jenny zhou: china

Thought it was time that I shared with you, my brunching adventures in Shanghai.
It's taken me almost 2 years to find the brunch culture here, and I am so glad I have found my people.
My good friend Christine runs a wechat group for avid brunch loving expats and locals in Shanghai, and frequently holds events, many of the following brunch places below were events run by the Shanghai Brunch Club.
She runs a company here www.shanghaitodo.com, you will always find details on how to participate in said brunch groups. The wechat grop is 'ShanghaiBrunchClub' and give the instagram @shanghaitodo a follow as well while you're at it hehe.

BULL & CLAW

466 Xikang Road

西康路466号, 近康定路

The very first Shanghai Brunch Club event I went to. Took me the full two hours to figure out that Bull was for the beef and Claw was for the lobsters they serve haha. Operating until late night, they're also quite popular for their oysters. It is more on the pricier side, ranging from 150-200rmb per dish, the lobster benedict was AMAZING. Not sure if it was the sauce or what, although slightly stingy on the amount of lobster part.
We also ordered dessert but the food was SO filling, most of that average dessert went to waste.

LIGHT & SALT: DAILY

407 Shan Xi North Road

陕西南路407号, 近北京西路

I'm a sucker for a good interior and this branch (one of three) of Light & Salt just had me click happy on my camera.
We were invited here for a media tasting of their new brunch menu, I did have to leave prematurely though as I had a flight to catch, but what I did see and what I did taste was very yummilicious. I even enjoyed their vibrant beetroot salad and I HATE beetroot.
The store also has a curated shop by an artist upstairs that you should definitely check out.

CALYPSO
Jing'An Kerry Centre, Tong Ren Road
铜仁路近安义路，静安嘉里中心南区广场

Another Shanghai Brunch Club event, in the heart of Shanghai's Jing'An area, the location was beautiful. The cuisine is Italian Mediterranean.

Check this place out in the summer for their outdoor terrace seating, the place is HUGE.
The food however, quite average, but they do have a 72 hour kept pizza (not the slightly soggy one we ate that day).

COFFEE TREE
376 Wukang Road, Ferguson Lane
武康路376路武康庭内，近泰安路

This was my first brunch experience in Shanghai, shown to me by a friend, and it is still one of my favourites
and I continue the tradition by taking all my visiting friends there too.
The food is always good and the place is always bustling. On good weather days definitely sit outside. It is located on Ferguson Lane, a beautiful strip in the French Concession, it is definitely my favourite Sunday vibe. I recommend the key lime smoothie yummay and getting the two course set as it is great value for money. The spinach salad, the bruschetta, the chicken the fish, all good good good.

BUT make sure you leave space for dessert at Farine! Which is undoubtedly the best patisserie in Shanghai, run by a French chef.

FARINE
The original and first of now many branches, my favourite bakery in Shanghai. I recommend the banoffee cake that tastes like a Ferrero Rocher with bananas (AH!) and basically every other cake that they have.

The seating area is VERY limited so sit outsides on the steps or on the benches and live out that 'sunday on the steps eating cake' dream life.

Food adventures will continue, and many more episodes of the 'Shanghai Brunch Club' to come

If you follow me on social media (instagram @jennyjzhou, shameless plug), you would know that I venture my ass to Hong Kong quite often. I do have a few friends there and the 2 hour flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong is only a Hollywood blockbuster or a nap away!

Here is a collection of memories from my past few trips...

THINGS TO DO

Aqua Luna

If you don't get seasick...must do!
Aye aye captain. Unfortunately, we booked on a stormy day but that was a blessing in disguise, as the clouds rolling in looked INCREDIBLE!
Takes off just before sunset so you get to see the view by day and night. Your ticket also covers free flow alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.
Get on early so you can get a kingly lounge seat hehe.

SHOPPING

Joyce Beauty

My all time favourite. Here you will find cult American beauty favourites like Kate Somerville, Perricone MD and more higher end asian brands like Tatcha.

Causeway Bay

Or CWB as more lovingly known. A mecca of shopping centres.
You will find what you want (but not necessarily need) here.

Central

A strip of shops, high end and high street.
I only come here for the Topshop, as Shanghai neglected to incorporate it into their fashion industry.

Times Square

A shopping centre of high end luxury brands but on the outside, surrounded by beauty stores and smaller brands.

Harbour City

They have the BIGGEST Joyce and Joyce Beauty here. This is generally packed everyday, and has a lot more locals and your fellow asians. It is on Kowloon side, so you can take a ferry over and absorb the views while you're at it.

FOOD

Yum Cha

Look how cute it is !!! Nevermind the slightly exxy price, the fact that you will never finish eating all those cute buns, and that it doesn't measure up to yum cha in Melbourne.
Pics or it didn't happen right?
PS, do try the Koppaberg strawberry & lime cider

Elephant Grounds
Don't judge this place by my below sub-par photo. But the menu is so cute and has little illustrations all over it. The wooden and greenery overloaded setting is totally my cup of tea.
The pancakes were like eating sweet clouds and they also have this ice cream sandwich that is like thick malt flavoured ice cream in between two massive macaron biscuits.
PS, the wall outside makes for a killer artsy fartsy photo

Seasons by Olivier E

Mott 32
I was kindly invited here by a friend to try their food out, it is a Chinese fine dining restaurant at the basement of a building.
I have NEVER EVER EVER NEVER had such amazing char sieu (is that how you spell it) in my life. It just MELTED in your mouth HOMGGGGG can't get over it.
The desserts tasted like they came from a top dessert/pastry chef, and not Asian at all
PS, the Hong Kong iced tea, cute as it may look, is laced with alcohol

DRINK DRANK DRUNK

Aqua
Views views views !!!!
This place also doubles as an expensive fancy dining restaurant on the level below (but psst, the food ain't that great I heard...)
Definitely go here at night when all the lights are shining. I ordered a cocktail with raspberry in it, one of the nicest I've ever had !

Sugar

They have a drink called the Victoria's Secret and it has strawberries in it! Ladies, need I say more.
Over on the TST side, you get a different view to the skyline ones back over on Hong Kong Island.

Sevva

'Where all tourists and expats must go at least once'
Drinks are quite pricey (expect to pay ~150HKD for a cocktail), and don't taste the best but...

Ophelia

This place is WEIRD. Funky, sexy, slightly uncomfortable...an experience to be had.

I would show you pictures but
a. I felt too awkward taking pictures of the dancing 'peacock' ladies
b. I don't want to take away from the surprise of the first impression
When you walk in, it is completely different from what it will be like inside. Taking inspiration from 1920s Opium Shanghai, it has a sultry feeling, drowned in shades of emerald and peacock feathers. There are dancers dresses in qipao's walking around, dancing on the bar and also in 'bird cages'.
I can't explain anymore, just go and see for yourself!

Iron Fairies

One of my favourites!!! Not for the drinks, but for the interior and I BELIEVE IN FAIRIES - whoever goes to a bar for the 'amazing' drinks anyway?
Us girls, had a watermelon chocolate marshmallow cocktail. There is food available also !