Shanghai food tour: Sinan Mansions
The latest verse in Shanghai’s ode to a "Better City, Better Life" comes on the newly gentrified block on Fuxing Lu -- Sinan Mansions.
The renovated villas are home to a bit of history and some pretty fantastic and equally creative restaurants and lounges brought to us by a few of Shanghai’s dining heavyweights: David Laris, Eduardo Vargas and Kelley Lee.
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With these guys marking their respective territories, expect delicious and competitive food and drinks. They’ve brought some of their already successful ventures to the Mansions -- the Fat Olive, Boxing Cat Brewery -- as well as some new concepts.
So saddle up with a big wad of red bills -- most of these places are still only accepting cash -- and join us on our food-centric tour highlighting some of the best (although there is still much more to see) of the new Sinan Mansions.
1. Yucca
Why it’s worth a stop in: Bund revelers who have been hopelessly lost without their Thursday Martini Nights at Laris rejoice. Yucca is your new home. In addition to martinis on Thursdays, David Laris’s Yucca offers some mean Mexican snacks to go with their extensive list of infused tequilas.
Their creative take on a French inspired quesadilla, with fontina cheese and truffles topped with a thin line of arugula pistou (RMB 60) makes for a great companion to any of their drinks. As do any of their three varieties of guac.
Cocktails hover in the RMB 60-70 range, as do most of their bar bites. If you need a full-on meal, the Fat Olive is just a floor below.
Yucca, Sinan Mansions, 519 Fuxing Zhong Lu, Bldg 26A, near Chongqing Nan Lu 思南公馆 复兴中路519号, 近重庆南路, +86 21 3368 9525
2. Chicha
Why it’s worth a stop in: Eduardo Vargas serves a tasty counter-punch to Yucca with his Peruvian lounge, Chicha. The emphasis here is definitely on the food, as their Latin snacks and dinner menu are truly delicious -- especially their sea bass ceviche and mushroom and cream cheese fried wontons.
Drinks are well crafted -- some even blow torched -- by bartender Hector Monroy, and you can do no wrong by sticking to their sweet margaritas.
If you’re seeking dinner, then head upstairs (make sure to reserve first) for an Asian-influenced South American multi-course meal (seven courses for RMB 180, 12 for RMB 280).
Chicha, Bldg. 33, Sinan Mansions, 47 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Sinan Lu 思南公馆47弄复兴西路33号楼, 近思南路, +86 21 6418 0760
3. The Alchemist
Why it’s worth the stop in: Have you ever been to a molecular gastro-lounge? Have you even ever heard of one? Right, that is exactly why you should go.
Kelley Lee, of Boxing Cat Brewery fame among others, is giving Shanghai masses a true drinking education at The Alchemist.
Drinks are incredibly creative: alcoholic cotton candy and sauvignon blanc fog garnishes are just a few of the liquored wonders you’ll find here. And not to be outdone by the drinks list, the food menu is equally tantalizing -- sous vide egg yolk sandwiches, sweetbread sliders, and bacon jus caviar as an accompaniment to foie gras confit.
Prices are no more expensive than other Mansion spots, with drinks hovering around the RMB 70-80 range.
The Alchemist, Sinan Mansions, Bldg. 32, 45 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu 思南路45号思南公馆32号楼, 近复兴中路, +86 21 6426 0660
4. Shanghai Slim’s
Why it’s worth the stop in: Brought to us by the people behind New York Style Steak and Burger, Shanghai Slim’s is an East Coast American steakhouse in the middle of downtown Shanghai. But, their dry-aged USDA Prime isn’t even the reason we like this place -- it’s all about their crustaceans (sacrilege, we know).
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Boston lobsters are stuffed into dumplings (see photo above), hid in bowls of gooey Mac and Cheese, and served whole. And, their Maryland crab cakes are good enough to save us a trip to the Chesapeake Bay with California wines to top it all off.
Shanghai Slim’s, Bldg 26D, Sinan Mansions, 523 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Sinan Lu, 复兴中路523弄思南公馆楼, 26D楼, 近思南路, +86 021 6426 0171
