The Shanghai Scoop is a column dedicated to the latest food and drink news happening in Shanghai.
Coming Soon
Opening in April is Canopia, a fully immersive restaurant that aims to transport diners directly into the rainforests of Yunnan. It’s created by Wengwa Rainforest Discovery, who have spent the past six years searching for lesser known and forgotten ingredients found within the Yunnan rainforest.
Canopia is the city version of their rainforest dining experience, Dae Lae, located in the Jingmai Mountain rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Yunnan. It will be located within a villa at the Yangyun Village in Shanghai. The concept is highly immersive and aims to create an unforgettable sensory experience.
Believe it or not, they will be growing a rainforest INSIDE the villa for Canopia, led by a botanist and a team of top-notch designers. The journey takes diners through a museum-like walk-through, guiding them through laboratories, viewing rooms, exhibition spaces, and finally to the dining room, which is situated in the middle of a recreated tropical rainforest complete with a waterfall.
The cuisine aims to be “borderless” fine dining with a strong emphasis on ingredient provenance, utilizing ingredients from their own edible forest farm garden in the Jingmai Mountain region. Canopia will be a table for 12, set menu.
Tom Ryu, formerly of Jeju Izakaya, has branched out to form his own F&B group, P.I.E. He’ll be opening two new restaurants, located at the freshly minted WYSH complex on Wuyi Lu. The two restaurants share the same building; upstairs will be NABI, a modern Korean dining experience, serving a creative set menu for ¥1088 plus 10% service charge, due to open end January/February.
Downstairs will be WULI for classic, easy-going Korean food, which will open shortly after Chinese New Year.
Also in WYSH is Lawry’s The Prime Rib, which is now officially open, serving lunch and dinner. Brunch to follow soon.
BoboLee is expanding to Jinqiao’s EKA Tianmu with BoboLee Thai & Cake. Also opening at EKA is Beef & Liberty.
Now Open – New Restaurants
Newly opened Babar is quite the talk of the town. Opened just a few weeks ago, this hot new spot on Donghu Lu is backed by Guillaume Tu (Spread, now closed) and Simon Briens (partner at RAC and Blaz). Bar/bistro vibes with creative small plates and house-made ice creams. A quick glance at the menu shows that food is a melting pot of influences, ranging from French to Southeast Asian.
Jinxian Lu is popping! In addition to new cocktail bar Pony Up (mentioned in the last Scoop) and super popular Ningbo eatery San Bai Bei, the street welcomes another newcomer, Chaozhou restaurant Chiuchow Darling (潮州打冷海鲜饭店).
The restaurant is a partnership between Vos Families (Suzie, Suzie’s Garden, ma-ia-ki, etc.) and the founding restaurant brand’s counterpart. The brand has locations in Shantou, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Menu is seafood oriented with steamed fish and soups as signatures.
Opened last December in Shanghai Centre is NAMU, a modern Korean restaurant led by Dean, Shin, and Jass, also formerly of Jeju Izakaya. Fun, casual vibes with a set menu of contemporary Korean dishes; ¥588 for 9 courses.
AnThai has opened a second, larger location at 594 Fuxing Zhong Lu, anThai Bistro & Bar.
Two New Luxury Hotels
Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai opened September last year, located near Qiantan Taikoo Li. A big draw of the hotel is its rooftop heated infinity swimming pool.
As for food and drink outlets, Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai has three: Le Chloé French Brasserie for classic French cuisine and adjacent Le Salon Chloé for cocktails and drinks with outdoor garden lounge access, as well as Upper Deck, a speakeasy bar. The hotel has 143 rooms.
The Regent Shanghai on the Bund soft opened on December 28. It’s located in the building formerly housing the historical Shanghai International Seaman’s Club and Seagull Hotel, across from the Waibaidu Bridge (Garden Bridge).
There are three dining outlets: Chinese restaurant Jin Lin, western restaurant Harmonia, and Conde Boutique, a pastry shop and tearoom with adjoining garden terrace.
The hotel boasts 135 guestrooms, a 600-seater ballroom, and a 25-meter indoor swimming pool. This is the second Regent hotel in Shanghai.
News From Around Town
Tiffin’s been expanding. Currently with five locations to cater for delivery in Xuhui, Jinqiao, Changning, Lujiazui, and Jing’an.
Egg has opened up evenings to shift into a Chinese wine bar, pouring wines sourced from China paired with a rotating snack menu by guest chefs.
Since being acquired by TH International Limited (Tim Hortons China), Popeyes seems to be on a roll, and has just opened its 10th store in Shanghai.
Closures
Cocktail bar COA is closing, last day of operation is February 4. They’ll be reopening at a new location, due in March/April. Gin & Juice is also closing, last day of operations is January 22.
Shake tried to make it work with new partners last year, but alas, things didn’t pan out for the “house of funk”. Last day was Dec 31. Vegetarian restaurant Duli on Donghu Lu also closed on Dec 31, looking to relocate. Meanwhile Duli is still available via delivery on Eleme.
Other venues that closed: Bar Centrale, ChacoB, Amalia Spanish Restaurant (looking to reopen), Shaking Crab, Le Daily, and Sideways by CTT.
