Celebrity Life

The brand's new flagship in Hong Kong Plaza also brings mainland China's first Tiffany Blue Box cafe and an unforgettable dining experience

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Beijing might be the capital of China, but no one can deny the magnificence of Shanghai. Its long and enduring stature as one of the world’s busiest financial hubs has made Shanghai one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia.

With that comes a slew of leisurely activities, especially fine dining. A wave of global influences and a strong Chinese identity has culminated in an exciting variety of restaurants that have access to fresh ingredients and an affluent crowd ready to lap it up.

[caption id="attachment_174510" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Edward He/Unsplash)[/caption]

Here, local cuisine is given the same limelight as international fare, and there’s plenty to choose from for businessmen and tourists alike. Renowned chefs all over the world have parked their new restaurants here. If that’s not recognition enough, both the Michelin Guide and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list have repeatedly given their nods of approval at the impressive standards it has managed to set. Here are the top-notch dining establishments worth visiting in Shanghai.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

[caption id="attachment_174550" align="alignnone" width="1080"] (Photo: Joël Robuchon Shanghai)[/caption]

The late Joël Robuchon’s culinary spirit lives on in his restaurant at the ultra-elegant Bund 18 estate. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon is stylised as a ‘workshop’ for chefs, inspired by Spain’s casual tapas bars. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant has an open kitchen concept where diners can see executive chef Francky Semblat and his culinary team whip up exquisite French dishes from the degustation menus. If you’re up for a more laidback experience, consider having afternoon tea at the Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon on the first floor. It doubles up as a pastry shop, where diners can take home delicate cakes and Robuchon’s famous bread baskets.

[caption id="attachment_174547" align="alignnone" width="1480"] (Photo: Joël Robuchon Shanghai)[/caption]

Lunch

Saturday and Sunday: 11.30am to 2pm

Dinner

Sunday to Wednesday: 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Thursday to Saturday: 5:30pm to 11pm

Address: 3F, 18 Zhongshan Dong YiRoad, Bund18, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here 

Hakkasan

[caption id="attachment_174551" align="alignnone" width="1680"] (Photo: Hakkasan)[/caption]

Award-winning modern Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan offers a classy spot to savour some of   China’s notable cuisines. The Peking duck from the a la carte menu is a must-have. The crispy skin is served first, wrapped in pancakes, cucumber and an indulgent dollop of caviar. The rest of the flavourful duck is then stir-fried and served with potato crisps. Dim sum and live seafood dishes here are highly recommended too. If you’re there over the weekend, look out for the weekend brunch menu, which features the restaurant highlights and creative cocktails.

[caption id="attachment_174552" align="alignnone" width="2048"] (Photo: Hakkasan)[/caption]

Dim Sum Brunch

Friday to Sunday: 11am to 2.30pm

Afternoon Tea

Friday to Sunday: 2.30pm to 5pm

Dinner

Friday to Saturday: 5.30pm to 1am
Sunday: 5.30pm to 11.30pm

Address: 5F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Bund18, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here 

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet

[caption id="attachment_174554" align="alignnone" width="1440"] (Photo: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet)[/caption]

Ultraviolet is truly an unusual restaurant. Instead of grand furnishings and high-rise views, the three-Michelin-starred pop-up establishment opts for high-resolution projectors, speakers and wind turbines -- all to create an immersive, multi-sensory dining experience. Each night, Ultraviolet attends to only 10 diners with a lengthy degustation featuring 20 courses  that unfold in theatrical and witty dishes. This is only after you’ve managed to score a seat after spending months on the waiting list and finding out where the restaurant is relocating to next. These unique yet delicious experiences here have cemented the restaurant’s top position on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list year after year. 



[caption id="attachment_174549" align="alignnone" width="1000"] (Photo: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet)[/caption]

The address to Ultraviolet is kept secret. Diners who manage to reserve their seats will be given directions to the assembly point before being chauffeured to the location.

Website: Click here 

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana

[caption id="attachment_174555" align="alignnone" width="2048"] (Photo: 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana)[/caption]

This legendary Hong Kong restaurant has brought over its Michelin star-winning formula of excellent Northern Italian fare to the shores of Shanghai. While the restaurants share the same name, this beautiful spot is different in that it offers diners insight to chef Umberto Bombana’s passion for great ingredients. The restaurant opens with a magnificent display of dry-aged meats and artisanal cheeses, and offers a menu that highlights the best of Italy’s seasonal ingredients.

[caption id="attachment_174556" align="alignnone" width="1280"] (Photo: 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana)[/caption]

Dinner

Open daily: 6pm to 11pm

Address: 6F, Associate Mission Building, 169 Yuanmingyuan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China 

Website:  Click here 
Wujie – The Bund

[caption id="attachment_174557" align="alignnone" width="1080"] (Photo: Wujie)[/caption]

This one-Michelin-starred restaurant should serve as sufficient proof that vegetarian dining has a respectable place in the world of gastronomy. Wujie preaches its message of wellness and balance from its interior design to food. Behind the zen-like atmosphere, Wujie’s kitchens are furiously whipping up innovative dishes which see inspirations from all over the world, all while upholding traditional Chinese philosophies. Expect stunning dishes such as the house-made tofu with porcini mushrooms or braised ‘patty’ of black truffle and lion’s mane.

[caption id="attachment_174558" align="alignnone" width="804"] (Photo: Wujie)[/caption]

Lunch

Open daily: 11am to 2pm
Afternoon tea

Open daily: 2pm to 5pm
Dinner

Open daily: 5pm to 10pm

Address: 4F, 22 Zhongshan Dong ErRoad, Bund 22, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Facebook: Click here 

Wei Jing Ge

[caption id="attachment_174559" align="alignnone" width="550"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

Shanghai’s streets are filled with hawkers serving up authentic eats (think handmade xiao long baos and stir-fried crayfish).  For an artful take on this cuisine, head over to Wei Jing Ge at the Waldorf Astoria. The contemporary Chinese restaurant’s menu casts a spotlight on regional dishes — think Cantonese, Shanghainese, Sichuan and Huai Yang. Some of the must-tries on the menu include the steamed garoupa and wok-fried scallops while the dim sum brunch is an equally worthy option. With a well-curated selection of Chinese liquor and spirits, its wine list is also one worth perusing during your meal there.

[caption id="attachment_174561" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

Lunch:

Open daily: 11.30pm to 2.30pm
Dinner:

Open daily: 5.30pm to 10.30pm

Address: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, 2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here

Singapore Airlines flies four times a week to Shanghai.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore

The post Why Shanghai is the fine dining capital of China appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

There’s always a palpable energy in the air when you’re in Shanghai. As China’s most cosmopolitan city with a population of almost 25 million people, Shanghai is a melting pot of entrepreneurs, go-getters, and growing businesses. By day, it’s hard not to get swept away by the bustle, and by dusk, the skyscrapers light up the entire city, with the glowing Pearl Tower and the Bund’s majestic waterfront promenade being standout sights.

Yet amidst this modernity are plenty of 1920s-era examples of art deco buildings that still coexist with Buddhist temples and ancient gardens. Living options vary from high-rise luxury to charming lilong (lane houses) neighbourhoods — a hint of the city’s penchant for marrying the old and the new. 

This merger between past and present also surfaces in Shanghai’s main districts. You can’t claim to have visited the city without a trip to its Former French Concession, a soulful district where European-styled villas and early 20th-century buildings still stand as a reminder of China’s diverse past.

Here’s how to make the best of your time in this cosmopolitan city.

WHERE TO STAY

The Peninsula Shanghai


There are plenty of ways to experience Shanghai’s unique fusion of the old and new, the East and West. The Peninsula Shanghai is perhaps one of the best embodiments. The contemporary yet chic hotel is located on the historic riverfront bund, which combines traditional Shanghai aesthetics with Art Deco-Inspired interiors.

[caption id="attachment_174512" align="alignnone" width="905"] (Photo: The Peninsula Shanghai)[/caption]

Refined luxury is the key here, so expect to take in views of the famous Bund and Huangpu from the comfort of a stylishly subdued room. Gourmands will also be pleased to learn that the hotel’s restaurant is the two-Michelin-starred Yi Long Court, which is widely regarded to be one of the best Cantonese options in the city.

Address: 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Bund 32, Hangpu District, Shanghai, China

Amanyangyun

Amanyangyun sits on the other end of this spectrum. It’s perfect if you’re looking to escape the bustle and indulge in authentic traditional Chinese culture. The grandiose sight sits just outside the city as an imperial restoration project by the famed Aman group. Thirteen Ming and Qing dynasty villas were brought back to life for the 21st-century here.

[caption id="attachment_174513" align="alignnone" width="1482"] (Photo: Amanyangun)[/caption]

The regal atmosphere continues within, where late Australian architect Kerry Hill applied his signature mod-minimal aesthetics to the antique villas. The result is a rare glimpse of China’s yesteryears married with the comforts of today.

Address: 6161 Yuanjiang Road, Minhang District, Shanghai China

Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland


The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is truly a sight to behold. Designed by JADE_QA Architects, the resort was transformed from an abandoned quarry into a luxurious fantasy world away from Shanghai’s bustle. Of the 18 floors, 16 are underground and two are underwater. The latter sees rooms which have their own saltwater aquariums.

[caption id="attachment_174635" align="alignnone" width="2880"] (Photo: Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland)[/caption]

The activities make full use of the hotel’s unique location. Guests can choose to either scale the 88-metre cliff face, zipline across to the theme park next door, or kayak around the quarry. The nightly water show has also been said to be more impressive than the Bellagio’s in Las Vegas.

Address: 5888 Chen Hua Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Shanghai has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s biggest gastronomic powerhouses, so there’s no lack of amazing eats around the city.

L’Atelier Joël Robuchon Shanghai


[caption id="attachment_174514" align="alignnone" width="1280"] (Photo: Joël Robuchon Shanghai)[/caption]

L’Atelier Joël Robuchon Shanghai is one of the city’s most luxurious dining experiences and it occupies a prime spot on the Bund. Its namesake legendary chef and restaurateur, Joël Robuchon, extends his legacy to this sophisticated spot with a French menu bursting with finesse. Be prepared to indulge in fresh seafood, foie gras, and caviar within the intimate boudoir-esque restaurant.

Opening hours: Lunch — Saturday and Sunday: 11:30am to 2pm; Dinner — Sunday to Wednesday: 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Thursday to Saturday: 5:30pm to 11pm

Address: 3F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Bund18, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China


Wei Jing Ge


Wei Jing Ge at the Waldorf Astoria is one of the best representations of Chinese cuisine. Helmed by Sam Yuen — the former chef for Zhu Rongji and Bill Clinton — the restaurant now serves regional delicacies from Shanghai and Sichuan, as well as Cantonese cuisine. An in-house sommelier is always on hand; there is, after all, a well-curated list of over 500 exquisite wines in the restaurant.

[caption id="attachment_174516" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_174636" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

Opening hours: Daily — Lunch: 1130pm- 2:30pm; Dinner: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Address: 2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China


Sober Company

Nightlife is a big part of Shanghai’s identity, and it’s here where you’ll find a legion of bars that will cater to everyone.

[caption id="attachment_174517" align="alignnone" width="960"] (Photo: The Sober Company)[/caption]

Sober Company sits on Yandang Road with the promise of a trio of experiences. The slick bar — helmed by bartending whizz Shingo Gokan — stands out amongst its sister cafe and restaurant for its sublime cocktails. If you’re lucky, you’ll be invited into its speakeasy, Tipsy, to embody the bar’s very motto: “Come Sober, leave Tipsy.”

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 10am to 2am, Friday to Saturday: 10am to 3am

Address: 99 Yandang Road (near Nanchang Road) Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Liquid Laundry 


Located in the French Concession, the all-encompassing spot is best described as a gastropub and microbrewery that morphs into a club when night falls. It’s easy to document your night at this neon-lit, industrial-chic joint; this cavernous space not only has several brewing tanks for its in-house booze, but also a handsome copper wood-fired pizza oven that’s known to churn out some of the best pizzas in the neighbourhood.

[caption id="attachment_174518" align="alignnone" width="960"] (Photo: Liquid Laundry)[/caption]

Opening hours: Daily lunch:11am to 2:30pm; Dinner — Wednesday to Saturday: 5pm to 2am, Sunday to Tuesday: 5pm to 12am

Address: 2F, Kwah Centre, 1028 Huaihai Zhong Road (near Donghu Road) Xuhui District, Shanghai, China



WHAT TO DO


French Concession
The French Concession is always worth a visit for being a historic goldmine of Shanghai’s gilded past. Here, the former French territory sees twisting alleyways that lead to sycamore-lined boulevards and plenty of European-influenced architecture. Nicknamed the ‘Paris of the East’, the neighbourhood sees quaint shops and boutiques housed within beautiful Tudor-style houses.

[caption id="attachment_174519" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Photo: Alamy)[/caption]

One of the area’s highlights is Wukang Road, which offers a generous number of outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants to experience the French Concession at its best. If you’re still hungry, head over to Anfu and Julu Road for an authentic taste of Shanghai’s iconic xiaolongbaos (soup dumplings). The two streets are known for housing plenty of acclaimed local eateries. Tianzifang is a fantastic spot for a stroll — it’s now regarded as an arts and crafts shopping mecca for tourists eager to bring a piece of authentic Chinese culture back home with them.

 Shanghai Disneyland


[caption id="attachment_174522" align="alignnone" width="1024"] (Photo: Disneyland Shanghai)[/caption]

An itinerary guide to Shanghai wouldn’t be complete without Shanghai Disneyland. Home to the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest Disney castle of all Disney parks, the expansive theme park offers six themed lands and plenty of magic. The park is conveniently located at the end of Metro line 11.

Address: Pudong New District, Shanghai, China 


The Bund


[caption id="attachment_174524" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Yiran Ding/Unsplash)[/caption]

Shanghai might be a glistening metropolis in the day, but it’s at night when it truly shines. Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, the famous colonial-era riverfront promenade flourishes into life when the sun sets. The colonial buildings here house bars and restaurants where you can catch a drink at as you watch the technicolour light display on the other side of the river.

Address: Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

 Zhujiajiao Water Town

Bolstered by a history of over 1,700 years, ‘Shanghai’s Venice’ — as it’s affectionately nicknamed — is a well-preserved part of the city that used to be a trading area — thanks to its many canals which ferried goods in barges and boats. Like its Italian counterpart, the ancient town in the Qingpu District is distinctive for the traditional residences that line this once-important canal. More than 30 ancient bridges built during the Ming and Qing dynasties still stand today. The Fangsheng Bridge remains the most popular of all amongst visitors as it is the largest stone bridge arch in Shanghai.

[caption id="attachment_174526" align="alignnone" width="1800"] (Photo: China Travel)[/caption]

A gondola cruise is by far one of the best ways to see Zhujiajiao at its finest. However, a stroll through one of the narrow ancient streets is also a great way to experience local culture and cuisine.

Address: Qingpu District, Shanghai, China

Singapore Airlines flies four times a week to Shanghai.

This story first appeared in Lifestyle Asia Singapore.

The post Check out: Your itinerary to Shanghai appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Sure to titillate the senses of even the most conservative of Roger Dubuis aficionados, the journey continues through the Roger Dubuis Blacklight trilogy with a new bejewelled "Rainbow" edition of the latest collection

The post Bejewelled Roger Dubuis Blacklight “Rainbow” edition Unveiled in Shanghai appeared first on LUXUO.

If the seven wonders of the world ever added an eighth, it would the Eight Tenths Garden of Shanghai.

The post The Eight Tenths Garden is a city representing Shanghai’s rich yet restrained nature appeared first on LUXUO.

Vision & Virtuosity by Tiffany & Co:
An exhibition not to be missed
by Yaren Arbak

This year, from late Fall to the end of mid-November, Shanghai will be hosting worldwide known brand Tiffany & Co. presenting a remarkable exhibition, celebrating its’ 180 years anniversary in the Fosun Foundation. Iconic Tiffany Blue highlights on the entrance ushers its’ visitors.

Continue reading Vision & Virtuosity by Tiffany & Co: An exhibition not to be missed at Luxxu Blog.

Tiffany & Co.'s Vision & Virtuosity jewellery exhibition in Shanghai is the Best way to connect with next generation of Chinese consumers

The post Tiffany & Co Vision & Virtuosity exhibition offers Breakfast at Tiffany’s in Shanghai appeared first on LUXUO.

Shanghai has become a hotbed of fashion talent in recent years. The gleaming facades of luxury stores in JingAn, Xintiandi and the former French Concession are just one indication of Chinese buying power and how important the market is for the biggest global fashion brands.

Yet independent labels have also flourished here, pushing the agenda for Shanghai as an Asia fashion capital and China’s most fashionable city. And trendy boutiques, restaurants and bars are sprouting at an almost alarming pace in the city, feeding its residents’ insatiable desire for newness and ever fresher blends of East-meets-West.

Contemporary fashion designer and Shanghai native Helen Lee helms her own eponymous label as well as being creative director of ski-and-sportswear brand Perfect Moment. After many years hanging out mostly in parts of the former French Concession, where her fashion-label atelier was once based, she now has a new neighbourhood on the radar: Suzhou Creek’s Southside area, which is currently undergoing an urban regeneration with a luxury and fashion focus.

[caption id="attachment_136897" align="alignnone" width="732"] Designer Helen Lee[/caption]

Shop

In between designing, meeting clients or managing her stores, Lee has little time for shopping. So where would a fashion designer go in Shanghai? “I don’t buy that much fashion in Shanghai, but I do love browsing. There are few new shops to check out – one of my favourites is called LMDS (1 Taojiang Lu), which is really quite a chic and fashionable boutique.

“I also just opened my Helen Lee South Creekside store (203, 955 South Suzhou Road). The space is big and airy, and I now spend a lot time there. The 5,900-square-foot space is more like a private shop/ showroom -- I wanted to have this kind of space so I can hang out with buyers and clients. I wanted to make it quite special and easy for people to look at the clothes and get to know the brand better.”

It’s in an area that’s been newly developed by the Balian Group, with the aim of creating a new fashion centre within the city. “I can show my designs to the buyers and consumers in a really comfortable environment where I can connect better with buyers and clients,” Lee says. “It’s like a refurbished warehouse space that’s designed in a really simple, charming and light way.

“There are meeting rooms, store space, changing rooms, a photo shoot room and even a little bar, so people can just hang out. I want toshow off the creativity we’re trying to present here and it gives us the flexibility to do events for VIPs, or mini fashion shows or even cool reception parties for the arts and design crowd.”

[caption id="attachment_136899" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lee's Creekside store[/caption]

Hang

“I like to hang out around Anfu Lu and Fumin Road, my local neighbourhood,” says Lee. The heart of the former French Concession, it’s home to many international-style boutiques, restaurants and concept bars. It’s also a haven for expats living in the city, where most venues willhave English menus and English-speaking staff.

“I also like hanging out around the Bund, usually just because I really like to look at the Huangpu River,” she says -- and despite growing up in Shanghai, she’s not averse to frequenting some of the city’s luxury hotels. “I really like the Hyatt -- there are a couple of nice venues there -- or we’ll go to the Shangri-La for brunch or afternoon tea. On certain occasions, I’ll head to the Peace Hotel to have very old-style Shanghai cuisine for brunch. I love relaxing while looking at that waterfront view.”

[caption id="attachment_136902" align="alignnone" width="1024"] LMDS boutique[/caption]

Eat & Drink

They say fashion people hardly eat, but Lee and her husband regularly tour Shanghai’s vibrant restaurant scene. Last time we met, we were laughing over smokey whiskey cocktails at a new contemporary Chinese restaurant called Daojianghu (3/F, 50 Tai’An Lu).

Recently, though, she has another obsession: “My favourite place to eat is this tiny Japanese restaurant called Tianji (570 Yongjia Lu). It only has eight seats, so it’s really intimate. There’s really good tempura and they use handmade vintage ceramics and glass tableware that the chef collected and brought back from Japan.

“It’s a really artistic and beautiful place. You watch the chef cook everything in front of you, and he introduces all of the fresh food and ingredients, as well as different ways of eating it with different sauces. Let’s not forget the vast and quite special collection of sake they have, either.

“If we’re talking about bars,” she adds, “I like cocktails, so I often go to the Japanese-style speakeasy called Speak Low (579 Fuxing Zhong Lu). I’ll usually try at least three or four different cocktails in a night ... and they have four floors. The Margarita and Flurtibird cocktails are really great, but at the end of the day my favourite drinks are usually champagne, dirty martinis and gin and tonic."

The post Fashion Designer Helen Lee Shares Her Favourite Shanghai Spots appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Pascale Monté-Papée's black and white photographs offer a nostalgic glimpse into a time bygone, before today's towering sky-scrapers and bustling traffic in Shanghai.

The post Nostalgic Shanghai; ‘Through The Lens’ In Black And White Photographs appeared first on LUXUO.

The beloved homegrown cafe famed for its truffle shoestring fries has opened its first overseas outpost in Shanghai, China.

The post Take a look Inside PS. Cafe’s latest restaurant appeared first on The Peak Magazine.