Another month, another batch of F&B gossip to dish out. First up, some news on "Chef of the Century" Joël Robuchon: not only are plans for the Atelier at Bund 18 steaming ahead, there will also be a Salon du Thé inside the luxurious IAPM mall opening soon.
After a brief sojourn, Xintiandi Italian Va Bene is back in business, and with a sleek new look to boot. Barely recognizable from its former self, we highly approve of its darkly sexy new design.
Meanwhile on Changshu Lu, old Piro is out, and Charlie’s, a new retro looking joint selling hamburgers and milkshakes is in. Happily for Piro fans, management says it will be moving to a different location in town.
Up on Danshui Lu there’s good news and bad. Bad is that the council plans to tear down this historic neighborhood in the coming years to make way for more commercial development (read: shopping malls); good is that there’s a fab little eatery called Bites & Bottle-O recently opened there. Very affordable and with an exceptional house Riesling for RMB40.
Lots of exciting things afoot at Calypso, the Mediterranean restaurant betwixt Reel Mall and the Kerry Centre in Jing’an. Not only do they have a talented new chef, Spaniard Alvaro Roa, they’re also bringing in four Michelin-starred chefs from out of town for a special dinner on October 26. Stay tuned for more details.
Lots of interesting goings on in the bar world this month – first up is news that The Shelter is finally open again after its recent renovations. Same old Shelter, better sound system, better bar, better toilets, no ‘commercial’ music.
Another new bar on Wuyuan Lu! Seems every month this lively little street gets a new F&B venue. This month it’s Bar Del Castello, which servers tell us is under the same management as Italian eatery Fat Mama next door. Best thing about this place is that you can smell freshly baked pizza wafting out the oven by the bar.
On Shaanxi Bei Lu, very newly opened Rooster 2 is already ruling the roost, in what was one of the quickest renovations we’ve ever seen in Shanghai. Get in on their soft opening drink deals while they last!
There’s also a new lounge bar opening up at Fuxing Soho Plaza called Soma Lounge. Looking far hipper than the current outlets at this largely soulless inner-city mall, we’re intrigued to see what this place has to offer. Our bet is wine.
Another mysterious opening is underway at Shaanxi Nan Lu and Fuxing Lu. Where Geisha club used to be, more specifically. Named Lea Club, this new incarnation looks to be another boozy nightlife den. Fine by us.
> Feel free to email us any tips, gossip and rumours vicious or otherwise to dining@urbanatomy.com.
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