Pushkin Triangle – we’ve all spent too many a late night (or early morning) under the watchful eye of the great Russian poet, ordering up steaming bowls of chao mian to stave off the inevitable hangover and abate the late night munchies. All roads from Pushkin’s statue seem to lead to cirrhosis, but Sara Villareal, owner of The Villa, a modern women’s boutique, showed TALK the surprisingly sober side of the Dongping/Yueyang/Taojiang intersection – and one or two of her favourite watering holes too, of course.

The Villa

Just a couple of years ago, the two floor space now known as The Villa was a fruit stand and an abandoned Japanese bar, but now the space has been transformed into a unique shopping experience for Shanghai’s fashionistas. Stocked with over 18 labels and stylishly blending modern with vintage, The Villa has something for everyone, a fact Villareal notes, saying, “If you’re a fashion-oriented person, it would be hard to not find something you like here. Designs come straight from the runway to my store.”

1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu. Tel: 6466 9322. Web: www.shopthevilla.com

Sun Home

Next door to The Villa lies a cosy and quirky furniture shop with the city’s best selection of eclectic rugs and couches. Miniature living rooms are divided up by a variety of Oriental screens around the showroom, colourful knick-knacks line every shelf and a red loveseat steals the show in the centre of the store. “I’ve already bought an armoire, rug and some tchotchkes from here,” says Villareal. “And I plan on buying more when my wallet allows me to!”

1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu. Tel: 5465 8596

Goga

Brad Turley of Maya and New Heights fame recently opened up his latest venture – a Cali-Asian eatery owned and run entirely by the veteran chef. Goga is small; 18 people can squeeze into the dining room, while another 18 can enjoy their West Coast flavours al fresco on the upstairs patio – which is a big draw for Villareal. “Anything with outdoor seating is what I gravitate toward,” the native Californian says. Her favourite item on the menu is the California chicken salad, but she’s hard-pressed to think of a dish of Turley’s she hasn’t enjoyed.

1 Yueyang Lu, near Dongping Lu. Tel: 6431 9700