A Tong Mu Hot Pot
Address: B1, 158 Huaihai Rd M, near Pu'an Rd
Tel: 021-6387-4777, 6387-8777
789 (People's Square store)
Address: 4/F, Gaosheng Bldg, 180 Xizang Rd M.
Tel: 021-6350-8183, 6350-8182
Huang Cheng Gen (Xujiahui)
Address: Bldg 1, 297 Wanping Rd, near Zaojiabang Rd
Tel: 021-6415-1329
Wu Ji Spicy Hot Pot (Tianyaoqiao Road store)
Address: 212 Tianyaoqiao Rd
Tel: 021-6427-1232
Kyoto Shabu-shabu (People's Square)
Address: 6/F, Raffles City, 268 Xizang Rd M,
Tel: 021-6340-4086
Madam Rose Coffee and Tea Salon
There is a place in Shanghai where you can sip tea and -- should you wish -- indulge the secret fantasy of being royalty.
Madam Rose Coffee and Tea Salon, originally founded in Taiwan, is elaborately outfitted in Victorian style with ornate furniture and wall fixtures. All the porcelain used is specially imported mainly from major brands, Rosenthal from Germany and Bernardaud from France.
The salon serves a mixture of French and other Western food, and a variety of set meals are available throughout the day. They currently range in cost from 88 yuan (US$12.57) to 128 yuan and include house drinks, appetizer, bread, soup, salad, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. A simpler lunch set for the working crowd costs 28 yuan.
But the Madam Rose specialty is French afternoon tea, available all day long. There is a 78-yuan single set featuring tea or coffee served with fruits, cakes and cookies on a three-tiered platter. A double set costs 150 yuan.
"It is served just the way French people like to eat their food, from bland to tasty," says manager Richard Zheng.
Teas served come from France as well as milk tea and fruit tea from Taiwan. The imported tea leaves from France are for sale as is some of the imported porcelain on display.
There are cozy private rooms available for booking at Madam Rose ranging in size to accommodate from eight to 30 people. There is no booking fee involved, and the rooms are usually fully booked during popular seasons such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
"People like to bask in the romantic atmosphere of Madam Rose during these festivals," Zheng says.
Address: 641 Changning Road
Tel: 021-5239-8875
Xintiandi Ark Live House
Ark at Xintiandi is currently offering customers the chance to dine with fans of famous Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel.
In the lead-up to L'Arc-en-Ciel's concert in Shanghai on April 19 at Pudong's Yuanshen Stadium, Ark has come up with a "L'Arcafe" concept. L'Arc-en-Ciel's past albums and pictures are on display in Ark as well as some costumes worn by band members in past performances.
L'Arcafe is an event by itself and will occur three times from April 18 to 20 between 11am and 2pm. Tickets to L'Arcafe cost 100 yuan each which entitles customers to entry, a drink and a set meal.
There are four different set meals from which to choose, mainly Western food, and they are named in honor of the different members of L'Arc-en-Ciel. The choice of food in each set meal reflects what each band member likes to eat.
"Some people who return to L'Arcafe more than once will probably order different set meals to try the different kinds of food. But there are some who are fans of a particular band member who will order that specific set meal each time they come," says manager Sun Yuqiang.
While the food is served at L'Arcafe, music videos and exclusive behind-the-scene clips of L'Arc-en-Ciel will be shown. With a maximum 200 customers being allowed into L'Arcafe each time, those who plan to visit should book in advance.
"L'Arcafe has been quite well received with an average of 90 people each time, the past three times it has been held," Sun says.
Address: House 15, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, North Block Xintiandi.
Tel: 6326 8008
Opening hours: 5.30pm-1am
La Aroma de Vida
Home is where the heart is and this restaurant tries very hard to capture your heart with the feeling of home.
Meaning "scent of life" in Spanish, La Aroma de Vida is centered entirely around the concept of a cozy house with home-cooked dishes.
The owner of La Aroma de Vida, Rachel Huo, started collecting furniture, light fittings and a multitude of knick-knacks, as a passion 10 years ago. She is now a professional interior designer and consultant and all the items in La Aroma de Vida are part of her personal collection. Interestingly, all items are also for sale.
La Aroma de Vida serves mainly Chinese food with a selection of other Western choices including sandwiches and desserts. It has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages including beer and cocktails.
Also on the menu is an unusual entry titled "Make your favorite fried rice," whereby you get to choose the ingredients you want in your meal. These dishes start from 20 yuan or 40 yuan depending on the size of the portion and the ingredients.
Besides having new dishes introduced to the menu every month, there is also a special 28 yuan lunch set which includes soup, a cold dish, two main dishes and rice or congee. The eatery is most crowded at lunch when the work crowd flocks in.
Address: 45-47 Anfu Road, near Changshu Road
Tel: 021-5403-5266
Opening hours: 9am-11:30pm
