CHAR Private

by Zach Etkind
on Friday, January 06, 2012 12:00 AM

Located on the tops floors of Hotel Indigo and featuring world-class steaks and spectacular views of the Bund, the Huangpu River, and Pudong skyline, CHAR restaurant and bar has become a well known destination for anyone looking for a high-end dining experience. However, in a city as wealthy as Shanghai that can claim over 132,000 millionaires, there are always bound to be people looking to make each new experience more exclusive and luxurious than the last. This is where CHAR private comes in, an ultra-exclusive lounge and dining room concept that should satisfy wealthy aspirations.

Located directly above CHAR restaurant, on the 31stfloor of the hotel, CHAR private features a lounge area, a bar, and two dining rooms (the Bund View Room and River View Room), both boasting stunning views. The Bund View room, which can fit 10 for dinner and 20 for cocktails, has a minimum spend of RMB15,000, while the River View Room, which can fit 14 for dinner and 20 for cocktail, has a minimum spend of RMB 10,000. The full package (which includes the whole floor plus the bar etc.) stands at RMB 30,000 on weekdays and RMB 50,000 on weekends.

While patrons at Char Private can order anything from the menu of the CHAR restaurant and bar below, they are also treated to an extravagant silver cheese and chocolate trolley featuring an assortment of rich and decadent treats. The chocolates featured on this trolley come from Belgium-based Neuhaus chocolatiers, who have been around for over 150 years and are credited with inventing the first filled chocolates. The cheese comes from Philipe Olivier, a famous cheese supplier, responsible for providing Sarkozy with cheese when he wishes to entertain guests.  While some people might be unaccustomed to eating cheese and therefore reluctant to sample the stronger and smellier varieties, such as the Crayeux de Roncq, those adventuresome enough to try it might just appreciate its strong, pungent, nutty flavor.

With CHAR private, the team behind CHAR has definitely upped the ante on what defines a truly VIP experience.   Although a dinner at this venue might still be unatainable for the ordinary Shanghainese resident, the ranks of nouveaux riche created by China’s economic boom will find it the perfect venue for their next private or business gathering.

CHAR Address: Top of Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund, 585 Zhong Shan Dong Er Road, Huangpu District