A short walk from our place is one of the best (and little-known) restaurants in Shanghai. It sits in a converted villa from the colonial days, surrounded by a heavy-on-the-feng-shui garden and lake, behind a tall iron fence guarded by a large staff of official looking fellows in blue uniforms who look more prepared to turn you away than welcome you to the best restaurant in Shanghai. (Okay, we really havn't been to that many shmancy restaurants so we're short on data points.) When you enter the villa's grounds there's a long walkway leading to the restaurant's entrance, flanked by polite signs telling you to stay away from the gardens. We have heard that this is a preferred hangout for old communist party officials and that you have to be well connected to gain access to the gardens. We would have loved to walk around the whole restaurant but we tourists are confined to a gorgeous little ghetto on the ground floor. There is a full time staff of people to shuttle you to the bathroom and back and to discourage too much exploring.
Photos: Here are two exterior shots of the restaurant/villa, located on Huashan Rd, near the intersection with Fuxing West.
Slideshow: Here are some more exterior shots and some food shots. Seth attempting to enjoy pig's feet (they taste great, but are nothing but bone); ribs;
some non-xiaolongbao soup dumplings; bok choi with fishlips; crab soup served over winter melon. Delicious. By the way, we highly recommend this place for dim sum.
Bonus video:
See the professionals making Xiaolongbao, to the tune of Billy Joel.
Stay tuned for a photo essay on the Lujiabang fabric market, with shots of our new outfits.
Agreed! The Communist restaurant was a favorite of ours too, although I don't remember it being a "short walk".
So, you made it to the front of the dumpling line at Yu Yuan. Congrats! Loved the video.
arleen said...
August 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
That's the famous Ding Xiang Gardens, rumor has that pre-1949 the most powerful Shanghai mafia boss set up his favorite mistress there, my mom lives across from the right side traffic lights. Did the university fete you? Not like in the US, the chinese have great respect for their professor and treat them like mini-celebrities.
Andy is staying at the Jinjiang Guesthouse, the former Morriss Estate (1930s british newspaper owner)made up of a cluster of european villas and gorgeous garden with expansive lawns where east/west style weddings are held. The Xiao Nan Guo Restaurant is better than the restaurant at Ding Xiang, the xiaolongbao is 5 times more expensive than Jia Jia, almost as good.
Ali said...
August 13, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Hmmm what's that weird western-looking building in the pics? (the white one)
Allen said...
August 16, 2009 at 12:43 AM