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Week Around the Ists
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We finally sauntered our way down to Xujiahui to try out Bistrow, and we definitely liked what we saw. Located where a Chatea formerly leaned against the Grand Gateway mall, Bistrow is the first of two (so far) of these upscaled Wagas offshoots. We started off light with the mixed starter plate (58 RMB), finding the hummus a little too sharp but the chickpea salsa and beetroot tzatziki to be clever and tasty teasers. The chorizo in our penne dish had a nice kick (68 RMB), but the star was the chicken tikka wrap (58 RMB), crammed with tangy mango chutney and thin slices of cucumber.
The restaurant is split right down the middle, with one section for diners and the other for the casual cake/coffee/computer set. After a quick turn around the mall we returned for some iced coffees, which at 34-40 RMB are priced at the higher end for Shanghai cafes. We took a look at the dinner menu to check on prices, with the mains priced from 85-118 RMB.
The Wagas group is part of a small handful of homegrown operations that have figured out the successful combination of atmosphere and food that have allowed them to expand locations and define their unique brands. Bistrow is an addition of which they can be proud. Next time we decide to hit up the mosh pit that is Xujiahui we'll know where to go for a nice, comfortable break.
Bistrow - 151-153A Grand Gateway Mall, No. 1 Hongqiao Lu, near Huaihai Lu (虹桥路1号151-153铺1楼, 近淮海路) Tel: 6448-2852, Hours: 7:30am-10:30pm
Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.
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I'm totally confused by how Bistrow relates to the hotel restaurant at URBN.
Is roomtwentyeight the same thing with a different name? Or is there another restaurant somewhere?
Oh and Waga's Ice Mocha is ace.
dont like room28 at all, the oz manager/owner guy is an ass and arrogant, the food was rubbery and tasteless and over priced, best thing there is the tap water
same thing, different name. there's a few small menu differences, but overall, roomtwentyeight - the restaurant at the Urbn Hotel - is almost the same.