2012 Shanghai Valentine’s Day Dinners

By Melissa K Trias & Jamie Barys

Looking to impress your Valentine with a sumptuous dinner? We rounded up some of the most romantic meals in town for this year’s Valentine’s Day. Now all you have to do is make a reservation.

Alchemist Cocktail Kitchen

Offering more than just molecular libations, Alchemist’s Valentine’s Day five course menu starts with Champagne and caviar before getting creative with fried goat’s cheese beignets and fresh lobster bouillabaisse with “non-traditional chorizo”. RMB 888 per couple.

Sinan Mansions,  Block 32, 45 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu. Tel: 6426 0660. Email: karendanping.yang@gmail.com

Ambrosia (Fenyang Lu)

On 14 February, lovers in Shanghai can enjoy a yakiniku or a teppanyaki Valentine’s dinner featuring Japanese delicacies and two complimentary cocktails.

RMB 1,688 + 10%. 150 Fenyang Lu, near Taojiang Lu. Tel: 6431 3935

Bon Vivant

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to sample the latest from Justin Quek. The five course dinner includes a glass of Taittinger Rose NV, as well as salmon and oyster tartare, black truffle risotto with foie gras and lobster and more decadent treats.

RMB 568 per person. 303A, 3F, Lippo Plaza, 222 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Songshan Lu. Tel: 3330 0717 

CHAR

Enjoy a dinner designed for sharing at CHAR. The romance infused menu promises a sensually satiating experience. Singles can also take advantage of CHAR’s ‘My Own Valentine’ deal, featuring a ‘singles only’ nosh and cocktail mixer from 6 – 8pm. RMB 1,999 for couples.

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund, 585 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu. Tel: 3302 9995. Web: www.char-thebund.com

Chicha

Eduardo Vargas has designed a special eight-course menu of smaller bites. Is there any evidence that aphrodisiacs really work? Mixologist Hektor Monroy will try to confute it with a complimentary aphrodisiac cocktail.

RMB 750. Sinan Mansions, 47 Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6418 0760

De Refter

Jinxian Lu's new Belgian brasserie is offering a five-course dinner for two including its authentic double-fried Belgian fries, a heart-shaped apple pie and a draft beer for him and a beer cocktail for her. The couple will also get a box of Belgian chocolates to take home.

RMB 468 per couple. 181 Jinxian Lu. Tel: 3230 2595.

Downstairs

Dinner features a platter of appetisers, two main course meals, desserts and a bottle of wine. Reserve an intimate dinner ahead and you'll have a chance to win a night’s stay, to boot.

RMB 888. 183 Jiaozhou Lu. Tel: 5172 1300. Web: www.urbnhotels.com/restaurant

Issimo

The recently refreshed hip hotspot has created a five-course feast for two, priced at RMB 1,088 per couple, to showcase the very best of the extensive Issimo menu. This evening gets underway with a welcome glass of Kir Royal, fresh oysters and cured salmon in the candlelit intimate rustic setting of Issimo’s dining room.

931 Nanjing Xi Lu. Tel: 3302 4997. Web: www.jiashanghai.com

Jimmy’s Kitchen

To make the meal a real romantic sharing experience, diners can choose Jimmy’s legendary dry aged Australian grain fed prime rib of beef on the bone served with cauliflower mac and cheese, sautéed seasonal vegetables shallot and red wine sauce to share and many more.

59 Maoming Nan Lu.Tel: 6466 6869. Web: www.jimmys.com

Käfer

On Valentine’s Day Kafer is offering a five-course dinner featuring foie gras, tiger prawns and wagyu beef and chocolate cake for dessert. Dinner includes two Bellinis.

RMB 1,314 per couple. Youlong Garden, Shibu Jie, Fucheng Lu, near Huayuanshiqiao Lu. Tel: 5877 7500. Web: www.bln.com.cn

La Fourchette

The French brasserie is offering a lavish four course menu for lovers that covers all the basics. Your options will include lobster, oysters, king prawn, foie gras, beef tartare, veal, salmon and more. La Fourchette is also offering Champagne specials to help get you in the right mindset.

RMB 788 per couple. 1 Xiangyang Lu, near Julu Lu. Tel: 6413 6389

Madison

Madison’s five course menu includes the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, including a pan-roasted squab with foie gras, lobster steak with black truffle sauce and brown butter ice cream. RMB 1, 314 per couple includes two glasses of champagne.

3F, 18 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu. Tel: 6437 0136

MAYA

Their five-course couples menu features pan fried baby scallop, wild mushroom soup, poached mustard agave-crusted cod, slow-roasted smoked chipotle beef short-rub and a Mexican chocolate brownie.

RMB 888 per couple. 2F, Grand Plaza Club House, 568 Julu Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. Tel: 6289 6889. Web: www.cosmogroup.cn

Mistral

Bring someone who really means something to you to Mistral on this special day. The restaurant offers a glass of sparkling wine and a wide range of Mediterranean delicacies. To end the dinner, expect a special heart-shaped dessert from the chef. RMB 588. 133 Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6433 4261

Mr & Mrs Bund

Chef Paul Pairet is offering two options for lovers this Valentine’s Day. The ‘Lovers Splurge’ seven course menu includes Kaluga caviar, Jamon Iberico, Gillardeau oysters, Australian Wagyu and more for RMB 1,600 per person. A la carte menus of three courses (RMB 888) or four courses (RMB 1,000) are available from a special menu.

Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. Tel: 6323 9898. Web: www.mmbund.com

Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen

Feast on fine de claire oysters, foie gras terrine with fresh black truffles, seared Maine scallops, oven baked cod, Wagyu beef tenderloin and short ribs and a lover’s dessert sampler. RMB 1,280 per couple, additional RMB 680 per couple for wine pairing.

57 Jiangyin Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu. Tel: 6318 0057. Web: www.napawinebarandkitchen.com

New Heights

This year, New Heights is featuring a “His and Hers” dinner menu on Valentine’s Day that is tailored for the different tastes of ladies and gentlemen. Experience a culinary five-course adventure of sensual spices and fragrant floral flavours. RMB 518 includes one glass of Champagne.

7F, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Tel: 6321 0909. Email: newheights@on-the-bund.com

PIRO

Piro is spreading the love with a prix fixe menu that includes soup and fresh salad for starters; a choice of USDA strip loin steak or shrimp scampi and pasta for main; rounded off with a strawberry ribbon cheesecake and Oreo crust.

RMB 588-688 per person. 91 Changshu Lu, near Changle Lu. Tel: 5403 8513

Table N° 1

Created with the two of you in mind, the menu includes Champagne, prawn with gazpacho garnish, roasted scallops, braised short rib of beef and bone marrow and more, followed by devilishly good desserts. RMB 780 per couple. You can also book a room at the Waterhouse above for just RMB 2,200, including dinner.

Waterhouse Hotel, 1-3 Maojiayuan Lu, near Zhongshan Lu. Tel: 6080 2918. Web: www.tableno-1.com

X Bistro by Bounty

X Bistro by Bounty’s Valentine’s menu includes a hot oyster trio, home cured Norway salmon with tapioca salad, crab bisque with seafood and roasted Wagyu beef with truffle potato puree. RMB 300 per person.

3F, 47 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu. Tel: 138 1892 2735. Web: www.bountybar.cn