Photograph: courtesy NUITS Bistro & Vin
New year, new goals – right? Well, if one of your New Year’s resolutions involves stepping away from creature comforts and diving into new and exciting restaurants in Shanghai, you’ve come to the right corner of the Internet! Take a look at the hottest new openings in the city, and be sure to make a reservation ahead of time to secure your seat.
No matter if you’re a cheese aficionado or connoisseur, Mozzarella e Vino is an exciting new opening that is sure to become your next go-to bistro for when those cheese cravings hit hard. Backed by a local cheese brand, Dr. Cheese, Mozzarella e Vino provides a quintessentially European experience that celebrates cheese in all its forms.
Photograph: courtesy Mozzarella e Vino
Whether you visit for brunch, lunch, dinner or anything in between, you’re sure to find different flavours and toppings to complement each bite, from refreshing citrus and berries to house-pickled veggies and vinaigrettes.
Photograph: courtesy Mozzarella e Vino (Formaggio and Cold Cut Board)
Ultimately, Mozzarella e Vino is a day-into-night hangout with an extensive menu that features dishes both with and without a focal. If visiting during the day, their signature Dutch Baby Pancakes are a must-try and come in both sweet and savoury variations. Come evening, while the night away by nibbling from one of their premade charcuterie boards filled with an assortment of different cheeses, cold cuts, nuts, pickles and more.
Photograph: courtesy Mozzarella e Vino (Energy Berries & Dutch Baby Pancake, with Fig, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry and Nutella)
You can expect more exciting additions to be making their way to Mozzarella e Vino in the next couple of months, including: fresh cheese made in-house, additional cheese varieties and flavours, and wine pairings. What’s more, if you plan on hosting a dinner party, you can upgrade those plain boards of butter-yellow cheddar chunks with the help of Mozzarella e Vino’s cheese counter that boasts more than 60 types of both local and imported cheese!
Photograph: courtesy Mozzarella e Vino (Toscany Pulled Beef Pappardelle)
Mozzarella e Vino, 8 Hengshan Lu. Mon-Sun, 10am-11pm.
Tel: 18521361282
When you think about the most renowned artworks in history – from the Mona Lisa to Girl with a Pearl Earring – each has its own unique style and story to tell. Yet, there’s something that they do share in common: a blank, white canvas on which these masterpieces were painted. Taking inspiration from the clean slate on which artists can showcase their unique creativity, CANVAS 222 aspires to do the same with their own platform.
Photograph: courtesy CANVAS 222
Led by award-winning Chef Kevin Han, the team at CANVAS 222 are on a mission to combine modern art with a multi-sensory dining experience. This is done in an invitingly warm and casual setting, which used to house the venue’s former tenant, Lunar.
Photographs: courtesy CANVAS 222 (Toothfish)
Here, dishes are designed to reflect the creativity often found in artwork – including those that will be on display throughout the venue. The menu itself reflects the culinary team's mission to provide a multi-dimensional feast for your tastebuds, and they do thus through the use of seasonal produce, fermented ingredients and a variety of culinary techniques. The result? Moreish bites with layers upon layers of flavour and refreshing plate arrangements.
Photograph: courtesy CANVAS 222 (Wagyu)
Rather than ordering a la carte, diners will be presented with a set menu that will change with the seasons (1580 RMB). This is to ensure that only the freshest of produce is used. Additionally, there are also wine package offerings available as a set of 3, 4 or 6 glasses to accompany your meal at an additional cost.
Photograph: courtesy CANVAS 222
CANVAS 222, 222 Jianguo Xi Lu. Mon-Sat, 5:30pm-9pm.
Tel: (021) 64270127 / 18019131359
Photograph: courtesy NUITS Bistro & Vin
Are you ready to be transported to the Côte d’Or in Burgundy, France? Well, NUITS Bistro & Vin aims to do just that. Inspired specifically by the northern half of the wine region that specialises in the creation of red wines made predominantly from Pinot Noir – Côte de Nuits – NUITS Bistro & Vin is a new addition to Shanghai's food and beverage scene that promises to deliver intriguing flavour combinations in conjunction with thought-out wine pairing.
Photograph: courtesy NUITS Bistro & Vin
The culinary team at NUITS is led by Chef Giovanni, who pays particular attention to combining seasonal local ingredients with international culinary techniques he learned throughout his studies in both France and Southeast Asia. As such, their seasonal menu sees a thought-provoking pairing of dishes that emphasize his perception of flavour combinations while balancing it all off with perfectly-paired wine straight out of their well-stocked wine cellar – think Beef Tartare with Wind Root and Cream (168 RMB); Grilled Small Squid with Red Shellfish, Zucchini and Fish Sauce (188 RMB), or Chocolate Mousse with Truffle, Praline and Madagascar Vanilla (88 RMB).
Photograph: courtesy NUITS Bistro & Vin
NUITS Bistro & Vin, 68 Tongren Lu. Tue-Sun, 6pm-12am.
Tel: 17349758268
“Quedamos para picar algo?” Want to meet for a snack? Inspired by their southern roots in Andalucía, Spain, the team behind La Siesta are bringing authentic Spanish dining to the heart of Shanghai. This simply-designed, yet cosy little venue is comprised of two floors that can seat X people. But, if this taburna andaluza turns out to be anything like the tapas bars you would find on the streets of Andalucía – as in, a bustling neighbourhood joint in which people flit through to grab a quick drink and tapa – you probably won’t have to wait too long for a table.
Photograph: Michaela F (Tosta de Bacalao en Adobo con All i Oli y Rucula / Adobo-style Codfish Toast with Garlic Mayo and Arugula)
Whether you are indeed looking to satiate your hunger until dinner, or are in need of a spot to indulge in your main meal, La Siesta can accommodate. Their menu offers a decent selection of tapas, dishes to share and salads, including tempting classics like Gambas al Pil-Pil (60 RMB), Berenjenas con Miel (Deep-Fried Eggplant with Honey, 36 RMB), Croquetas de Jamon (55 RMB), and more.
Photograph: Michaela F (Gambas al Pil-Pil / Andalusian Garlic Prawns)
La Siesta, 600 Shaanxi Bei Lu. near Xinzha Lu. Tue-Sun, 4pm-12am.
Tel: 15021705817
