“You’d think Mister Tsuri would’ve tasted the food before he opened his stadium,” slurred a jovial member of our dinner party, as we spilled sake down our throats in a red-shag-carpeted cube. “There is no Mister Tsuri,” we explained. “It’s called Matsuri – it’s a restaurant name, not a person.” “Shut up and drink,” he shouted, toasting over a table littered with half-eaten dishes. That pretty much summed up our experience at Matsuri 123 Japanese......

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......

We finally made it out to Tian Jia, the superlative Japanese restaurant famous for serving only one kind of fish: toro, meat from the fatty belly of the bluefin tuna. Our first trip was right before we left for vacation three weeks ago, and our second was the first night we got back. Yes, we craved it the whole time we were gone. For those of you who were like us and never made a......

The last time we heard from Air China, it was hit by an embarrassing spate of accidents. Not so long afterwards, it announced an order for 15 units of the new Boeing 767 Dreamliner. This time, Air China has proclaimed its ambitions to grow its market share in Beijing from the existing 44% up to 50%. And just how does it hope to do that? Well according to Vice-President Zhang Lan, the airline intends to......

For great sushi rolls try Haiku by Hatsune. We want some right now. Haiku by Hatsune, 28B Taojiang Lu, near Hengshan Lu (桃江路28号-乙近衡山路). Tel: 6445 0021. Open 11:30-2 pm; 5:30-10:30 pm. Related Excellent reviews at dianping.com (in Chinese) A sanctuary for the senses (City Weekend) "Deliciously fresh modern Japanese" (SH)......

On the same day that the "Dear Leader" of our friendly northeastern neighbour decided to press ahead with nuclear tests, a brave Singaporean entrepreneur announced his decision to invade the reclusive commie state with his brand of -- guess what -- sushi! According to Douglas Foo, who owns Sakae Sushi, a highly successful regional chain that has also found its way into Shanghai: There is a vast amount of untapped opportunities there... [there is] almost......

Everyone that loves pralines should know where Montargis, France is. But little known is the role it played in the birth of the Chinese Communist Party. in the early 20th century.As of December 8, you will be able to take a direct flight from Shanghai to New York. The catch: it's with China Eastern. Four US airlines are in the process of applying and should be able to provide service in 2007. Plus, Chinese airlines......

We were curious how long it would take for our story about Shanghai in the July/August issue of Budget Travel magazine to become outdated. The answer? Early August. In the story, we mentioned Number Five (also known as No. 5) as a nice place to chill and enjoy some good jazz. We said we liked its "sexy laid-back feel." Well, the bar hasn't had jazz for a while now (performance license issues) and now the......

Shanghai cuisine is set to be "improved", so that a menu can be created for Expo visitors, and they're hoping that "Shanghai snacks in the 2010 Expo will enjoy such worldwide fame as sushi, hotdog, and ice cream." The competition to create new snacks is open to the public, and they say that people can participate via Sohu.You can also contribute your thoughts about the layout and other details of the Expo by taking part......

Aficionados of the "widdly widdly" school of guitaring, bend your whammy bars with joy. Paul Gilbert is coming to Shanghai next month! For the benefit of anyone whispering "Paul Who?" here's a potted biography. Born in Illinois and raised in Pennsylvania, Gilbert recovered from being a childhood fan of The Osmonds to shoot to prominence as lead guitarist with 80s metal band Racer X before going on to achieve bona fide rock stardom as a......