When I first came to china we met some very unique and fascinating people, forming relationships that would last many years. I've the MBA to thank for this. CEIBS is not only a jam-packed cranium (and an expensive phone book) but a chance to understand globally distant people in very accelerated and revealing situations.
Shanghai is full of anti-tourism. From the Jing'an Sculpture Park to the insect market there's something for everyone. Nothing, however, comes close to the 'one city nine towns' initiative that has resulted in such urban planning abominations as Italy town, Thames Town and the Scandinavian Lake Malaren.
Bambino is a petite, contemporary Italian restaurant which, if you can get beyond a few kinks, delivers some fantastic food.
Recent reshuffles in the Spanish dining scene have left a gap in the mid-range bracket that Casa 700 is sizing up to fill. Xuedong Xia Wang, formerly of Mistral, has put together a bar / restaurant ensemble over on the dark side of Xintiandi offering a comprehensive menu of Spain-spanning dishes including a fistful of fine appetizers and especially good paella.
The former French Concession can be a wicked place - unforgiving to those not within a stone’s throw of the main drags. It is on the north-of-Anfu periphery that this chirpy, simply decorated newcomer to the pizza-pasta crowd has set up shop. Unfortunately, there’s nothing worse for a new Italian restaurant in Shanghai than an out-of-the-way location and an average menu. Seve has managed both.
As part of this year's Shanghai restaurant week I was graciously invited to a dress-rehearsal of G Waterfront's offering as their fixe-prix menu. RW 2012 will see over 100 restaurants across town offering 3 courses every evening between sept 2nd-9th... all for either RMB 168 or 248.