The Place
Buffet dinners don’t always scream ‘luxury.’
But with a tantalizing array of international dishes and a sleek appearance, the new Marche Movenpick at UpperHills mall manages to give off upscale vibes. The space appears well-lit, clean – notwithstanding an ‘average’ sanitation rating – and reminiscent of similar offerings at hotels. Diners fetch their own drinks, dishes and even cutlery, although amenities such as kids’ corner with a mini-climbing wall help make up for it.
On entry we’re given a charge card, then let loose to browse a selection of drinks, salads, pastas, pizzas, grilled meats, sides and more.
The Food
Portions are generous, although pricing varies – an Americano is a surprisingly reasonable RMB15, but a towering slice of ‘apple pie’ sets us back RMB45.
Rosti – fried, golden-brown potato pancakes – are advertised as a specialty, and a cheddar-covered one (RMB54) doesn’t disappoint. The marinara sauce in our pasta (RMB85) is also hearty, although the handmade spaghetti has an off-putting, gummy texture.
The sides, however, pleasantly surprise us with skillful use of fresh ingredients. A crusty slice of bread topped with tart tomato bruschetta (RMB9) is a highlight of the night, while the cream of mushroom soup (RMB19) is chock-full of finely-chopped Portobello.
The Vibe
Despite the do-it-yourself model, Marche is not completely casual. Instead, it’s a scaled-down, cheaper alternative to the ubiquitous hotel buffet, and perfectly suitable for business lunches.
On the weeknight we visit, however, it’s more a destination for friends and family trying out the latest installment of the international franchise. It’s certainly different from the average buffet in Shenzhen, and with a set of (mostly) solid Western dishes, a safe bet for homesick Europeans as well.
Price: RMB80-120
Who’s going: families, homesick expats
Good for: pigging out on Western food, custom meals
Nearest metro: Lianhuacun (Exit C), 20 minutes
See listing for Marche Movenpick.
[Photos by Evelyn Wang, Bailey Hu]
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