Why you should grab a bite: Maybe we should begin with a short introduction to The Freshary. Run by Paul and Sara Bergman, the ice cream and baked goods shop is dedicated to completely organic and vegan treats. All their stuff is made without preservatives, trans fats or any kind of artificial additives and they've just opened up a second shop on Julu Lu.
Grab a Bite: The Freshary's mini muffins
This Week In -ist: Elsewhere in the Gothamist Network
As 2006 ends and 2007 begins, the -ists look back not at the past week, but at the past year. So here it is, your Best of 2006 Spectacular. And from all of us at the -ists, happy New Year!
Jia Zhangke to make Shanghai Expo documentary
There's a definitely a buzz for fans of Chinese cinema with the release of Jia Zhangke's new film Still Life 《三峡好人》. In Shanghai and probably the rest of China, the film's theatrical release comes on December 14, the same day that Zhang Yimou's new film Curse of the Golden Flower. And while from the standpoint of the box office returns, it seems pretty clear who the winner will be, Jia doesn't at all seem flustered by the lackluster box office performance that his film has seen in the limited screenings that have happened over the last few weeks.
Jewish wartime homes to be new Xintiandi
"Only in Shanghai" is what Shanghaiist has been muttering ever since happening upon this article in the Shanghai Daily -- an area of Hongkou district which housed tens of thousands of Jews that fled Nazi Germany and WWII Europe is going to be turned into "the city's second Xintiandi with Jewish culture and characteristics". There will be kosher restaurants, museums, but we don't know yet if there will be a kosher McDonald's cafe or kosher Starbucks, or if the movie theater will serve as a venue for cutting edge films from great Israeli directors like Amos Gitai or Joseph Cedar.

