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You'll notice that most Chinese restaurants in Shanghai have large, round tables. The reason becomes clear the first time you eat a late dinner at a local restaurant and are surrounded by jovial, laughing groups of people toasting and topping off from communal bottles of beer, sharing cigarettes, and spinning the lazy Susan loaded with food. Whether feting guests or demonstrating their wealth, hosts will order massive, showy spreads.
Shanghai's standing as China's most international city is reflected in its dining scene. You can enjoy xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) for breakfast, foie gras for lunch, and Korean barbecue for dinner. In many restaurants, it’s traditional to order several dishes to share among your party for family-style dining. Tipping is not expected, but more upmarket restaurants will tack on a 10%–15% service charge. Although you can eat at Chinese restaurants for less than Y50 per person, Western meals go for Western prices.
Some restaurants in Shanghai offer set lunches at a fraction of the dinner price. Check out the dining section of Time Out Shanghai, That's Shanghai or Smartshanghai.com, all of which list dining discounts and promotions around town.
Southern China's Yunnan cuisine—with Burmese, Vietnamese, and Thai influences—is highlighted at this restaurant, which has a second location in the Former French Concession. Though service at this branch lacks a bit, the dining room is romantic, with dim lighting and exotic, traditional decor; in warmer months, try for a table on the spacious roof deck.
Prolific restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten's namesake restaurant has delighted Shanghai for quite a few years now, but Mercato is a whole different animal—one where the kitchen really shines with its smaller plates and pizza. Also polished is the industrial chic interior featuring iron, steel, reclaimed wood, and black-leather and wooden chairs that celebrate form and function.
Open into the wee hours, chef Paul Pairet's Bund-side eatery features not only satisfying modern French dishes but also a lengthy list of wines by the glass. If you're not a night owl, come for lunch or brunch, when the terrace views of Pudong's skyine are especially gorgeous.
To reach this Paul Pairet (of Mr & Mrs Bund fame) restaurant, you board a minibus bound for a secret, 10-seat location, somewhere near Suzhou Creek, where you're served several courses, each one paired with customized video projections, songs, and aromas. Several different dining experiences are offered, but all of them are as pricey (seats start at Y4,000) and exclusive (deposits and reservations accepted three months out) as they are unique.
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