Half-off goodness tonight (and other food news)

Where to go, where to go: Shanghaiist is still trying to figure out where to carb up for our big dodgeball game tonight (that's right, patches, dodgeball). Pure, the fancy new Japanese restaurant that is part of The Collection at Xintiandi, has been offering their new sushi menu for 50% off since last Thursday. The special ends tomorrow night, however, so if we enjoy ourselves tonight we may find ourselves there tomorrow as well.

On the other hand, Bund Brewery is having their weekly Cheap Ass Tuesdays promotion. In this case, it’s also 50% off the entire food bill, given that you’ve made dinner reservations in advance. The thought of a cold beer and warm cheesy comfort food may be enough to tear us away from sushi. Then again, since the two deals are 50% off, isn’t that enough justification to go to both tonight? See you all there.

We follow our leads: Got a tip from BizChinaUpdate editor-in-chief Gary Bowerman that the set lunches at Colabo were well worth the money. As always, Shanghaiist follows our leads (except in the cases where we don’t), and headed out there last Friday for lunch. We enjoyed a plate of fresh antipasti, a whitefish and pesto pizza, and a decent cake and coffee dessert for a total of 78 RMB. And that was the most expensive set lunch option, to boot. Switch the pizza for a pasta, skimp on the dessert, and you’re looking at a filling lunch at this lovely villa restaurant for 38 to 48 RMB. We love these lunch and brunch deals (and in Shanghai, there are plenty), and will keep digging them up and posting about them in the future. Thanks, Gary!

The Bund’s grand dame: Shanghaiist had the immense pleasure of joining M on the Bund owner Michelle Garnaut last week for her annual Christmas luncheon to welcome in the holiday menu. After two servings of suckling pig, the most tender stuffed turkey we’ve ever had in China, and plenty of hearty conversation with Ms. Garnaut and other foodies from the local press, we were titillated to hear that M is offering their dessert plate for the paltry sum of 9 RMB for the entire month of January in celebration of their 9th anniversary. This is the dessert plate that includes the scrumptious pavlova that was devoured in a heartbeat at the event. It’s good to see M on the Bund still going strong after all these years…and all that crazy Bund construction.

Overwhelmed: By now, many of you have probably come across SH Magazine’s feature on the “50 things in Shanghai you absolutely have to eat,” written by their food editor Christopher St. Cavish. It’s an intimidating list, and we are big fans of St. Cavish and only wish we had as much food intellect as even just the left part of his tongue, so all this means is that we’re going to have to make the time to go try out the 20 or so odd things that we haven’t even heard of. Any loyal readers out there giving out free gym memberships for after the holidays?

Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.