Results tagged “crystaljade”

The That's Shanghai Food & Drink Award winners were released over the weekend, for all you foodies that are curious about what Shanghai likes. And what Shanghai likes, for the most part, is established chains - whether or not they are actually the "best" in their categories. Hey, don't get huffy with us. The guys at That's Shanghai thought the same thing.

The New York Times has published a new travel piece to our little town titled “36 Hours in Shanghai.” While we'd normally roll our eyes and scoff at these kind of articles and their incredibly milquetoast recommendations (Oh really? We should try the Jean Georges? Thanks! Taste of China indeed!), we think this guide would actually represent a fun day-and-a-half out for Shanghai newbies. We'd probably skip Crystal Jade and 100 Century Avenue (unless you like expensive, mediocre food in uncomfortable chairs), but we applaud the inclusion of Lost Heaven and Yang's. Next time our friends come into town, it's nice to know we have something to forward to them if we're too lazy to come up with a travel plan ourselves.

It wasn't that long ago that Shanghaiist headed straight to Crystal Jade in Xintiandi for our regular weekend dim sum brunch. Since then, however, our new loyalties lie with two restaurants closer to headquarters. Our first impressions of Lynn back when it opened early last year was that customers were paying the bulk of the price premium for its sleek, modern decor and presentation rather than the quality of its traditional Shanghainese fare. However, dim sum lovers have been flocking to Lynn for their weekend all-you-can-eat dim sum menu, and for good reason. For 68 RMB, one can indulge on a free-flow of traditional Cantonese and Shanghainese favorites. Not a bad price, considering ordering a la carte for a single serving of hot and sour soup will run about half of that (and yes, the soup is also on the all-you-can eat menu).

Next time you’re in the Xintiandi area and are looking for lunch/dinner ideas, try Lan Ting Restaurant (兰亭餐厅). A block away from the tourist hot spot, on the corner of Taicang Lu and Songshan Lu, Lan Ting is perhaps one of the most well known eateries in Shanghai you’ve never heard of. The restaurant serving mostly the local crowd, doesn’t exactly grace the listings sections of City Weekend or Shanghai Talk on a regular basis. And with a décor that’s more Chun than Crystal Jade, Lan Ting isn’t a likely venue for client functions with your local vendor/supplier partners either. But that’s where we come in, with the scoop.

The day before World Consumer Day, our friends across the Strait will be hosting a holiday of their own. On the anniversary of China drafting the anti-secession law into effect last year, the Taiwanese government has instituted Anti-Invasion Day, to be celebrated annually on March 14th. Sadly, Anti-Invasion Day will not be a public holiday.

According to SH magazine's Jarrett Wrisley, there soon may be no reason for Shanghaiist to move back to the States. Why? BBQ, baby!

Crystal Jade Restaurant in Xintiandi