Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏÍø

Random Gossip

You've probably seen Gordon-Ramsay all over your WeChat moments feed a few weeks ago, cutting some delicious looking piece of meat while everyone was on their phone. So, what's the deal with that? It's at a member-only club at that heritage building outside Taikoo Hui - the one they moved like 50 meters from the original location when Taikoo Hui was built. Can you go? No, unless you fork over 150k rmb for an annual members fee.

Despite the weird name, Uncle No Name is a chain with decent standard western food at fair prices in good locations. Sounds like that should be a success in Shanghai, right? Nope. Most of their shops have now closed.

BANG by mr willis at Grand Gateway has closed, and one of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏÍø's longest running favorite restaurants, Henkes is closing at the end of this month. Despite both being popular, they are bidding adieu. On a better note, however, we hear that this isn't the end of both venues, and that they will likely re-open in the future in new places. Wishing Mr. Willis good luck in the near future (we hope!).

Speaking of large restaurant groups, Alimentari group is down one, Alimentari Piazza in Moho Mall has closed after less than a year.

Hiya, Jason Atherton's Japanese inspired restaurant on top of the Shanghai EDITION hotel, has closed and will re-open on April 15th with a new concept and layout. The hotel is working with the SG group, who owns the Speak Low bar and Sober Company to bring something focused more on cocktails. More on that soon.

More news Bites

The old Manhattan's on Nanyang Lu is now a Drunk Baker. Apparently, someone is pouring a lot of investment money into that chain. Manhattan Bar, in case you were wondering, is now on Maoming Lu. Circle of life.

Speak Low has closed for renovations, with plans to expand to twice the size, taking over the shop next door.

Shanghai has 3 interesting new sandwich shop concepts that we'll check out soon. Already everyone's favorite Sub Standard from Jason Oakley (we've tried it, it's good), Rozebiff, a Chicago style sandwich shop from ex-Da Vittorio chef Edison Liang, and opening mid-April is Totino Panino in Shangkang Li.

Small, Korean fine dining restaurant Nabi from Shanghai celebrity Chef Tom Ryu of Belloco group and also known for his creations at Genesis, is opening another restaurant just downstairs, Wuli. While Nabi is billed as "delicate Korean cuisine", Wuli does traditional Korean cuisine and also offers a range of Korean wine and cocktails.

Bubba's will be re-opening mid-April as Parlay under the Management of Mattie (ex The Camel Smokehouse), with a possible soft opening next Friday.

Da Dong in Reel Mall reopened after almost one year closed for renovations.

Isetan will close in June, which affects all the F&B in there. Most notably, Khan Chacha is already on the lookout for a new location.

Happy Birthday to the El Bodegon group celebrating their 10th anniversary and Mr & Mrs Bund celebrating their 15th. To many more years to come!

The Long List of Openings

Eli Falafel opened its 5th location end of Feb on Yanping Lu taking over the Fat Cow space.

Ragu opened on Jiaozhou Lu. Italian street food.

Italian bakery and bistro Nonna opened its 7th location on the West Bund.

Boston, Massachusetts ice cream chain Emack & Bolio's opened in Grand Gateway next to the cinema. Their first location in Shanghai was in Xintiandi.

Scandinavian fine dining restaurant Promise opened in the Donghu Hotel two weeks ago. Led by Jim Löfdahl, who headed Frantzen's Kitchen in Hong Kong.

Madame Ching opened as part of Yilong in March. Chinese fusion pop-up led by Chef Dali, previously housed at Shanghai Love (2022) and Hengshan 8.

Museo del Jamon opened up shop in Tianzifang serving up all sorts of Spanish jamon, olives and cheeses. Turns out they are in no way affiliated with the Madrid tapas chain under the same name, but they are trying to offer a similar concept at a much smaller scale. As part of their grand opening, there is an all-you-can-eat jamon deal (including wine) for just 98rmb a person

Plenty of new places opened up at EKA Tianwu, that new F&B hub/art-space out in Jinqiao. More on that here.

The Totally incomplete List of Closures

Zodiac, the cocktail bar by Geo Valdivieso (The Broken Dagger, Klay) has closed. It's now Knocknoc.

Brezza by Beach House at More than Eat has closed. Again.

Cyclo, one of the oldest venues in Found 158, has closed, together with all their Pho to Shop outlets.

Instagram's favorite Fenoli has closed. Their new spot in the Citic Square is still open.

Shanghai Love has closed.

UVVU a new bakery concept of the VOL Group has closed.