Local Talk: Hongmei Lu

By Christian Seiersen

Out in the south-eastern stretches of Shanghai, Hongmei Lu marries the charms of a suburban stretch with the vibrancy of downtown Shanghai. Despite being all the way out in Gubei, the road is a short walk from Line 10’s Longxi Lu. And here, there are crepes to be scoffed, sakes to be sipped and golf clubs to be swung.

Café Montmatre

Montmartre was the beating heart of fin-de-siècle France, housing poets, artists and vagrants alike. And Café Montmatre, despite lacking in wanton debauchery, offers a menu and atmosphere which are nonetheless a shrine to Parisian culture. 

The salads here are particularly good: La Salade Maison (RMB 79), served with foie gras and duck, is smoked to woody perfection. The dessert menu likewise features an irresistible selection of treats, including the Crème Brûlée (RMB 35) and that Parisian mainstay: Wrapped Crepes (RMB 40), served with a light dab of Nutella and a ball of vanilla ice cream. Bon appetit!

Café Montmatre. 3911 Hongmei Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu. Tel: 6261 8089. Web: http://café-montmatre.com 

Mu Gallery

For a blend of contemporary and antique furniture, Mu Gallery is overflowing with distinctive designs that encapsulate many aspects of Chinese culture. Here you’ll find unique pieces like a fibreglass bamboo coat hanger (RMB 1,750) shaped like a tree with protruding branches. The lamps here are also particularly unique; the store specialises in incorporating traditional methodologies into natural designs, such as using the barrel of a Tibetan butter tea maker as a lamp base (RMB 1,680).   

Mu Gallery. Bldg C, 1F, 3213 Hongmei Lu, near Hongsong Lu. Tel: 6405 1135. Web: www.mugallery.cn

Yuding Jujiuwu

With an enticing RMB 188 all you can eat and drink sushi deal, Yuding Jujiuwu shines out among the cluster of Japanese restaurants in this region. As well as having an extensive selection of Rainbow and California rolls, you’ll also find favourites like the Shrimp Tempura Maki (RMB 80), a succulent shrimp dish coated in golden batter and stuffed in a bed of lettuce with drizzles of wasabi mayonnaise. This dish pairs wonderfully with a cup of warm sake (RMB 25).  

Yuding Jujiuwu. 2988 Hongmei Lu, near Wuzhong Lu. Tel: 6401 2880 

Hongqiao Qiuyi Golf Academy

How many of Shanghai’s metropolitan streets can boast a 250-yard driving range on their doorstep? For RMB 120 during weekends, you can tee off for an hour with unlimited balls, or buy 30 balls for RMB 20 if the mood takes you mid-week. Professionals are on hand for lessons to iron out that swing (RMB 880/hour) and clubs can be hired (RMB 20 per club) to avoid slugging around weighty golf bags. 

Shanghai Hongqiao Golf Club. 3000 Hongmei Lu, near Hongsong Lu. Tel: 3462 2660. Web: www.qiuyigolf.com

Dragonfly

Proficient in pampering, Dragonfly’s in-house spa offers a range of services from manicures (RMB 90 upwards) to facial packages that cater to all skin types and complexions (RMB 400 upwards), as well as a unique brand of signature tailored massage packages to fit any occasion. If you’re feeling slightly green around the gills then the Hangover Relief (RMB 120) helps knead out last night’s excess. The Top to Toe (RMB 320) is also particularly recommended, where two masseuses work simultaneously on your upper body and feet respectively. 

Dragonfly, Bldg 5, 3911 Hongmei Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu. Tel: 6242 4328. Web: www.dragonfly.net.cn

D.I.S. (Dutch Items in Shanghai)

To tap into the simple elegance of European fashion, you could do worse than go Dutch at this cute fashion boutique. Specialising in blouses and dresses, the women’s range is awash with a bouquet of block colours, from coral pink to ocean blue. The shop also stocks a range of accessories such as leather sandals (RMB 780) and there’s a small menswear collection including classic everyday pieces like linen trousers – cool and comfy for the office (RMB 450). 

D.I.S. (Dutch Items in Shanghai). Unit B, 1F, Saint Laurent Building, 3215 Hongmei Lu, near Hongsong Lu. Tel: 6406 3661. Web: www.disshanghai.com

Cheers Wine Cellars

Oenophiles will find a fancy they like in this winery’s extensive cellar, housing a vast selection of wines from vineyards across the globe. The reds stocked from Bordeaux vineyard Chateau Grand Mayne’s 2002 harvest (RMB 1,030 upwards) in particular are affordable luxuries with an alluring nose of dark, ripe fruit. And what makes this Spanish villa-esque winery particularly special is it also doubles as an art gallery; take in some wine while enjoying works like the eerie silhouette pieces of Chinese artist Huang Chengyuan (RMB 30,000 upwards).  

Cheers Wine Cellar. Bldg 201A, 3215 Hongmei Lu, near Hongsong Lu. Tel: 6406 3262. Web: www.17i9.com