Food for Thought: October 2012
Every month, our dining columnist gives you all the news that’s fit to dish. Find out the newest hotspots and the latest closings, as well as the tastiest events in town for October.
It’s not even Halloween yet, but already frightening things have come our way. Some of our favourite dining spots (actually, a whole slew of them on Maoming Nan Lu) suddenly closed their doors, supposedly because of the landlord’s decision to not renew their leases. Among them were Pane e Vino, Las Tapas and Blue Frog (all located on 207 Maoming Nan Lu, near Yongjia Lu). But no fear, Pane e Vino has opened a new location within Sinan Mansions (47 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu) and Las Tapas has moved to Huaihai Lu (C6, Bldg 69, 570 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Sinan Lu). Phew!
We also had a few fears for Jing’an’s much loved Tex Mex restaurant Cantina Agave (291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu). However never fear, Mexican food addicts: the venue has merely been renovating and has since officially re-opened its doors. This means that you’ll be able to consume its signature burritos, enchiladas and nachos all over again – and don’t forget the margaritas to wash them down with.
Also on the upward swing of things is the opening of Camelia (210 Century Avenue, near Pucheng Lu) at the brand new Four Seasons Hotel in Pudong. Here, you can expect exquisite French and Japanese cuisine alongside exceptional paired fine, French wines.
And on the subject of wine, Enoterra, one of Shanghai’s most popular wine bars, has just opened its third location at the corner of Jiaozhou Lu and Wuding Lu in Jing’an District. That should give ample competition to Maya (568 Julu Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu)’s autumn season’s pairing of Argentinean wines with its noteworthy Mexican cuisine.
Another new opening has sprung up within the Taikang Terrace, the talented Chef Lex Hauser (M on the Bund, The Purple Onion) and restaurateur Steve Baker joining forces to create Larder Bar and Grill (171 Jianguo Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu). This new place, a comfortable little Aussie eatery with ample grilled meat and seafood platters to share has us feeling we might need to pay a visit to Taikang Terrace more often.
And also on our bucket list for this month is Hikari (3911 Hongmei Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu) with its signature Hikari Roll promotion (RMB 85), running until the end of the month. The generous spread of mayonnaise across an entire roll of spicy salmon, tempura fried shrimp, tuna, eel and wasabi is so good that you might find yourself ordering two.
With all the new selection popping up, it seems this October doesn’t look so scary at all! Bon appetit!
