2 Year Anniversaire!

I have officially passed the two year mark living in Hong Kong. I never thought that the time would fly by so quickly. I'm still mildly surprised by all that I have managed to accomplish in this short period and am happy about all of life's trials and tribulations, professionally and personally. Fast forward 2 years later, I'm far along the path of becoming a lawyer and am fully immersed as a local Hong Kong-er. It truly feels more like home for me here than anywhere else. My recent trip back to Boston/NYC made me realize that I probably couldn't live in the US right now and most likely, not for the next few years. What would I do without my 24hr Tsui Wah, junk trips, octopus card, and quarterly visits to Thailand?

Sitting in Newark Airport, watching the people of America walk by made me miss very little of the formerly once proud and loud country. What I did miss was the fresher air in Weston, my dysfunctionally close family, our dog Hiro, a few of my closest friends and of course, the FOOD! However, it's probably for the best that I don't eat American sized portions anymore as I now realized why I was 15lbs heavier when I lived in NYC. But, man oh man did I miss the food!

I must admit, one thing that America does well is STEAK. I probably had enough red meat intake during my 3 week visit to last me through the next two years. Everywhere we ate seemed to offer a decent steak on its menu, full of flavour, naturally and humanely raised, and definitely at a much more reasonable price point. I also noticed that eggs tasted more fresh, with distinct flavor between the yolk and the white and whilst at home, they whipped up fluffy and light. Perhaps it's all the US hormones that make them taste better but regardless, it made my omelette this morning (from organic New Zealand eggs) appear a lot less sexy.

Seared sirloin over mixed green bean salad at Stefanie's, Newbury Street


Delicious eggs benedict served over hashbrowns with bacon and cheddar at Mel's, Framingham

To further the cholesterol extravaganza, I clearly overindulged in SEAFOOD. Lobster, oysters, clams, shrimp: you name it, I ate it (in mass quantities). The freshness again and the price point made it hard for me to say no to another round of raw cherrystones and Cape Cod oysters, arrived just that day.

Some highlights from my stay in Boston:

Homemade cavatelli pasta in Giacomo's lobster sauce with lobster meat and giant prawns, Giacomo's, North End

Just barely cooked cod with a diaphanous bernaise sauce topped with caviar, Jo's Brasserie

Tempura Soft Shell Crab at Legal Seafood's, Boston

As I only had four days in NYC, I had to make most of my limited time to eat till my belly physically could no longer store any food. I got off to a good start, stopping by Saigon Bakery for my beloved Banh mi as soon as I arrived to Chinatown.

The #1 BBQ Pork Banh Mi, only $4.25!

My favorite viet sub was followed by a strawberry frasier at the Financier on Wall St which probably wasn't the best idea considering dinner was at 8:30 at another great latin fusion outlet, Yerba Buena:

Tangy, citrus-y and spicy clams ceviche at Yerba Buena

I was lucky to get a table with my good friend from college, Carrie, at Clinton Street Baking in a mere 30 minutes (shortest wait ever!). Of course, I had the pancakes and of course, it was just as glorious as I remember: spongey cake saucers, lightly powdered in sugar, covered in summer blueberry compote, and all dipped in maple buttery goodness.

The meal that remains most salient from my short trip to NYC was to Salinas, a nouveau Spanish eatery, opened only months ago. Located on 9th avenue, b/w 18th and 19th street, I highly recommend making a reservation at Salinas for an intimate dinner with friends. I guarantee, you won't be disappointed.

Each dish was thoughtfully plated and presented with slight artistic flare. The portions tended to be on the slim-side but this made it easier to order a variety of starters and entrees.

Brussels sprouts and cauliflower with smoked paprika at Salinas

Ceviche canario, simple & fresh, but bursting with flavor

A sublime salad of baby romaine with garlic ajili and anchovies,

Grilled Dorade, served with a watercress salad

Other delicious plates included a trio of charcuterie and the steak entree. Even the patatas bravas were amazing, perfectly crisp and seasoned liberally with their signature smoked paprika. Not only was the food excellent, their wine list was equally impressive. Both Rioja's sampled were of top quality, incredibly complex, full bodied, but not in your face.

Lastly, Salina's as as space is quite lovely as well. The main eating area has walls of exposed limestone while the eating area in the back is reminiscent of a posh green house. The front of the house touts a cozy bar area that would make any wait reasonably comfortable. A special thank you is in order to my friend Renaud for the wonderful recommendation.

I must admit, after all this fine dining, I'm blessed to not have gained too much weight (emphasis on the too ). Now that I'm back in Hong Kong, the gym regime has resumed! That doesn't mean however, I'll be forsaking my constantly hungry tumm tumm. Stay tuned for reviews of Yardbird, Al Molo, and Cantopop.

Love, peace, and grease,

Renee

Welcome back sunshine!

Just your regular update on my latest gustatory adventures... I'm a little less ranty these days in terms of food consumed. With a full belly and reasonable dining experiences, I'm feeling a bit more positive about Hong Kong dining. I've done the impossible as well and given up pork and beef Monday through Saturday (my friends know what a meatlover I am) and to be honest, I feel healthier and lighter so maybe this semi-veg foray will be for here to stay! I want to thank my friend Andrea for giving me the inspiration to live a healthier pescatarian lifestyle.

Some of my recent good dining experiences include a fine dining Indian experience in Central, an afternoon on Star Street and my weekly lunches at Tin Hau.

Bombay Dreams, 75-77 Wyndham St, Central

I admit that in many ways, my palette is very Cantonese. As a result, I rarely eat Indian (God forbid the clean favors of my fish or meat be obliterated by the strong spices of tumeric and cumin!). Recently, with gentle encouragement from my boyfriend, I've included Indian food into the bi-weekly rotation. After much practice, I now prefer the more authentic, eat on a pandan leaf style of Indian food. However, for the newbies, I would recommend visiting Bombay Dreams for a gentle introduction to the curries and local favorites. Bombay Dreams presents Indian classics like chicken vindaloo and potatoes and cauliflower without pretentiousness. The flavours of all our dishes were clean albeit somewhat restrained, probably with the ex-pat and local Cantonese person in mind. The naan bread (my faaaav!!!!) was well done and expertly prepared in the glass walled kitchen, an unusual touch for an Indian restaurant which usually keeps it's prep kitchen under wraps. Overall, this would be a great choice in Central if you're looking for a reasonably priced meal in a very upscale setting (approximately $300 per head).

Spicy Chicken Vindaloo

Can't get enough garlic nann :D

Lazy Afternoons in the Star Street Area!

Classifieds, 31 Wing Fung St., Wan Chai

So I've managed to come here not once, but twice in one week! I'm absolutely addicted to their house dressing on watercress, freshly pureed soups, and grilled panini lunch sets that thoroughly satisfy without breaking the bank ($56 for soup and panini). Their pasta specials are also hearty and prepared with noticeably fresh ingredients. It's always a treat to taste vine ripened tomatoes as opposed to ketchup based marinara in HK! In addition to their simple rustic fair, I'm a huge fan of their MASSIVE coffees. At $34 for a large cappuccinno, I was properly caffeinated for several hours after (Quite frankly, I was probably a bit too coffee cracked out!). The food, the ambience, and the endless supply of magazines and newspapers make this one of my favorite spots time and time again.

Duck breast panini with fresh mozzarella and tomato with watercress salad

Epoch, Wan Chai

You'd think that after large cuppa coffees at Classifieds I'd have enough caffeine coursing through my veins to last me through a half marathon. Diagonally across from Classifieds is the coffee shop Epoch. They serve ILLY coffee (rejoice! more great coffee in HK!). Some of my favorites include their Viennese coffee but stay away from their uninspired teas. The decor, free wireless, and excellent soundtrack make this a great study spot.

Delicious Viennese coffee that's probably not great for the waist line -.-

Adventures in Tin Hau: Andrea and Renee take on dining at Tsing Fung St and Electric Road with Gusto!

Kins Kitchen, 9 Tsing Fung Street, Tin Hau

As a promise to eat more locally and more healthy, Andrea and I have decided to try a new restaurant in Tin Hau every week for lunch. So far, we've tried Cafe Eos, Poppy's Restaurant, Fantasy Vegetarian Restaurant, and Kin's Kitchen. While all of them were at least B grade or above, I particularly liked Kin's Kitchen although a bit pricey for lunch. The giant walnut prawns were expertly battered and fried with the nuts inside ($150 for 4 large prawns). The braised noodle with mushrooms was flavorful and exceptionally delicate for being just a noodle dish ($88). Although the presentation was lack lustre, the clean environment certainly made up for that small shortcoming. I would recommend coming here with family or for a work lunch with colleagues several steps up from a cha chan teng.

Fantasy Vegetarian Restaurant, 66 Electric Road, Tin Hau

Fantasy Vegetarian Restaurant garnered less than stellar reviews on OpenRice.com. Perhaps going in with low-expectations actually helped me enjoy the meal more than I would otherwise given the loud wait staff and C-rated cleanliness (I was given a recycled takeaway container which I had to pay for! what?!). I thought our meal was satisfying considering the very reasonable prices. They have large portioned set meals for two starting at $100HKD. You can spend even less by ordering a la carte. The braised tofu with mushrooms was filling and well seasoned and although Andrea wasn't keen on the turnip cake, I thought it was smooth and quite tasty for $3HKD. As a week day vegetarian, I'd definitely come back!

Our massive vegetarian spread for $115

Introducing the "Skunner" List

After my latest disappointing meal at Mesa 15, I was feeling positive that my subsequent dining experiences would only get better. My next attempt was met with the same fatal end: uninspired, overpriced, and definitely not as advertised.

This seems to be a trend as of late and I'm starting to worry about my own ability to discern a good restaurant from a bad one. Even though I usually read all the reviews and am confident that I've done my due diligence, the meals have been mediocre at best. Sadly, I no longer think I can rely on TimeOut, HK Magazine, nor OpenRice.com to give reliable advice. My "Skunner" list is getting longer by the minute and I can say emphatically that I will never dine again in Soho unless desperate (okay, I lie, I still like Posto Publicco but even that's been losing it's lustre ).

THE LATEST LOSERS:

LIMEHOUSE, Wan Chai

Everything from decor to food to service fell below the mark for this critically acclaimed restaurant by TimeOut. What happened to the quaint and cozey decor? I just felt like I was in a white washed room with a couple of wood tables. The small space boasted one waitress and a completely charmless maitre'd. Upon tasting the house wine, a 2009 cab sauv that tasted more vinegar than dark cherry as advertised, I asked the waitress if there was anything else by the glass. The Maitre'd rushed over and said that they had a Chilean wine but then almost immediately reneged his offer. All in all, very odd and slow service at Limehouse.

And the food? Completely forgettable. We tried the fish and chips and the foie and duck egg appetizers. Both were fine but the portions were incredibly small and the price point at $78 and $98 respectively, was not cheap.

The main entrees were slightly better. Out of the seared monkfish, steak diane, and shepard's pie, the pie was by far the best. It was hearty and delicious but again, there was nothing particularly remarkable about it to justify it's $138HKD price tag. It literally just came out as a pie in a casserole dish---they didn't even give me any peas on the side! TimeOut HK magazine, I'm sorely disappointed with your misrepresentation! I definitely would NOT come back here.

Egg was undercooked although the foie and duck liver components blended well with the brioche and yolk.
Steak Diane was well seasoned but again, nothing special.

The best part of the meal, my shepard's pie. Tastey but definitely not worthy making the trek back for.
This was advertised as a raspberry shortcake. It tasted more like a toasted blueberry muffin with a dollop of cream and a couple of berries on top. It was overly sweet and definitely not worth the $48HKD. I will personally toast you a muffin and call it shortcake for a quarter of the price!

YORKSHIRE PUDDING, Staunton St., Soho

I'm really sad to report that my favorite place for Sunday Roast is officially on the Skunner list. Feeling a bit under the weather, I tried their tomato and roasted red pepper soup. It tasted and looked like Worcestershire sauce---eww!!! After two sips, I asked to swap out for their other soup of the day which was a cream of fish. I kid you not, it tasted like cream of butterscotch with floating parcels of overcooked fish nubs. Jay's burger although glorious in its appearance, had the distinct taste of meat tenderiser. If you ever dine here, make sure to stick with what they're good at which is their roasted meats and yorkshire puddings.

My first ever butterscotch flavored soup masquerading as fish chowder

THE WINNERS:

I would like to point out that the restaurants below aren't even what I would call "winners" by a NY standard. They're winners by HK standard which brings me to a topic near and dear to my heart: why do HK eaters expect less and pay more? It's mind boggling to me that people accept the quality of food that they receive and are willing to pay over $300 a meal for something that I could make with a can of prego and borelli dried pasta out of a box. Is it the years away from home that have numbed people's palettes? Are the folks living in HK simply accustomed to an interior standard of food? Or am I just being over critical and unreasonable for applying what I would consider acceptable in Manhattan? Regardless, I'm losing my enamor for non Chinese food dining in HK and it breaks my heart because I love this city.

LIME, Shelley Street, Mid Levels (right off the escalator, above Prince's Terrace)

The decor and location is a bit strange for this brand new Thai bistro, nestled in the mid-levels. The old Lime in Kennedy Town shut down and it decided to reincarnate itself as a tacky green, disco lighted club in an otherwise residential area. Contrary to other reviews, I found their curry hot as hell! I'm not the best when it comes to heat but I'm not pansy either. I had the Tempo tissues out during my entire lunch and it was so refreshing to finally feel the sizzling tingle of a thai curry done right. In the 1.5 years I have lived in the Central area, I have not had a curry as complex in flavor and hot enough to warrant brow sweat. Thank you Lime, green fluorescent lights and all. Lunch sets start at $98 and dinner per head should cost approximately $200-300 per head depending if you drink or not.

Thom Yum Seafood Curry Lunch Set

THE BURGER ROOM, Causeway Bay

All I have to say is why has no one told me about this place yet?! Finding a good burger in HK is like trying to find non-commerical music in a LKF club. I want to personally thank Jay for taking me to Burger Room and for restoring my hope in the HK burger. I've recently crossed off red meat from my list so I ordered the chicken burger:

The chicken was well seasoned, the condiment just right and my potato wedges crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. This meal plus a drink was only $39HKD for the tea set. A great value considering it's the "mini-size" and I was still stuffed afterwards.

Now if you want to go full on cardiac arrest, try the portabella burger smothered in cheese. This thing is so big, you'll need to share it with a friend. In fact, all their regular size burgers are HUGE. And I lied again...I did try a bite (sorry mr. moo cow!)---I just couldn't resist! The patty stayed together as you bit it. The beef was well seasoned and incredibly juicy. All in all, a very good burger. Just be wary of the queues and long wait time for your meal.

THE CHINESE RESTAURANT AT THE GRAND HYATT

My second dining experience here was not as good as the first a few months ago but I did not leave disappointed. The service is still great and the food is still as refined as before. I never thought lotus roots stuffed with fish meat could be elevated to a 5-star quality dish (this is normally a dish my mom just makes at home). Although delicious, the price tag is staggering. A meal for three came to $1900 not including dessert. Considering the price and the views, I would still bring special guest or visitors here but I'm not sure if it deserved the dining award of the year by TimeOut HK for Chinese food.

When Szechuan means Canton: Jumbo prawns with crab meat and coral and chili peppers next to lotus roots and peppers stuffed with fish meat.

Lamb casserole with beancurd sheets and mushrooms. Perfectly cooked lamb and barely gamey, even by my standards.

So who's on your SKUNNER list? Tell me what restaurants you wouldn't ever go back to and why!

Review of MESA 15 on Wyndham Street, Central.

I'm going to be brutally honest here, while the food was all beautifully presented, the service impeccable, and the space modern and chic for HK, the food at Mesa 15 fell devastatingly short. Three "pica" plates of tapas in, I was starting to worry that no Michelin star worthy dishes would arrive. It appears that the award winning dishes have stayed in Spain. Looks like we poor Hong Konger's will just have to physically go to Spain if we're going to experience the type of meal that critically acclaimed chef Alejandro Sanchez is known for.

Sanchez's first foray out of Spain is lacking in basic flavor. I'm no trained chef but several dishes were begging for some simple salt and pepper or a squeeze of lemon. The dishes we tried are described below:

THE LOSERS

When I see the word gazpacho, I expect a refreshing blend of full flavors of tomato, vinegar and spice. Nothing about this soup was refreshing nor robust in taste. It was an odd blend of flavors and lacked any texture. I LOVE soup and I think this may have been the worst one I've ever had in Hong Kong. Talk about epic failure!


Sanchez's signature fish and chips dish was also a disappointment. Although the batter was light and the fish was of good quality, again there was very little flavor. The dipping mayo hadZERO taste. The chips were the best part of the dish, perfectly fried and flavorful as far as potatoes go. A signature dish though should not rely on the strength of the potatoes!

Razor clams are definitely some of the ugliest bi-valves out there but man, are they tasty when done right! As a Cantonese food lover at heart, I often order these with blackbean sauce. When I saw the pesto version on the Mesa 15 menu, I was eager to try them at $39 HKD a piece. They looked fresh and the green color was vibrant and although the pesto was reasonable in flavor, the clam itself tasted a bit fishey. This was mostly due to the fact that much of the stomach gunk was left inside the clam. I know some people actually like this bit but let me reassure you, in a razor clam where the sauce is light---it's hard to mask that funky odour and taste. Another failure for an otherwise promising dish.

The pulled pork burgers looked promising as they arrived. As I bit into them, I enjoyed the soft texture of the pork and the balance of radicchio ,dressing, and bun. Again the pulled pork was bland and in need of some serious spice. Pulled pork lovers in HK, I would avoid these!

THE WINNERS:

I can't even say that duck breast over braised vegetables was that great. Compared to the other dishes though, it was a solid portion of duck with an appropriate level of seasoning. My only complaint was the lack of crunch on the skin of the duck.


Well you can't really eff up iberian ham! The ham was excellent quality, better than the stuff I've tried at City Super. But at $150HKD per 40 grams, it's no bargain!

If you're looking for a trendy spot for drinks and maybe some quick nibbles then Mesa 15 would be more than adequate. If you're looking for a tapas meal that will blow your mind, I think you're better off saving your $$$ and waiting till your next trip to Spain or keeping to the more traditional tapas offerings in the area.

Price per head with dessert and one alcoholic beverage: approximately $450

Dedicated to BEEF!

I should be overweight by now. By the sheer grace of God, I have somehow managed to maintain my weight even with the last 3 months of extreme gluttony. Even though my jeans still fit the way they should, I may have to start slowing down for fear of my metabolism giving out. Or worse, I could be putting myself at risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure with the copious amounts of beef and uni consumed lately. On that cherry note, I'd like to introduce you to some of my favorite HK haunts for beef dishes, whether it's a steak of the Japanese Wagyu variety or good ole' NY Siroloin Strip. Perhaps my fears of a lethargic metabolism will just have to wait...

(Above is the Beef Bourguignon at Pastis, Central)

POSTO PUBBLICO, Elgin Street, Soho

I have been to Posto three times in week before: I shit you not. The reason why? Their VEAL MEATBALLS. I don't even like meatballs (especially the steamed ones at dim sum) but for whatever reason, I can't seem to get enough of these giant free-formed balls of spongey yet well seasoned veal meat. The accompanying tomato sauce has the right ratio of savory and tartness and chunks of tomatoes to compliment the main event. A plate of meatballs, a glass of Montalcino, and a side of pasta makes for a perfect organic Italian meal. Price per head approximately $300.

The Grass-fed NY Sirloin at Posto is also excellent. Although much leaner than my usual steak, it's still full flavor and tender. Note of caution, I would stay away from Posto on the weekend. Their service and quality of food becomes a lot spottier when they're busy.

ALLORA, Staunton Street, Soho

Opened just a few months ago, I was skeptical of their expansive menu and lack of customers. Given it's location and decor, it seemed like it would be a winner. Casting my skepticism aside, I boldly ventured into the mostly empty restaurant after a rough Friday night. I was impressed by the grass fed beef burger option and eagerly awaited for its arrival whilst sipping my bloody mary, hoping for a hangover miracle. The burger was just what the doctor ordered. It had a perfectly toasted bun, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and a gooey egg to top it all off. The burger paddy was also done well, arriving at medium rareness, just as I had ordered it. However, the fries on the other hand were dismal. Tasting of old oil and grease and lacking any seasoning, they were practically inedible. I can't say the other food was great but overall, done well and reasonably priced. This is a good choice if you're looking for place to have a meal without a reservation or when you want to have a proper conversation with your dining companion. In addition to a brunch menu, Allora is serving up a super value prix fixe of 4 courses for $198. This set dinner even includes the option of fresh raw oysters or a steak. Needless to say, I had the steak ;-)

PARADISE OF KING ASIA SEAFOOD HOT POT (Don't you just love this nonsensical English name?), Tung Lung Street, Causeway Bay

Since I can't afford Baoduweng Hot Pot in the Food Forum, Times Sq.,all the time, this place is a wonderful alternative. It's the perfect place to go with a big crowd and get your hot pot on! They have three fatty beef options (lean, fatty, and super fatty---nom nom nom!) and plenty of seafood choices as well. Prices are very reasonable and the restaurant is clean, especially for the location. Expect to pay approximately $200 per head including beer.

PRIME, Civic Square, Elements, Kowloon Station

Another classic steakhouse in the conveniently located Civic Square brought to you by Dining Concepts (same group as Bisteca, Blue Smoke, etc.). The food here is what you'd expect from any high-end steakhouse. All the meat options are done well, especially the Chateaubriand for two and the 24 oz M-9 Wagyu steak, also big enough for 2-3 people. The macaroni and cheese was a lovely blend of three cheeses, and even with it's slightly watery creamy consistency, I would still recommend it. I would, however, take a pass on the hamachi appetizer at it tastes more cocktail sauce than fresh fish. I was pleasantly surprised with the food overall as the chef de cuisine was at Craft before, which I found sub par and an embarrassment to the Dining Concepts Chain. I'm happy to see that they've got their chefs cooking at their best now!

The massive M-9 Wagyu Steak

WAGYU EN, 11 Stanley Street, Central

Tucked away in the same building as MisoCool, I tried this restaurant when the queue at my go-to ramen place proved to be too long. The wait here was a much more manageable time of 10 minutes during peak lunch hour on a Thursday. Although the dishes here are skewed toward the Hong Kong-Chinese palate (their pastas taste Chinese, not Italian), I was still impressed by their wide selection of wagyu beef, all cooked "a punto" at medium-rare. I will definitely be coming back here for their Wagyu steaks and beef bowl which has received much praise. At $88, the wagyu steak cube with curry over rice (including salad and soup) was a great value.

Some other notable mentions include the beef carpaccio at Sushi Kuu and Wagyu Beef roll at Zuma. These dishes display beef at their finest. For those of you with a tighter budget, Wagyu and Wooloomooloo do great lunch specials (ranging from $125-168) that includes a steak option as the main course. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time for lunch though!

Beef Carpaccio Appetizer at Sushi Kuu, $140

The Shanghai Edition

Summer came and past like a whirlwind and what a mighty fun whirlwind it was! My "summer break" in Shanghai was not only fun but extremely educational from a cultural and gustatory perspective. In fact, I'm so enamored with SH, I'm starting to plot my future life there. Hong Kong will always be my first love and my wifey but I think SH is the new hot mistress!

In addition to loong but fun putonghua classes every day, I did my fair share of sight seeing and eating. The Expo was worth going to but I would definitely keep your expectations realistic---if you've ever been to Italy or Spain, the pavilion will be a mere shadow of the real thing. Needless to say, the Expo is for the locals that will never get a chance to travel to those places. For me, I couldn't imagine queuing up for hours!

Now back to the FOOD, below is a list of some of the more high-end Chinese places that are highly recommended in Shanghai. Further down, I'll highlight some of my favorite western restaurants. Sadly, the western food options were on the whole, better than Hong Kong. I liked the Chinese food in Shanghai but at the end of the day, I'm a Cantonese food lover at heart. I missed the clean flavors and of course, the fresh seafood, which is hard to come by in Shanghai.

1) Lost Heaven - Yunan cuisine located in the Bund and French Concession area http://www.lostheaven.com.cn/main.html This is also a great place to grab drinks after work or dinner as their is a DJ and a lot of beautiful people :)

The address in the French Concession area is: 38 Gaoyou Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6433 5126

2) Yé Shanghai - traditional upscale Shanghainese cuisine located in Xintiandi. They have good xialongbao, sweet and sour pork and mango pudding. Xintiandi-338 Huangpi Nan Lu. Tel: 6311 2323

3) Paul's: Another famous Shanghainese restaurant who's menu has recently expanded to include Cantonese and Sichuan fare. Some of the favorite dishes include the river prawns wok friend with broad beans (shuijing xiaren) and a fusion dish of fried dough rolls stuffed with minced seafood, topped with a thousand island dressing (youtia haixian juan). 271 Fumin Lu. Tel: 6279 2827

4) Pin Chuan: specializing in spicy Sichuan dishes, this is a casual restaurant in the French Concession area. They have the classic spicy chengdu style chicken, poached sliced beef and the customer favorite is the "old nanny fish." 47 Taojian Lu (near Wulumuqi Nan Lu). Tel. 6437 9361

5) Xiao Nan Guo: This restaurant is a SH institution. They serve up reliable Shanghainese cuisine in a stylish setting. 9th floor of Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Pudong. They also have other locations on the Puxi side so check with your hotel concierge to see which is closer.

6) Fu 1088 - they serve traditional cuisine with updated interpretations in an antique filled villa. I have not eaten here but the reviews have been great. 375 Zhenning Lu, near Yuyuan Lu, Jingan district. Tel 53239 7878

7) Xin Guang - considered the godfather of hairy crab restaurants, Xin Guang is worth checking out if you want the full, authentic Shanghainese cuisine experience. I'm not sure if the crabs are in season though so please check with concierge again. People's Sq., Building 7, Hongqiao State Guest Hotel, 1591 Hongqiao Shuicheng Lu, Changning district. Tel. 6322 3978

8) Fuxing Hui - another classic Shanghainese restaurant in the French Concession area. It's an elegant restaurant also in an old villa. Meal for two will only run about $250 RMB. I would suggest the stewed pork meatballs with crabmeat in a clear broth and the cold chicken ('boiled chiken') from Chonming island which is served with a soy, garlic, and ginger dipping sauce. 1479 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Huahai Zhong lu, Xuhui district. Tel. 6433 6955

DA MARCO's

As I entered this cheesy Italian ristorante tucked away in an equally cheesy hotel, I was almost certain that my dining experience would be lackluster. Needless to say, when my sublime homemade fettucini with eggplant, ricotta, and vine ripened tomatoes arrived, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Not only were the pastas and pizzas made in a traditional manner, the portions were large by Chinese standards. Furthermore, the prices made this a place that I would include into my weekly rotation if I lived in Shangherz. A shared starter of lightly fried calamari, a pasta, and a peroni set me back a very reasonable $110 RMB.

MAYA

I can't believe that I'm saying this but I think Maya serves up the best contemporary Mexican that I have had, to date. I'm a die-hard fan of Zarela's amongst other modern Latin eateries in NYC but I have officially raised Maya to the golden standard. From the exotic drinks to my perfectly seared truffle encrusted tuna served over a fresh corn and bean salad, my meal shared with 10 friends far exceeded my expectations. Although Maya is hidden in a residential complex on Julu lu, the interior of the restaurant was tastefully done and the service was excellent. Shanghai has truly impressed me with the quantity and breadth of dining options and Maya is a definite knock-out amongst the rest. Three courses plus one drink costs approximately $300-400 RMB per head.

I usually don't even like tuna!

Felipe's Carne Asada---increible!

Dessert platter served with churros with jam and fresh creme, molten chocolate cake and cinnamon ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, and creme brulee. Lo mejor churro he comido en mi vida!

MESA MANIFESTO

I enjoyed a beautiful Saturday brunch with my French school mate, Lumi. Mesa serves up wholesome food with flair. Some unusual touches include their champagne scrambled eggs featured below and eggs florentine with sun dried tomato hollandaise. In addition to the airy and lofty space below, Mesa boats a large rustic wood terrace upstairs equipped with misting fans. Not only is this a great place to meet for drinks after work, you won't be disappointed by the food nor the ambience. Brunch with a smoothie and coffee cost approximately $250 RMB.

NOUGATINE

I will be first to admit that it often seems that I forget that I'm a student and eat as if I still have my Wall St. job. However, in my defense, I am adept at finding fine dining values. Case in point, Jean George is now offering an affordable three course prix fixe at their flagship restaurant's lounge area, Nougatine,for $205 RMB. This is by far, is the most exquisite meal I have had at such a reasonable price. Our set meal included a diaphanous steak tartar served with potato stix reminiscent of my childhood. The unusual addition of lime juice gave it the extra Jean George-"umph". The second course was the pan seared red snapper pictured below served on top of an intense seafood consomme with a touch of cream and fava beans. The third course was a disappointment as it was simply just a cheesecake served with raspberries and nothing more. Some other notable mentions, however, include the caesar salad, which quite possibly was the best caesar salad I've ever had in my life and the black truffle pizza. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in Shanghai!

Steak Tartar

Black truffle pizza with fontina and gorgonzola cheese: pizza at its most decadent

Pan seared snapper with a broth so good, not a single drop was left

MR. AND MRS. BUND
I was totally enamored with the sexy Alice and Wonderland decor of this restaurant. Their menu is as thick as a book so be prepared to be overwhelmed with their many options. Presentation is a definite highlight at this restaurant but thankfully, this does not overshadow the food. Even the fresh baguette is delicious and served with a homemade pate on the house. The people that come here to dine are sexy, and the food can definitely get you in the mood, so bring a hot date, indulge in the filet with seared foie and then head up to Bar Rouge for some late night boogying. Price per head including wine, $600-700 RMB

12 oz. Filet with seared foie gras and a balsamic reduction

White Truffle Risotto

GOGA
This tiny little restaurant (although they do have a rooftop upstairs) serves up San Francisco fare right in the heart of Shanghai. The ingredients are all locally sourced but the flavors are truly West Coast. The food also seems to be on the healthier side with a lot of veggie and fresh seafood options. Some highlights include the cabbage salad with chicken and lobster roll. Price per head including a drink is approximately $200-250 RMB

BELLAGIO

I have one word to describe this restaurant: OBSESSED! I can't get enough of this Taiwanese chain. We were so mad about the cruller stuffed with mayonaise shrimp that we ordered it again (mind you, after we had already ordered dessert!). Absolutely all the dishes we tried here were great, including their mango drinks and dessert offerings. This a must for those that love flavorful Taiwanese at a remarkable price. Price per head including drinks and multiple desserts $100 RMB per head.

Fried cruller stuffed with shrimp in a mayonaise and pineapple sauce

Garlic and scallion chicken. This with a bowl of rice could be a complete meal

Taiwanese shaved ice with all the classic topics, or "jewels" as Jackie would say ;-)