Shanghai Restaurant Review: Velluto

By Tongfei Zhang, July 7, 2015

The place

Neighbor to the century-old Peace Hotel and steps away from the Bund, Velluto is a chic high-end Italian restaurant hidden in historic Bund 66, run by Venetian chef Bardi Damiano.

The food

We tried the five-course wine dinner menu (RMB498/person with wine pairing) and started with whisked Venetian-style cod on soft corn meal (paired with a light Italian Prosecco). An unconventional-sounding dish, but we bet you’ll fall for it once you take a bite. As an echo of the restaurant name – which literally translates as “velvet” – the tender cod is beaten into a delicate and creamy, velvet-like filiform, sitting as a ball in a center of maize.

Following the black ink spaghetti with baby squid, the main course is served with two options of crusted sea bass fillet paired with Chardonnay, or Angus tenderloin in red wine sauce paired with Chianti Classico. The sauce is a bit heavy for the portion we tried, but we loved the tender and subtle texture of the beef, which goes well with light and fruity Chianti – a classic pairing that’s hard to beat.

Food verdict: 2/3

The vibe

Dim and modern, this spot exudes a vintage charm that is equally perfect for a romantic candle-lit dinner or a wedding anniversary celebration. Two sizable Renaissance-style private rooms with projectors are available for business lunches or dinners. If only there were an outdoor al fresco spot overlooking the bustling commercial street below – that would have been perfect.

Vibe verdict: 0.5/1

Value for money

The RMB498 seasonal wine dinner saves you the time and trouble of pairing wines with each course. That said, this cellar-like restaurant does have a good deal of quality wines available by the bottle, and far be it from us to discourage some experimentation. Overall, Velluto represents good value for Bund-side dinners, and especially for wine lovers.

Value for money: 0.5/1