Local Talk: Maoming Nan Lu

By Christian Seiersen and Callum McCaffery

Shanghai Tattoo

Local legend Ting has assembled a crack team of tattoo artists to bring what is possibly the least intimidating (and definitely the coolest) tattoo parlour in Shanghai. The six-year-old studio has capitalised on a recent move to the spacious top floor of a renovated industrial complex by bringing in a pool table and cinema room. They also throw the odd wild party for good measure, making full use of a large balcony for summer barbecues. All that, and did we forget to mention their awesome tattoos? One of Ting’s latest works includes a forearm portrait of Albert Einstein (tattoos RMB 700 upwards).

Shanghai Tattoo, 4F, 1 Maoming Nan Lu, near Yan'an Zhong Lu. Tel: 136 1181 4666. Web: www.shanghaitattoo.com

Soul Dancing

If music be the food of love, then this dance studio is a veritable banquet. Boasting three spacious studios, would-be Shakiras can try their hand at anything from salsa to pole dancing (RMB 120 for a drop-in class). If your hips are too shy, private tuition is also available for a range of different traditional and contemporary dance styles (RMB 500). The weekly hour-long classes attract a wide mix of local and expat clients and are split into three skill levels to cater to all ranges of ability (RMB 1,600 for 16 classes).

Soul Dancing. 2F, 1 Maoming Nan Lu, near Yan'an Zhong Lu. Tel: 152 0176 9202. Web: www.souldancing.cn

Lyceum Theatre

Festooned in the high arches and brown bricks characteristic of the swinging thirties, this landmark’s exterior is a visual throwback to an era when the city gave itself to the vice and glamour of the time. Nowadays, Lyceum’s cavernous 680-seat theatre is a platform for Chinese and English productions ranging from opera to a recent staging of Alice in Wonderland (tickets RMB 100-900). Courtesy of a recent renovation, the atrium’s polished marble floors and gold plated walls are a gracious nod to Greco-Roman times. The perfect setting for a cultured chin-wag before the show.

Lyceum Theatre. 57 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Tel: 6217 8530

Di Shui Dong

Popular among locals and tourists alike, Di Shui Dong is considered one among the finest Hunanese eateries in town. Strings of red chillies dangle ominously from its walls, but you will remember Di Shui Dong for its deliciously tantalising meals, rather than being simply overpowered by their spiciness. The signature dish, Hunan-style spare-ribs dry-rubbed in cumin (RMB 58) is a succulent slice of heaven, served with a tasty sprinkled topping of aniseed, chilli and spices. And to wash it all down, there’s the light and refreshing German beer, Karmeliter on tap (RMB 48).

Di Shui Dong. 2F, 56 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Tel: 6253 2689. Web: www.dishuidong.com

Pane e Vino

Guests at Pane e Vino can indulge in a real taste of Calabria, with a vast selection of deliciously creamy pastas (RMB 100 upwards) and thin crust Italian pizzas (RMB 88 upwards) to choose from, all of which use homemade recipes and specially imported ingredients. There’s also a fantastic selection of Italian wines to pair with your meal, including the Ruffino Riserva Ducale (RMB 448), an Italian red wine which proves molto bene with its floral, fruity aroma and it’s sweet taste.

Pane e Vino Restaurant. Bldg 7, 207 Maoming Nan Lu, near Yongjia Lu. Tel: 5645 2177

J’s Select

J’s Select isn’t a big store, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. The Japanese manager Ishimoto Taiga, who flies to Tokyo and Osaka once a week to bring new designs for both men and women straight from the land of the rising sun, handpicks all the clothes on offer. Great looking pieces (and a few weird and wonderful eccentricities) can be found here including polka dot shirts, with prices ranging from RMB 300.

J’s Select. 124 Maoming Nan Lu, near Nanchang Lu. Tel: 6467 9803

Jimmy’s Kitchen

Jimmy’s Kitchen is a restaurant with a long history, thought of as the original expat restaurant. Named after a former US Deputy Marshal Jimmy James who opened a greasy spoon for soldiers on Daming Lu in 1924, Jimmy’s Kitchen offers a vast selection of cuisine spanning all corners of the world, meaning that you can find a range of delicious dishes from English bangers and mash (RMB 98) to Indian curries (RMB 128 upwards). Their steaks however (RMB 98 upwards) are particularly to die for, made using high temperature broilers (650°C) to increase their moistness and flavour to the fullest.

Jimmy's Kitchen. 1F, Jinjiang Hotel, 59 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Tel: 6466 6869