With Italian cuisine adored around the world and such a large expatriate community in Shanghai, the influx of Italian restaurants is no surprise. Although initially wary, many native Shanghainese have slowly been enlightened to the “Western noodle” and the difference ...[ read full review ]
Tavola Simple yet Refined
Binjiang Dadao is Pudong’s answer to the Bund. This riverside promenade features manicured lawns, flowerbeds, and a broad walkway from which people can take in marvelous views of the Bund as well as Pudong’s soaring skyscrapers. A prime piece ...[ read full review ]
In January 2010, the culinary standards for all of Asia were elevated to another level when Chef Umberto Bombana amazed Hong Kong’s upper class by opening his now world-famous restaurant, 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA. As the only Italian ...[ read full review ]
Tiramisu Unexpectedly Authentic
Located along Xuanhua Lu, in an area particularly devoid of other Western restaurants, Tiramisu could easily be dismissed as another weak local attempt at providing ‘authentic’ Italian food. After closer inspection however, one will be pleasantly surprised to learn that ...[ read full review ]
Having been around for 9 years and with two locations in the Jing’An and HongQiao districts of Shanghai, Tima Harbour Café has become a popular Italian eateries among locals. Owner John Wang has always had passion for Italian cuisine and ...[ read full review ]
Is Shanghai really so enamored with Italian cuisine that it justifies the veritable wealth of Italian options? Or is it that Italian food's relative accessibility makes it a preferable choice over the more distinct intricacies of other Western cuisines? The ...[ read full review ]
The first noticeable thing when walking through Bella Mia's arched doorway is the atmosphere. Nestled inside the space that used to house Bravo 10, the new ownership smartly kept the elegant patio, fully equipped with Greco-Roman columns, candle-lit chandeliers, mosaic-tiled ...[ read full review ]
The first noticeable thing when walking through Bella Mia's arched doorway is the atmosphere. Nestled inside the space that used to house Bravo 10, the new ownership smartly kept the elegant patio, fully equipped with Greco-Roman columns, candle-lit chandeliers, mosaic-tiled ...[ read full review ]
The popular Brazilian barbeque chain, Latina, with several outlets throughout Shanghai, have been quite successful in the last 5 years. Alla Torre, which could be considered Latina's sister restaurant, is sometimes overshadowed by her noisier relative. Owned and managed by ...[ read full review ]
Interview: Enzo Carbone, Executive Chef at Issimo
How long have you been cooking, and what made you want to become a chef?
I've been in China 10 years already. When I started at the Jingmao in Pudong, there was nothing there. It amazes me to see it now. ...[ read full review ]
Issimo Back to Basics
Issimo has been opened for over 3 years, which is a respectable amount of time considering Shanghai's revolving door attitude towards restaurants. Its longevity could be attributed to several factors; the boutique hotel which houses it, JIA, playing an undeniable ...[ read full review ]
Dvino A Fresh Taste
Marco Bettio and Mattia Visconti are widely known for organizing the salacious Pervert Parties and for running the former "Studio 54 of Shanghai", MAO. However, this duo's latest project - a wine bar entitled DVino - allows them to ...[ read full review ]
How to move forward from the Shanghai Expo has been a concern sloshing around the minds of many restaurateurs who occupied the site during last year's six-month exhibition. For Palmiro Petrini, the excitement of hosting Chinese and Italian political figures, ...[ read full review ]
Settebello Sette-ling Somewhere New
Transplanted from its old location on HuaShan Road, Settebello has come to join the big boys of AnFu Road, bringing with it the same chef and the same menu, but a different owner. Fans of the old restaurant are no ...[ read full review ]
Interview: Jack Wu, Owner of Fratelli
Is Fratelli your first restaurant? What possessed you to create one?
Yes, it is. I run an Italian brand of men's garments and got to know many Italian friends. By accident, I met someone who is the CEO of a famous ...[ read full review ]
Most Italian restaurants are built on more than pizza and pasta, and Fratelli is no different. They've built their foundations on more than just margherita and spaghetti. There's also wine.
Drinking and dining go hand in hand, like two brothers, or ...[ read full review ]
Nolita A Taste of Little Italy
Nolita's Domenico Patruno is as passionate about food and its presentation as any self-respecting chef from Bari should be. While for many Shanghai venues the six-month mark signals closing time, Nolita has managed to keep playful, with hearty, well-presented fare ...[ read full review ]
How often have you gone out for dinner at a hotel and left slightly underwhelmed? As with any meal that comes from a large and busy kitchen, it's difficult to get that personal touch. However, there are always exceptions to ...[ read full review ]
Gennaro Loosen that Belt
When eating at an Italian restaurant, it's always a good sign to see numerous Italian families and couples among the patrons: Gennaro is one of those places. The menu quite deservedly claims to provide "the authentic taste of Italy", serving ...[ read full review ]
Interview: Catia Busa, Chef de Cuisine at Briccocafé
Why do you think it is that Italian food is so popular in China?
Because it's good! Italian food is simple and is good. If it's meat, for example, you can find the flavor of the meat, not just the sauce.
Which ...[ read full review ]
With bright-red design features throughout the interior, Briccocafé looks like it's ready for Christmas all year round - especially now, decked out in tinsel and decorations for the holiday. Since nabbing Chef de Cuisine Catia Busa out of the Expo ...[ read full review ]
Isola Italian Elegance
The new IFC Mall on Century Avenue is barely finished, with some of the hoarding still in evidence on street level; but despite having some of its wrapping in view, the shiny, sparkly façade is beginning to show through and ...[ read full review ]
Stepping into the guileless style of Salotto 42, the smart, stark contrast between white chairs and black tables initially seems too formal for the restaurant's name, which in English translates as "sitting room". On the other hand, with just five ...[ read full review ]
Macalle Machine Mania at Macalle
It's been three years since the original Macalle reared its head in Shanghai. Slowly slinking its way closer to the center of the city, the venue is following in the footsteps of fellow Italiian restaurant, Bella Napoli, and opening a ...[ read full review ]
An Italian favorite, the tiny Bella Napoli has been a popular choice in Shanghai since its inception. Seeing the success, Owner Guido Esposito decided it was time to make the next step. "The original Bella Napoli always had something missing," ...[ read full review ]
There seem to be so many budget Italian restaurants in Shanghai you can almost step off the street anywhere and walk into one. In fact, that's just what we did the other day.
Grazie on DaGu Road opened five months ago ...[ read full review ]
Pronto(closed) Be a Part of It: New York, New York
The Bund riverside has its fair share of brand buildings. There's Three on the Bund, Bund18 and M on the Bund all lining up to serve you in white gloves and penguin jackets. Settling away from these august but over-crowded ...[ read full review ]
Isola Bella An Italian Island Home
Isola Bella has been a mainstay of Italian cooking for eight years in Shanghai and mainstay it remains. While the restaurant has gotten a recent facelift with new walls and a beautiful raised platform for private parties, customers may still ...[ read full review ]
Pasta Inn An Italian Shelter
There is a lovely new pasta restaurant on Maoming Road. Offering a warm, cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and very reasonably priced food, Pasta Inn is a perfect pit stop after a manic afternoon's shop. Prices rarely go over the RMB50 ...[ read full review ]
Rosso Italiano may not have prices or a finished menu yet, but the food has great potential. Executive Chef, Daniele Priori, is a purist from Rome. Everything from his kitchen is in season, made from scratch and has hundreds of ...[ read full review ]
