Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up

by Stephanie Sherrill
on Friday, December 18, 2009

Ever get the munchies when out late, well past bedtime but before the sun comes up?

At the trendy but casual Mr & Mrs Bund, you can enjoy a great set meal during the witching hour. From 11pm-4am, they offer two and three-course set meals, complete with wine and buy-one-get-one drink specials (RMB200-300).

Their style of French comfort food is easily shared, which makes it all the more fun on group nights out.

Another favorite is the brick-oven, thin-crust pizza at Velvet Lounge. It will have you dreaming about crispy dough and scrumptious toppings even in you're sleep. Fight the crowds of dancers to reach the kitchen at the back of the second floor and you'll be rewarded with an utterly amazing pizza - though I have to admit, I've never tried it sober.

If you're stepping out of VIP 88, Bistro Burger is just around the corner and opens till 4am. This Eduardo Vargas venue has hamburgers, creamy milkshakes and french fries, perfect for quashing the late-night cravings. If you want to patronize a Vargas restaurant but prefer poultry to patties, you're in luck. His Brasa Chicken, also open until 4am, serves juicy rotisserie chickens, great for tearing apart with your bare fingers.

Although I'm reluctant to go, City Diner is a destination I tend to gravitate toward (when I'm having trouble with gravity). Perhaps it's because breakfast is a recurrent craving in the early hours. Stay away from the hockey pucks (biscuits) and gravy, but the pancakes, Monte Cristo sandwich and french fries are usually pretty safe choices.

Further down Tongren Lu is Taco Loco, serving fabulously greasy Mexican food. Eat cheese and beans to your heart's content but beware - beans are the magical fruit; the more you eat the more you toot.

A final word of advice: with your tummy full, don't just pass out contentedly in the taxi - they tend not to like that - go home and sleep it off!