Nightclub Noshing

by Stephanie Sherril
on Friday, October 02, 2009

We generally make an effort to arrive at a nightclub after dinner and leave before weekend brunch. But Shanghai's clubs are now enticing us to hang around for longer. M1NT and Velvet Lounge have had some success with the concept, and now other nightspots are trying to cash in by turning down the decks and ramping up the stoves during dinner and weekend brunch.

SIN is currently planning to launch a dinner menu at their massive penthouse club. Although they haven't settled on final menu items or pricings yet, an early tasting suggests a creative mix of Western and Asian dishes, accompanied by superb views over downtown. While some dishes were a hit and others a miss, the desserts were a homerun. The grilled pineapple served in a martini glass along with light, creamy ice cream was divine. The chocolate ‘sushi' was a chocoholic's dream, consisting of three dark chocolate rolls with a rich chocolate dipping sauce instead of the usual soy sauce and a small piece of green mascarpone shaped like wasabi. We quickly decided that the chopsticks provided with the dish were only for looks after hopelessly chasing the slippery chocolate pieces around the plate.

New club Bed, converted from the former Otto Café off Nanjing Lu, is offering a kitschy late "breakfast in bed" themed brunch between 4-8pm on Saturday and Sunday. The menu includes breakfast foods, a barbecue, salad buffet and free flow draft beer and soft drinks for only RMB150. Call ahead to reserve your ‘bed' (aka table) and be sure to do a little people watching from the terrace overlooking Nanjing Lu.

Lounge 18 is kicking off its new Champagne Brunch by offering it every day throughout the National Holiday (Oct 1-9). Choose either the Chinese, American or Healthy breakfast options and enjoy free flow Champagne and cocktails for RMB288. With their gorgeous Bund views, filling portions and endless drinks, it sounds like a great option to pass the holiday madness from 11am to 3pm daily. Afterwards, wander next door to the art gallery - you'll be in a perfect frame of mind to interpret the contemporary exhibits on display.