Shanghai Food | Synotrip

Citizen Cafe and Bar

This wonderful new café near Shanxi Road satisfies all of my requirements: a GREAT look, perfect atmosphere, good lattes, friendly staff, yummy fo...

This wonderful new café near Shanxi Road satisfies all of my requirements: a GREAT look, perfect atmosphere, good lattes, friendly staff, yummy food, and a drink menu so impressive and extensive that you might have a hard time making a decision. Citizen is located a little off the beaten track, but near shopping on Changle Lu and not far from Xiang Yang market. Make the effort to find it, and you will be very pleased!

Red velvet curtains and cushions on bench seating combined with dark wood accents and white walls give the café a very European feel. This description is despite the fact that the owners are from Portland, Oregon and San Francisco. Citizen Cafe’s American West Coast influence is evident in the menu which offers a delicious variety of choices from nachos and tuna tartar to cheeseburgers (40RMB). Another cool aspect of the menu is the “create your own” pasta, which lists a variety of sauces to pair with several types of pastas. The drink menu is equally varied and well priced for the upscale feel. Cocktails include Mojitos (45RMB), Planters Punch (45RMB), and Long Island Ice Teas (55RMB) among others. Citizen also boasts a healthy international wine list with a few choices by the glass (50-55RMB). As of February 10, 2006, Citizen will also offer brunch on weekends.

Citizen is proud to offer free WiFi and comfy seating for those that are interested in sitting for a while – without any trace of pressure from the wait staff to leave or order more. The restaurant is two stories with a definite café/bar feel on the first floor and restaurant feel on the second floor. A fantastic upstairs porch is an awesome feature in the summertime.

Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station. Exit onto Shanxi Rd, and then head north for 3 blocks. After passing Changle Rd. look for a small street on the right called Jin Xian Rd. Take a right; Citizen is about 20 meters down the street.

Tairyo Teppanyaki

All you can eat Japanese restaurants have popped up throughout Shanghai in the past few years – some pretty good, some VERY bad. I had been a little wary of trying out these locales since I moved here, but after Tairyo was recommended to me, I thought I would try it. Several unsuccessful attempts at making a reservation only confirmed the initial recommendation, that this place was indeed popular and respected. Finally, on a Friday night, a group of us went to try the RMB150 all you can eat and drink (including beer, wine, and watered down, albeit tasty sake).

We were seated in our own corner room. I would suggest trying to make reservations for 8 or more, then you’re more likely to receive your own table. We felt like we were having our own private party! With the grill warming up and our glasses full of various types of alcohol, the stream of food began with a plate of salmon and tuna sashimi. The sashimi was very good, so good in fact, that later on that night we ordered another plate. The cook then arrived with a variety of meat, fish and veggies that he skillfully grilled up with butter and garlic. Each time he was ready to cook another dish we would either stop him or tell him to go ahead. We only had to stop him once, as he got a little carried away with the mushrooms. After a leisurely night, we were pleasantly full, feeling the alcohol, and ready to head out to the bars on nearby Hengshan Lu.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to the Hengshan Road stop. Exit on Hengshan Rd and head northeast for about 10 minutes. Take a left on Dongping Lu.

Other locations:

Same hours as above:

No.139, Ruijin Yilu, by Changle Lu, Shanghai (+86 (0)21 5382 8818)

No.943, Hongxu Lu, Shanghai (+86 (0)21 6242 2190)

5F, Westgate Mall, Isetan No.1038 Nanjing Xilu, Shanghai (+86 (0)21 6218 3047)

3F, Hong Kong Plaza, No.283 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai (+86 (0)21 6390 7244)

No.1288 Hongqiao Lu, by Songyuan Lu, Shanghai (+86 (0)21 6278 3105)