Endlessly hot and humid, the summer in Shanghai can spoil appetite. Here are some exquisite local restaurants for you to refresh your listless palate.
Shanghai Tang
Fresh cucumber topped with crayfish
Foie gras topped with raspberry cheese power
The new summer menu of Shanghai Tang offers a great way to cool down during this sanfu period (the hottest part of the year), and the restaurant is also an ideal spot to enjoy an enchanting view of the Bund.
Starting with the cold dishes that include braised fish belly and mushrooms, foie gras topped with raspberry cheese power, and fresh cucumber topped with crayfish, you can truly have a breath of cool air on any sultry day. The chef especially makes a homemade sauce and light chicken broth for the cold dishes to help whet the appetite.
As one of the recommendations, the stewed white eggplant cooked with clam broth is worth trying. Now is the best season to enjoy eggplant, known for its meat-like texture and superb ability to absorb sauces and the flavour of other ingredients.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. Shanghai Tang has a light pear ice cream with a chocolate coating. This fresh taste and worry-free dessert contains less sugar.
Opening hours: 11am-2pm, 5-9:30pm
Tel: 6378-7777
Address: 5/F, Bldg N3, 600 Zhongshan Rd E2
中山东二路600号N3幢5楼
Shan Ju Man Long
Braised crabs with Hangzhou-style pian'erchuan noodles.
Steamed Jinhua ham and duck meat topped with jasmine flowers.
As one of the eight great culinary traditions, Zhejiang cuisine features mild, delicate flavors and emphasizes fresh ingredients.
Try the magic match of steamed Jinhua ham and duck meat. The dish is topped with jasmine flower and the fresh flavors linger on the tongue.
The braised qingxie (a signature crab species produced in Zhejiang's Sanmen County) with Hangzhou-style pian'erchuan noodles is also a very popular comfort food. The noodles soak up all the flavors and fragrance from the broth.
Opening hours: 11am-9:30pm
Tel: 1300-3215-003
Address:3/F, 2389 Zhangyang Rd, Pudong New Area
浦东新区张杨路2389号3楼
The C. Steak House
Fresh sea urchin and poached egg soup.
Black truffle foie gras cake
Located beside Suzhou Creek, this French casual dining steak house offers an all-new seasonal menu.
Drawing inspiration from the seasonal produce, the black truffle foie gras cake is one of the signature dishes, especially for birthday celebrations or anniversaries. On the top, the sliced black truffle inside the jasmine tea jelly starts the adventure of this feast journey. The bottom part features sweet apricot meat and mashed pistachios. The aroma is layered and gradually conquers the taste buds.
Fresh sea urchin and poached egg soup is also recommended. This magical match brings you a taste of the sea. The homemade cookie on the top scattered like falling "snowflakes" into the soup, creating a twist to the taste.
Opening hours: 5:30-9:30pm
Tel: 1802-1020-836
Address: 229 Tiantong Rd
天潼路229号
RIVIERA
The appetizer palettes features four dishes ― sliced yellow croaker in brine, preserved crab, clam meat and sea cucumber.
The oyster preserved in Shikumen yellow wine is one of the signature starters.
With a terrace perched overlooking the Bund, RIVIERA serves a generous selection of fresh meat and seafood.
The oyster preserved in Shikumen yellow wine is one of the signature starters. The natural aroma and mild wine flavor pair perfectly with the smooth texture of the oysters. The appetizer palettes feature four dishes – sliced yellow croaker in brine, preserved crab, clam meat, and sea cucumber.
To awaken your tastebuds, the chef prepares eel in a sour and spicy broth, cooked with fresh tomatoes, papaya, lemongrass and galangal. A little homemade fermented chili is added for seasoning, helping to remove the muddy smell of the eel.
Opening hours: 11:30am-1:30pm, 5-9pm
Tel: 3331-3777
Address: 505 Zhongshan Rd E2
中山东二路505号
The Kunlun Jing An
A chef prepares smoked salmon rolls with lemon mayonnaise, and avocado and ham rolls.
The afternoon tea set
A chill afternoon tea set at the lobby of The Kunlun Jing An for two with a pot of Western black tea costs 388 yuan (US$54).
You will have a difficult choice between the rose cheese mousse topped with fresh berries and chocolate, and the financier cake with matcha and lemon cream.
For the savory course, you are recommended to try the hazelnut foie gras cake, smoked salmon roll with lemon mayonnaise, avocado and ham roll, and grilled tuna with crispy seaweed.
The warm caramel or cranberry scone served with homemade fruit jam and Devonshire cream also won't disappoint you.
Opening hours: 2:30-5pm
Tel: 6248-7777
Address: 1/F, 250 Huashan Rd
华山路250号1楼