Like most of the restaurants on Dongping Lu, diners simply can’t go wrong with Lapis Lazuli. The restaurant has a cool ambiance, polite staff, and pricey yet tasty food. Even when one can’t avoid the wait for a table, Lapis Lazuli even has a well chosen ceramics shop downstairs that always seems to be having a sale.
 
The food is mainly continental, with a little Asian flare tossed in for good measure. At night the restaurant is bustling, so I recommend making a reservation. The best time to come, however, is during lunch, when the patrons are mainly “ladies who lunch” and employees that work in the neighborhood.  The lunch specials are quite a deal, and perfect for those with an appetite.  I like the club sandwich special, which comes with a salad, soup and tea or coffee for RMB 48. At dinner time the prices are significantly higher, so while the food is indeed good… well, let’s just say it tastes a lot better when it’s not making such a dent in the pocket.
 
Nonetheless, Lapis Lazuli is a cool locale well worth checking out, and if dinner is all you have time for, I still recommend it.  I love the wood furniture, which feels almost Thai, and the flowers and artwork definitely exude an enjoyable tropical feel. Try to swing a seat by the window to take advantage of a good view of the drinking crowds piling into Zapata’s and Sasha’s next door. The menu is really easy, so those worried by a group that might be hard to please can rest assure that the wide selection certainly won’t disappoint.
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Rd station.  Exit onto Hengshan Rd. and head northeast to Dongping Rd., about a 10-minute walk. Take a right on Dongping Rd. to find Lapis Lazuli.

I must admit that I was taken to Mexico Lindo on a bad date, so perhaps I am a little biased. Tucked away on a restaurant alley on Hongmei Lu, I found Lindo to be a tad cramped. However, their margaritas and steak tortillas soon won me over. This is definitely not a place to take the kids, but is a quieter alternative to Zapata’s down on Hengshan Lu. It’s a convenient option if you are staying in the Marriot, the Sheraton or the Renaissance.

 

For those seeking baguettes, smoothies and simple pasta dishes, Zoe’s is the place. The main branch is located in the Super Grand Mall in Lujiazui, and is the perfect spot to rest and grab a bite to eat if in the area. Zoe’s is a welcome relief from the incessant fast food found throughout the mall. A wide variety of smoothies, both dairy and non-dairy, is complimented by a simple menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas. I recommend the Salmon Carbonara or the Steak and Gravy baguette. The carrot cake is also spectacular. Those with kids can always pop next door to pick up a Happy Meal and bring it into Zoe’s. It is perfectly acceptable to do that here in China.

1F, Super Brand Mall, No.168 Lujiazui Xilu, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai (上海市浦东新区陆家嘴西路168号正大广场1楼延街)
TEL: +86 (0)21 5047 0756

1F, Maxdo Center Plaza, No.8 Xingyi Lu, Shanghai (上海市兴义路8号万都中心大厦1楼)
TEL:  +86 (0)21 3223 3271

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is the most well preserved Ming and Qing architectural complex in Shanghai, located adjacent to the Dianshan Lake Scenic Area. As early as 1700 years ago, there was a village market here, and it is known as “the pearl of Jiangnan”. Two or more specific scenic spots in the town are inclusive. You will be taking a gondola with a guide on the waterway to view the face of old town from a different angle at your pace. If you want some more time for taking photos, or you have more questions about the history and architecture, just let your guide know.

The Narrow Streets of Shanghai.

Like in Beijing, Shanghai also has a tightly packed alleyways structure called longtangs (弄堂, lòngtáng). In Beijing these areas are called hutongs. The main differences between the two are strikingly visible. Hutongs are short, while longtangs are taller, with two or three stories, towering above the mazes within.

The real life of Shanghai is in these longtangs.

You can find the Narrow Streets in: Jianguo West Road, Fuxing West Road, Hefei Road, Dongtai Road, Huaihai Zhong Road, Huashan Road, Shaanxi South Road, Yan’an Zhong Road, Yuyuan Road, Xinzha Road, Changsha Road, Xinchang Road, Guling Road, Xiamen Road and Yunnan Zhong Road.

In downtown Jing’an District the Anyi Night market re-opened again. During the weekend a new contribution to the city’s revitalizing nightlife.

Anyi Road is located between Changde Road and Tongren Road. It is a small quite lane tucked away near the Jing’an Kerry Center. On Saturday and Sunday night, it turns into a stylish weekend night market. It will open from 4:30pm to 12am on Saturday and 2:30pm to 10pm on Sunday.