led by Yinhe Xu, a Chinese native who regularly did business in Italy and fell in love with Da Ivo. Excited to share her passion with China, she opened Da Ivo on the 23rd floor of Les Suites Orients hotel on the Bund in October 2014.
Here, guests can indulge in authentic Italian cuisine surrounded by fine Murano artwork handmade by Italian master artisans. From Italy to China, from Rome to Shanghai, from traditional to modern, Da Ivo creates a bridge between the two cultures, allowing those from both to enjoy it equally.
The views from the Shanghainese Da Ivo are unrivalled, with breathtaking vistas of both sides of the Huangpu River available from every window in the restaurant (including the toilets, in case you were wondering).
If the views aren’t enough of a draw, Da Ivo offers an opulent décor scheme; one that can be enjoyed basked in sunlight during lunch, sunset for afternoon tea and evening glow for dinner.
The Food
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Da Ivo mainly offers set menus for dinner, like the Black Pearl Recommended Set Menu (RMB1,388/person), that includes seven courses; or the Chef’s Tasting Menu (RMB1,188) of six courses.
Each has an optional wine pairing for an additional RMB888 and RMB688 per person, respectively, plus a 10% service charge.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
We took a spin through the Black Pearl Set, a series of dishes that put Da Ivo on the map eight years ago.
The dining experience begins with an amuse-bouche of prosciutto wrapped melon, followed by a cold starter of King Crab Tartar.
Stacked on a base of mashed avocado, emerald green beads of sturgeon caviar cover the top, popping with salinity. A quenelle of lemon sorbet rests of the side, a citrusy palate cleanser that enhances all seafood.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Next up, pan-fried Foie Gras is flanked by creamy swirls of caramel apple purée and charred pineapple, tart fruits to cut through the buttery goose liver.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
A warming broth of six-hour slow simmered Chicken Consommé is graced with earthy matsutake, black truffle paste and a delicately folded ravioli.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Or opt for a more seasonal offering of velvety Pumpkin Soup with cheese dumplings and shaved almonds.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The star of the show is a radiant plate piled high with cherry tomato cream-sauce soaked linguini and half a steamed Boston Lobster.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The main course is all about the steak, two expertly seared slabs of Australian M9 Wagyu Sirloin, drizzled with a port wine reduction and served with whipped mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable medley.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The pastry chef creates a whimsical mushroom garden for Dessert; a balance of textures and temperatures.
The mushroom is made from whipped cream and tropical fruits encased in soft milk chocolate coated in coconut shreds, while the mushroom ‘base’ is made from coconut ice cream in a hard, white chocolate shell.'
The dessert ‘mushroom’ is surrounded by puffs of meringue, seasonal berries and biscuit crumble.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Da Ivo also offers Afternoon Tea (RMB398) daily from 2-5pm, a boat lined with pastries, tarts, cakes and tiramisu, all studded with fresh fruits, chocolate in various colors and forms and crumbly biscuit dough bases.
Each set comes with your choice of tea plus two glasses of champagne.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Enjoy stunning sunset views across the Bund as you sip your tea and enjoy desserts aplenty, relishing in the magic of this great city.
The Vibe
Da Ivo represents an era of Bund grandeur, a beacon of style and opulence that has stood the test of time, outlasting past trends of the last decade.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
There are no surprises here: you know what you signed up for, and Da Ivo delivers.
White-gloved service, French cooking techniques, flower petal-adorned tables, timeless classics like La Vie en Rose lingering in the background, all with a backdrop of the Paris of the East.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The Price: RMB1,200-RMB3,000
Who’s Going: Wealthy Shanghainese, couples craving a fancy night out, Bund-adjacent celebrations
Good For: Bund date nights, French splurge-worthy dinners, wine and dinner pairing menus
See a listing for Da Ivo.
Read more Shanghai Restaurant Reviews.
[Cover image by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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