By Sophie Steiner
It's time for your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.
This month we are doling out that juicy, juicy gossip, but only in tapas sizes, as summer has so far been on the slow side.
No complaints. We could all use some portion control.
Zup Pizza Bar. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The biggest news of the month is the reopening announcement of beloved Chicago pizza joint Zup Pizza Bar, which is set to take over new digs on Shanxi Bei Lu in Jing'an, up the street from the old Rooster haunt.
READ MORE: Zup Pizza: A Chicago Hou-Lee Trinity of Dough, Sauce & Cheese
After shutting its doors in the end of last October, owners Wayne Hou and Lee Tseng kept the brand alive through popups across the city.
Finally, the second brick-and-mortar store is slated for a mid-September reopen.
Image courtesy of Rozebiff
Another esteemed Chicago-centric establishment, Rozebiff is opening a second 'food stall' location in early August in the City Super at Taikoo Hui, thus expanding its delivery radius.
READ MORE: Liked TV Show 'The Bear'? You're Gonna Love Rozebiff
Rozebiff. Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The abbreviated menu will focus primarily on their signature Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwich, with a few other snacks, salads and sandos also on offer for dine-in, take-away and delivery.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Everyone's favorite Napoli pizza joint, Bottega, is expanding further afield into Jing'an with a second location scheduled to open in August around the Beijing Xi Lu and Shaanxi Nan Lu intersection.
The new venue promises the same authentic Neapolitan pizza that has won international acclaim, but with a revamped vibe.
Paying tribute to Italian fashion and culture – through collaboration with popular Italian brands like Aperol, Ferrero Rocher, La Gioiosa Prosecco and Bialetti – expect a vibrant disco atmosphere.
READ MORE: Bottega: Grabbing a Slice of Shanghai's Napoli Pizza Action
The new spot will also feature a dedicated wine area, where customers can open the designated fridges and grab wines of their choosing, organized by price for a more approachable customer experience.
So Mezze, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Turkish-inspired 'tapas' joint So Mezze by Pasha is also expanding its empire, this time in Pudong's EKA Tianwu lifestyle complex, where popular chains like Lenbach, Somewhere Kitchen, Baker & Spice, Beef & Liberty, Garlic BBQ, Peet's Coffee, and many others have already made their debut.
Expect the same mezze style menu served both inside and on the terrace, with affordable wine options flowing, just like at the original So Mezze hangout in Shankang Li.
Image courtesy of DQ Blizzard & Burgers
Another Western brand, Dairy Queen (DQ), has launched its first burger restaurant in China, DQ Blizzard & Burgers, located on Wujiang Lu, just off Nanjing Xi Lu and opposite Taikoo Hui.
READ MORE: DQ China Launches 1st Burger Restaurant in Shanghai
Over three years in the making, some seriously extensive research has gone into the venture, ultimately culminating in a menu of five beef burgers – including a Shanghai-exclusive Spicy Soy Sauce Beef Burger – and one chicken burger, all adhering to a 5:3:2 'golden ratio' of meat, bun and salad, respectively.
Mona, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Mona opened in early July on the ground floor of Fotografiska Shanghai – a part of the global Fotografiska brand, one of the largest contemporary immersive photography museums in the world, with over 200 exhibitions attracting millions of visitors since its inception in Stockholm in 2010.
Mona, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Designed by AIM Architecture – an internationally acclaimed studio based in Shanghai with a focus on Gen Z-centric décor – the space provides a 'theater of life,' intended to appeal specifically to social media users by integrating art and culture through both the Mediterranean-meets-China fusion food offerings and rotating exhibitions.
Swirl, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The SG Group (Sober Company, Speak Low, The Odd Couple), backed by Japanese bar industry tycoon Shingo Gokan, just opened Tokyo-transplant Swirl on Fuxing Lu.
READ MORE: Swirl – Winetails Bistro by SG Group's Shingo Gokan
Rather than shaken or stirred, here all wine-based cocktails – or 'winetails,' as this nascent drinks category is branded – are swirled, hence the establishment's name.
This wine-meets-cocktail bar offers a laid-back alternative to the high-energy, late-night vibes of sister venue Speaklow – of which Swirl shares a wall – coupled with Asian-fusion sharing plates for relaxed sipping and snacking from afternoon into evening.
Image courtesy of Barules
An institution in the Shanghai bar scene, Barules first opened on Fengyang Lu in 2014, backed by Taiwanese seasoned barman Sam Kuan.
After closing in 2020, Kuan continued his journey by opening Reply Bar in Taipei with Luca Cinalli, a legendary Italian bartender in London.
Most recently, he reopened Barules again here in Shanghai on Tongren Lu.
Image courtesy of Barules
Using cocktails as a bridge to connect the past and present, Kuan showcases a diverse spread of drinks across three menu sections – Customized/Bespoke Cocktails (divided into eight categories: fruit, floral, herbal, tea, spicy, woody, bean, and umami); Sam Kuan's interpretation of classic cocktails by the legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell; and OG Barules libations.
Following the motto of 'the bartender is always right,' this translates to Kuan motivating his bar team to strive for perfection in every drink served.
Image courtesy of Liquid Studio
Across the street from the ever-popular Goodman, Liquid Studio – or 杯训 in Chinese – opened mid-month, backed by Leo Zhuge (a beer import business veteran for eight years) and Yibin Zhang (former manager of Liquor25).
Focusing on craft beer and simple mixers, the concept is all about 'cup training,' as the name translates from Chinese.
"Every drink you have in Liquid Studio enhances your 'training process,' including swallowing all the bad or good emotions, news, and information you want to share with close friends and even yourself," says co-owner Leo, while sipping a craft brew. "It's all about the good drinks, good vibes, and good community in a laid-back setting."
Cheers to that.
Image courtesy of Bela Fiesta
Filipino restaurant Bela Fiesta has opened in the M50 Art District, doling out authentic dishes from the Philippines.
Think sizzling pork sisig, crispy lumpia spring rolls, tangy tamarind sinigang seafood soup, marinated whole roasted inasal chicken, and more, all cooked by a professional Filipino chef.
In true Filipino party style, the space also features live music performances and open mic sessions, befitting any celebration.
Image courtesy of Chuan & Thai
Chuan & Thai has opened not one, but two locations in the last two months – with the first spot in an air-conditioned outdoor tent within the sprawling terrace of Suzie's Garden, followed by a second, smaller location in INS at Fuxing Park.
Led by Northern Thai chef Podcharadanai Phiwngam, the menu is chock-full of classic Thai fare like marinated pork neck, pineapple fried rice, pad thai, crispy prawn cakes, papaya salad, and numerous curries.
While some first believed that the Suzie's Garden location was just a temporary popup, it's actually here to stay indefinitely, a compliment to the wine bistro menu also on offer.
Image via Dianping
Modern Korean eatery and wine bar Ma Sher is now open on Yan'an Xi Lu, sporting a contemporary take on Korean bites paired with mostly Old World wines.
There's also a karaoke room in the back if your night so takes you in that direction.
Image via Dianping
Belgian beer and snacks hangout Chuar Bar held its official grand opening last weekend in Tianzifang with a three-day event, fueled by flowing kegs of Vedett and meaty morsels, sausages, fries, and more.
Image via Instagram @bleuskaicecream
Craft ice cream brand Bleuska hosted its grand opening this month on Yongjia Lu, serving up American style soft serve ice cream and French style firmer ice cream, plus creative handheld ice cream sundaes of sorts.
After launching the first outpost in Hangzhou in 2018, the team expanded with more locations in Suzhou before finally reaching Shanghai.
Expect sweet treats like lemon pie soft serve, Oreo soft serve, and strawberry White Rabbit ice cream, among others.
Chihuahua, Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
As for closures, Chihuahua announced its shuttering at the end of last month, and then – shock – immediately reopened as it received an outpouring of support from the community and was able to renew its lease.
So, we are glad to report tacos, burritos and quesadillas for the people continues.
Xiangyang Lu, Image by That's Shanghai
One of downtown's last remaining bona fide local eats hotspots, on the always bustling corner of Changle Lu and Xiangyang Lu, is set to close by month end for zoning purposes.
The half block on the north side of Changle Lu from Xiangyang Lu going west, plus the west side of Xiangyang Lu for about one third of a block going north from the Changle Lu intersection will be shuttered.
Changle Lu, Image by That's Shanghai
Xiangyang Lu Potsticker Stall, Image by That's Shanghai
Like much of Laoximen that was boarded up two years ago, these mom-and-pop baozi, noodle and potsticker shops have fed many a hungry resident – young and old, foreign and local, day or night – for decades, a true casualty of Shanghai's 'Urban Environmental Beautification' program.
Techno dance bar on Changle Lu, Heim also closed mid-month.
Got a hot tip? Feel free to email all juicy rumors to [email protected].
[Cover image via tricycle.org]
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