August rounds out the hot and humid season – when just the mere thought of cooking strikes fear in the depths of our hearts.
Luckily, there are some new restaurants eager to help us avoid that chore.
Bottega. Image by Sophie Steiner/That’s
For starters, everyone’s favorite Napoli pizza joint, Bottega, has expanded into Jing’an, with a second location in the new food complex on Shaanxi Bei Lu, just north of the Beijing Xi Lu intersection.
READ MORE: Bottega: Grabbing a Slice of Shanghai's Napoli Pizza Action
Paying tribute to Italian fashion and culture – through collaboration with popular Italian brands like Aperol, Ferrero Rocher, La Gioiosa Prosecco and Bialetti – expect a vibrant disco atmosphere.
Bottega. Image by Sophie Steiner/That’s
The new venue boasts the same authentic Neapolitan pizza that has won international acclaim, but with a revamped vibe and a stellar lineup of homemade, bona fide Italian gelato – perfect to round out summer!
The new spot also features a dedicated wine area, where customers can open the designated fridges and grab wines of their choosing, organized by price for a more approachable customer experience.
Amuni. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Speaking of gelato, Amuni is one of the city’s newest Italian gelaterias to swing its doors open in town along Yongjia Lu.
Backed by Tik-Tok sensation and Italian native Alessandro Conti (Xiahongshu: Alexx雪), the shop doles out over 20 flavors, with seasonal options rotating monthly.
Going for RMB38, RMB48, and RMB58 for a small, medium, or large portion, flavors range from classics, like Sicilian pistachio, tiramisu, and hazelnut, to the contemporary, like black sesame, lychee, and passion fruit yogurt.
Amuni. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Italian coffee is also served, with the obvious choice being the affogato – one that combines both freshly scooped gelato of your flavor choosing and Italian espresso.
Mozarella e Vino. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Neighborhood European bistro Mozzarella e Vino is opening second location along the Xuhui riverside this October.
Expect essentially a copy-paste of this beloved outpost, translating to a wider delivery radius for all things cheese and wine.
READ MORE: Say Cheese! Mozzarella e Vino Offers 60 Cheeses & All-Day Dining
Image courtesy of Meso
Backed by some of the ex-Yugo Grill team, Meso – a new fast-casual burger joint on Yejiazhai Lu, right across from NYC Deli – has just opened under seasoned Serbian chef Milos Durdevic.
Starting at just RMB58, the burgers combine a Serbian style patty with a Western burger setup, and range from the classics to the creatives, with everything from four cheese burger to tuna steak with avocado and feta, from beef tenderloin steak burger to bacon-wrapped chicken breast stuffed with gorgonzola, and more – all between two buns.
The quaint space also has outdoor seating, ideal for a cheeky mixer, clocking in as low as RMB35, with Peddlers negronis for only RMB40.
Image courtesy of The Pearl
The Pearl is taking over its neighborhood, with a new semi-connected venue, playfully christened The Pearl’s Box Office, and featuring handmade craft pizzas, deli sandwiches, and salads.
The Pearl has teamed up with legendary Peruvian chef and restaurateur Eduardo Vargas (of Azul Group) to create a new and fresh menu, with an in-house baker.
READ MORE: Eduardo Vargas: The Life & Times of a Shanghai Legend
Box Office will be open daily, with delivery services and late-night hours to accommodate Pearl clients who want one last tipple or a tasty morsel before heading home.
It will also serve as The Pearl’s merch shop, offering an ever-growing selection of Pearl swag. And rumor has it, The Pearl isn't stopping there, with big plans for more expansion to come.
Image courtesy of Azul Pudong
Speaking of Azul, the Azul Group has rebranded its Xouk restaurant in Pudong as Azul Pudong. Familiar to most in the city, Azul is the flagship brand of the aforementioned Eduardo Vargas and, having turned 20 last year, is a true Shanghai stalwart.
The restaurant serves up sophisticated Latin fare in a colorful, open space, with room for 80 people in the dining room, plus a spacious patio out front with seating for another 20.
People of Pudong – head along for fantastic food, good times, and a very generous opening period discount!
READ MORE: 42% Off at New Azul Pudong!
That’s Shanghai 2022 Mixologist of the Year, Robin Leung (previous Senior Bartender of Coa), is opening his own bar – The Tuxedo – on Sinan Lu.
Named after a variation of the classic martini, the Tuxedo was first invented in 1893 at the Waldorf Astoria New York, and has evolved to include numerous renditions throughout its history.
This has provided inspiration for the new venue's drink menu, a concept that will focus on 'post-modern classic cocktails,' meaning a reinterpretation of classic cocktails using contemporary methods to achieve similar yet elevated flavors through modern means.
The bar will embody an East-meets-West retro vibe, with a mix of ‘oriental charm’ and an ‘innovative atmosphere,’ and is set to open by late September.
Image courtesy of Key West
In other bar news, Key West has taken over the old three-level Brewlosophy space on Yanping Lu, just north of Xinzha Lu.
The bar will open this coming fall with a similar menu to the existing Key West bar on Shaanxi Nan Lu, so expect whimsical cocktails with equally out-there presentation and bar fare snacks.
Image courtesy of Tripe Neck
Over on Xinzha Lu, Shanghai native Henry Wang (who cut his teeth in London's bar industry) has returned home to open a three-story bar, playfully called Triple Neck, with the design narrative inspired by the movie and novel phenomena surrounding Dune. Each floor will incorporate elements from different Dune planets, while simultaneously offering separate drink menus plus a distinct feel, moving more from evening into night as patrons ascend.
Set to open early October, the cocktails (a collaboration with Elon Soddu from London's Amaro Bar) will feature Shanghainese ingredients and Chinese teas, amongst other Shanghai-inspired details.
Image courtesy of Masala Mantra
Masala Mantra – a casual Indian food eatery – has opened in Super Brand Mall, backed by the previous manager of Kebabs on the Grille.
The menu sees an ample spread of classic Indian cuisine, such as chicken tikka, palak paneer, and tandoori lamb to Goan prawns, chicken vindaloo and lamb rogan josh, with most dishes clocking in under RMB80.
Image courtesy of La Jade
Previous Chef of Michelin-starred Yongfoo Elite, Liu Chang (who boasts an impressive pedigree spanning 15 years of work in Italy at Michelin-starred Ristorante Tokuyoshi, as well as globally acclaimed Noma) has combined forces with two Italian chefs, Julio Cesar and Vitória, to open La Jade along Yan'an Xi Lu in Changning District.
After quietly swinging its doors open a little less than half a year ago, this fine dining establishment has already garnered quite the following, with all 10 of the coveted daily seats already booked through the end of September.
The menu is a blend of Nordic style and Japanese elements, guiding diners through seasonal flavors during the 16-course set dinner. To make a reservation, contact through WeChat: 153 1709 1253.
Image courtesy of Chateau Chili Bistro
Chateau Chili Bistro opened on Jianguo Zhong Lu in the end of 2023, serving up a combination of French-leaning European bistro cuisine with Sichuan touches at pocket-friendly prices.
Backed by Claire Chen (previous owner of Bisou), this establishment is designed in a French-style chateau setting with a semi-open kitchen and bar as the focal point.
The menu spans French classic dishes – like snails, pan-fried foie gras, and the like – plus a strong emphasis on quality seafood, with dishes like spicy clam pasta, grilled Canadian spot prawns, and blue mussels.
The rest of the space is comprised of a glass wine cellar, a dimly lit dining area, private rooms and an outdoor terrace.
Image courtesy of Mesa Alegre
Spanish-Asian hybrid restaurant Mesa Alegre has soft opened on Ruining Lu in the West Bund area, sporting Mediterranean flavors and an abundant wine selection.
Expect typical Spanish fare – like a variety of croquetas, paella, and tapas plates of oil-preserved sardines, carpaccio and tartare – plus grilled proteins.
Roam( 糊游). Image via Dianping
Roam (糊游) is the newest restaurant-meets-club establishment in town, located along Yan’an Zhong Lu, opened by same team as Tang.
This three-floor venue spans a restaurant on the ground floor, a bar on the second, and a full-fledged techno club on the third, encouraging floaters to seep up the stairs as the evening marches on into late-night.
The restaurant serves up modern Chinese fare, like crispy pig ears, cumin-spiced potatoes, beef tartare with puffed rice crackers, sautéed spicy conch, and grilled steak.
Image courtesy of The Sandbox Lounge
Based on the Metaverse platform The Sandbox Game, The Sandbox Lounge launched this month at the Bund Financial Center (BFC), with Vermutholgy owner and bar veteran Robert Vicencio a co-founder.
Blending Web3 digital universe culture with real-world experiences and hospitality, the space is a place for Gen Z digital collectors and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Image courtesy of Bonica
Onto closures, the Armada Group has made the decision to relocate its five-concept space – made up of Bonica, La Barra, La Mezcaleria, Tacos El Paisa, and Loggia – currently in the AUNN creative hub building off of Yanping Lu.
READ MORE: Cancel Your Dinner Plans & Make a Beeline for Bonica
Tacos El Paisa & La Mezcaleria. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
While Bonica and La Barra closed earlier this month (with a blowout party), La Mezcaleria and Tacos El Paisa will host their last day tomorrow (August 31), so make sure to get your final fill of all things Mexico City street tacos and mezcal.
READ MORE: The Taco & Mezcal Gods Have Spoken: La Mezcaleria Is the One
But wait, the silver lining is that the team is planning to reopen in the coming months with a revamped concept in a soon-to-be-announced location.
The same backbone will still exist – techno dance club meets taco bar meets mezcal drinks, just in a new, more cohesive format, with all aspects integrated into one.
Stay tuned, more details to come soon!
18 by Frederic Anton. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Like a flash in the Bund pan, L’Atelier 18 (previously dubbed 18 by Frederic Anton) closed unexpectedly this month less than two months following the breakup.
The eponymous French chef split from Bund 18 in June, after just six months of partnership, along with the rest of his team. With the concept drifting rudderless, the closure sadly seemed inevitable.
What will happen with the space is still up in the air.
Roodoodoo. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Celebrated three Michelin-starred chef Paul Pairet’s (Ultraviolet, Mr & Mrs Bund, Polux, Charbon) most recent concept in Pudong, Roodoodoo – an all day, every day snack and bakery-centric casual dining concept in IFC Mall – has officially closed.
Just a little over a year following the opening, the team has decided to shut down operations, instead leaning into their other restaurant concepts.
Image courtesy of Chuan & Thai
Chuan & Thai, located in Suzie’s Garden, along with its second location in INS, will both close at the end of this month due to "unforeseen visa-related issues."
In its place, a new concept, most likely centering around Guizhou cuisine, is set to open by the end of September.
Suzie’s Garden, meanwhile, will continue operating as normal with its usual wine bistro offerings.
Din Tai Fung. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
In wider China food news, Din Tai Fung, the legendary Taiwanese restaurant chain known for its world-famous xiaolongbao, is shuttering 14 locations across Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xi’an, and Xiamen.
READ MORE: 14 Din Tai Fung Restaurants to Close Across China
Don’t worry, Shanghai isn’t effected... for now. Fingers crossed it stays that way!
Got a hot tip? Feel free to email all juicy rumors to sophiesteiner@thatsmags.com.
Read more Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip.
[Cover image via tricycle.org]
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