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Since our last post, I turned 28 and that seems to have prompted more questions related to "when will you plan to have kids?". To which my mind responds - wah? I had an early birthday dinner celebration at Acorn House (London), with 10 of my close London pals and Mick Jagger. Well Mick was sitting just a few meters from our table :). The same night our friends Cheryl and Christoffer announced their engagement and pregnancy (yayee!). We found a random bar that was playing old school hip hop (I felt like I was back in college), and amazingly made it through to closing at 3am. Just enough time for me to get over my hang over and jet over to Beijing the next day. Boy is that 10 hour flight getting easier - thanks to Ambien.
Last week, Joe took me to Shanghai for 5 days (my first time). He had some meetings, but really we wanted to check out the city to see if we could potentially live there. In summary, it's 'nice' but a bit dull compared to Beijing. Being a bit more 'nice', it is more convenient because more people speak English in Shanghai. I keep joking with Joe that I'm starting to feel like a deaf/mute in Beijing. Can't really understand what people are saying and can't communicate - LOL. It's actually better when Joe and I are together. I can understand more than him, and he can speak more than me (he's been practicing).
The recommendation list is rather short, and for the first time actually includes some "stay away from" suggestions. Hope you enjoy the photos! We are heading to X'ian on Friday to see the Terracotta Soldiers live and in person, so more photos to come!
Joe & Sandy Shanghai Recommendations
** Accommodation **
- Mansion Hotel (French Concession), 82 Xinle Rd, (86-21) 5403-9888. A gorgeous boutique hotel for the same price as a room at Le Meridian.
** Food **
- Yang's Fried Dumplings, Wujiang Rd. Found this place in our TimeOut guide. 2 stalls clearly marked Yang's Fried Dumplings serves up a cousin of xiao lóng bāo, with thicker skin, fried bottom, and same soupy yumminess inside.
- Coffee Bean, Xin Tian Di. You all know this one, but it's hard to find outside of LA!
** Stay Away From **
- T8, Xin Tian Di. The place looks really classy and flaunts an open kitchen, but the food is bland and the drinks taste like water.
- Whampoa Club, 3 on the Bund. Fancy Chinese restaurant with a fancy address and nice view. But the place was filled with foreigners, and the 1 dish I liked made me feel ill after because it was too rich (their version of slow cooked pork).
Last week, Joe took me to Shanghai for 5 days (my first time). He had some meetings, but really we wanted to check out the city to see if we could potentially live there. In summary, it's 'nice' but a bit dull compared to Beijing. Being a bit more 'nice', it is more convenient because more people speak English in Shanghai. I keep joking with Joe that I'm starting to feel like a deaf/mute in Beijing. Can't really understand what people are saying and can't communicate - LOL. It's actually better when Joe and I are together. I can understand more than him, and he can speak more than me (he's been practicing).
The recommendation list is rather short, and for the first time actually includes some "stay away from" suggestions. Hope you enjoy the photos! We are heading to X'ian on Friday to see the Terracotta Soldiers live and in person, so more photos to come!
Joe & Sandy Shanghai Recommendations
** Accommodation **
- Mansion Hotel (French Concession), 82 Xinle Rd, (86-21) 5403-9888. A gorgeous boutique hotel for the same price as a room at Le Meridian.
** Food **
- Yang's Fried Dumplings, Wujiang Rd. Found this place in our TimeOut guide. 2 stalls clearly marked Yang's Fried Dumplings serves up a cousin of xiao lóng bāo, with thicker skin, fried bottom, and same soupy yumminess inside.
- Coffee Bean, Xin Tian Di. You all know this one, but it's hard to find outside of LA!
** Stay Away From **
- T8, Xin Tian Di. The place looks really classy and flaunts an open kitchen, but the food is bland and the drinks taste like water.
- Whampoa Club, 3 on the Bund. Fancy Chinese restaurant with a fancy address and nice view. But the place was filled with foreigners, and the 1 dish I liked made me feel ill after because it was too rich (their version of slow cooked pork).
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2 comments:
seems like the coffee bean is in LA, and then all over asia! it's one of the major coffee chains here in singapore too. i really like the coffee bean, but i've been drinking more of the local "kopi" which uses condensed milk and i love that. :)
Xiaojie ,
My 2cts on Shanghai ....
Madame Zung :for bar and clubbing I think you might find better in Chinese places , this is very much for expats .
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/PrintArticle1103546.phtml
M on the bund : Great for brunch (reservations needed) and great views on the Huangpu and the PUdong area (provided the terrible fog+ pollution is not too thick)
http://www.m-onthebund.com/on_the_bund
Hayat hotel in Pudong (in the jinmao tower ) : worth going to the top for the view and visit the Hyatt lobby from below the top level
http://www.bsu.edu/World2000/research/londt/jinmao/
Very good Taiwanese restaurant :
Charmant
1418 Central Huaihai Road Xuhui
Tel: 6431-8107
Review from Web:
This lovely restaurant along Huaihai Road offers the opportunity to watch Shanghai go by as you sample the delights of Taiwanese-influenced dishes. The service is particularly good, with efficient yet unobtrusive staff. Dishes arrive at a suitable pace and the desserts actually arrive at the end of the meal–this may not impress you, but it's sadly all too rare in Shanghai! Prices are reasonable too–it's possible to have a good meal for two for under RMB 100. Open from lunch till about 4am, it's a great place to go for a good meal anytime.
VISITS :
YUYUAN GARDEN : 400 years old Chinese garden : very nice !
OLD FRENCH CONCESSION
Am not being biased, it is very nice and unexpected in a Chinese city , very nice architecture, roads with trees along them and a sense of quietness very rare in Shanghai ! Between Huai hai zhong lu and huashan lu more or less ...you will see it on map
http://english.ctrip.com/Destinations/DistrictSightGroup.asp?SightGroup=4
While in area : great old house in Park with nice bar : http://www.thisisthelife.com/en/worlds-best-bars/face-bar.htm
Also a fantastic example of old Chinese hose restaured beautifully with modern features : the Yongfoo Elite : very exclusife restaurant and bar .....I went in the afternoon just to "look around" we told them ....and they let us and it's beautiful http://www.wallpaper.com/travel/476
SHOPPING
Markets
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/shanghai/0717023891.html
Fuyou market (see link above) if you keep walking down the street towards the river and get yourself "lost " in some old streets to the right (more or less) this is real China ! fruits and veggies , dumplings, hairdressers ,,all that in the street , older people, younger ones....all there ....I was the only westerner there and loved it !
Dongtai Lu fake antique shopping on : bargain bargain bargain (jiangjia)!!!! ....I love that street and all the much less commercial streets in the back
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