An exclusive collaboration with the city's foremost (some say pickiest) food blogger, That's x Shanghai Girl Eats brings you monthly reviews of new, and not-so-new restaurants.
Gracie's is known for her sweet and fattening ice cream shop located at Xinle and Donghu Lu (and on Sherpa's for delivery!) In the same space now comes Al's Diner, named appropriately after Gracie's real life other half Alwin – a sweet and savory pairing if you will.
Ice cream here is undoubtedly good (my current favorites are miso caramel or malt, sea salt & dark chocolate) and for such a wide repertoire, ranging from pancakes to fried rice, the food is surprisingly good too. What all the offerings have in common, however, is that they are deliciously dangerous for the waistline.
1. Crazy banana milkshake with rum (RMB70) and pumpkin ice cream milkshake (RMB60).
Recommend: No.
The banana milkshake was on the extreme alcohol side and the pumpkin ice cream slightly too thick and grainy.
2. Blueberry lemon-ricotta pancakes (RMB60) with mixed berry compote, candied lemon zest.
Recommend: yes.
Currently the frontrunner on my Shanghai pancake list. The batter is fluffy and embedded with fresh whole blueberries and a touch of ricotta. I heard these were previously plain pancakes topped with blueberries and sauce so it was nice to see this dish has had a fruity upgrade.
3. Purgatory eggs (RMB65) two eggs baked in cazuela, chorizo, potatoes, ricotta, chipotle-tomato sauce, flour tortillas, sour cream.
Recommend: no.
No matter which way I look at this, it is a pan of scrambled eggs that I think you are supposed to make scrambled egg fajitas out of, but it just didn't click for me. Poached or runny eggs, please.
4. That breakfast sandwich thing we make (RMB65) with housemade Sichuan-pepper pork sausage, scrambled eggs, English muffin, chili-corn rémoulade and house potatoes or salad.
Recommend: yes.
Think of this as a deluxe sausage and egg muffin sandwich - great with some hot sauce.
5. Patty melt (RMB85) double Australian beef patty, caramelized onion, sautéed mushrooms, Gouda cheese, side of fries and side of two sunny side eggs (+RMB15).
Recommend: yes.
Two beef patties sandwiched in between buttery toasted bread. The patty has this really beefy flavor that works well with the sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. We added a side of runny eggs to break onto the crispy matchstick fries.
6. Chinese sausage & kimchi fried rice (RMB45) with kimchi, leeks, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, gochujang paste, sunny side up farm egg.
Recommend: yes.
I don't know where this fits into a diner menu amongst pancakes, sandwiches, and ice cream, but it is delicious. The element of sweetness from the addition of Chinese sausage makes this a home run.
7. Mini bucket o' wings (RMB55) with honey Sriracha, coleslaw.
Recommend: no.
The wings and legs have crispy skin but are dry on the meat.
8. Chicken skin (RMB35).
Recommend: yes.
Instead of the chicken wings, ditch the meat and opt for the crispy chicken skin.
Price: RMB150-200 per person
Who’s going: mixed crowd of hungover expats and locals
Good for: brunch, breakfast, pancakes, ice cream, lunch
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