The Geisha

1 Photo

by Raphael Seghin
on Friday, October 28, 2011 12:00 AM

Collective Concepts, the company responsible for both The Apartment and The Food Central, have kept themselves quite busy lately. Fresh off the heels of their previous venture, the recently opened Geisha is their latest project. Stepping into The Geisha's 3 floor F&B complex, patrons immediately notice the subtle and somber touches that give the venue's interior its distinct appeal.

A lot of emphasis was put into atmosphere and environment, and the attention to detail stands out. RED Design, responsible for other Shanghai favorites such as Element Fresh and Glo London, veered away from their typical ‘safe' designs to give The Geisha more of an edge. While the restaurant, located on the ground floor, oozes a romantic/sexy vibe, the small club on the 2nd floor and the sake lounge on the 3rd each have their own specific ambiance. Several reoccurring themes give the restaurant its explicit allure. Red and black are the prominent colors and contribute to the general feel of the place. Various Bhuddas, an open kitchen and provocative pictures of women with sushi complete the picture.

While an enjoyable atmosphere is always appreciated, it wouldn't be much use if the food wasn't up to par. Thankfully, and through a bit of luck, The Geisha acquired the services of a competent young Japanese Chef by the name of Hatch, literally days before the opening. Coming from a long tradition of Sushi chefs, Hatch has slowly but surely infused his own style into some of the dishes. Besides his expertise in Japanese food, and his distinct fashion sense, he's dabbled in various other cuisines, always willing to find new potential combinations for his dishes. He is charismatic, and there is a perceptible chemistry between him and Mark, Collective Concept's Executive Chef, as they bounce ideas off each other.

While the rolls lean heavily towards the Californian style of sushi, like the tempura avocado and spicy tuna Highway 101 (RMB88), it is the rest of the menu which showcases some of the restaurant's more intriguing dishes. The Pan Seared Salmon (RMB108), with a crunchy fried surface encompassing the juicy, soft pink fish and accompanied by wild mushrooms and asparagus doused in ginger is one of Hatch's creations, and one of his most accomplished.

Between the restaurant and two great after-dinner options, The Geisha proposes an enticing venue for a night out. With a professional and courteous staff, an ambiance that pulls the diner in and fresh, imaginative dishes, The Geisha has a promising future in Shanghai's ever-evolving F&B scene.

The Geisha
390 South Shanxi Rd
陕西南路390号
6403-0244