Archive for the ‘David Laris’ tag
[SHANGHAI] Downstairs [2]
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Downstairs
Address: 1/F, Urbn Hotel, 183 Jiaozhou Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu / 膠州路183號, 近北京西路
Tel: 5172 1300
Website: www.urbnhotels.com
Price: [lunch] 89~138 RMB
Visited on: 2011-11-09
Had a quick lunch at Urbn Hotel‘s Downstairs last week, here are some snapshots:
Downstairs at Urbn
Interior
Lunch menu
Bread plate
[SHANGHAI] Yucca
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Yucca
Address: 3/F, 26F Sinan Mansions, 45 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Lu 思南路45弄26F号3楼, 近复兴路
Tel: 3368 9525
Hours: 6:00pm~
Website: www.yuccashanghai.com
Price: [Drinks] 65~70 RMB, [Bar Bites] 60~70 RMB
Please note that this is an arranged tasting, so my experience is possibly more positive than a regular visit.
Exactly as the pictures depict, Yucca is anything but subtle. This small cocktail lounge is dramatic with shocking color blocks, elaborate geometric mosaic floor, bar stools in fuchsia and bright yellow, candelabras, Catholic crucifixes, and the likes. The decor is an attraction in itself, and when paired with house special cocktails and bar bites, Yucca makes for an ideal spot for those looking for a theatrical night.
Vibrant colors
Mosaic tiles
Bar
From Yucca’s tequila-focused cocktail list, I chose the house special Mexican Mule (65 RMB), a playful variation of the Moscow Mule made with Sauza blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, passion fruit, NZ Manuka honey, cucumber, ginger beer. Do know that I’m not a cocktail connoisseur – I usually just like whatever that tastes fruity and not very strong – but the Mexican Mule seemed like an easy pleaser (for girls, at least).
[SHANGHAI] The Purple Onion
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The Purple Onion (venue closed)
Address: Lane 351, No. 16, Huashan Lu, near Changshu Lu / 华山路351弄16号, 近常熟路
Tel: 6248 8747
Hours: 11:30am-10:30pm
Website: www.thepurpleonionsh.com
Price: [Lunch] 128 RMB/set [Dinner] 200-250 RMB/person
The Purple Onion serves David Laris’ Mediterranean comfort dishes in the former A Future Perfect lane house space. The secluded outdoor patio, now furnished with new black wicker chairs, is as inviting as ever, but alas the weather in Shanghai has taken a plunge since earlier this week so we were not able to enjoy it. Still, this did not stop us from trying their lunch menu, which is 128 RMB for three courses plus a drink. A good deal? Let’s see it.
Entrance
Outdoor patio
Lounge/bar area
What I love most about the outdoor space at The Purple Onion is that it’s tucked away in a secluded lane, so you won’t be inhaling car fumes like you do at Cantina Agave or Mr. Pancakes House or most other outdoor patios in Shanghai. With the rain, however, we were forced indoor, which is much more somberly decorated. Black walls, black light fixtures, portraits of random dead Europeans, complete with a plastic resin buck’s head mounted on the wall.
Interior
Somber wall decors
But there are some sparkling spots indoor as well. For lunch, we opted for the comfortable and brightly-lit window seats furnished with light purple cushions.
Window seats
Caprese salad done our way
This is a DIY platter consisting of cherry tomatoes on the vine, a mound of fresh basil, bocconcini, a pile of sea salt, a dish of olive oil, and a dish of Balsamic vinegar. A fun alternative to the usual Caprese salad presentation, but not ideal for the lazy ones who prefer their tomatoes sliced and dressed.
[SHANGHAI] Downstairs
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Downstairs
Address: 1/F, Urbn Hotel, 183 Jiaozhou Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu / 膠州路183號, 近北京西路
Tel: 5172 1300
Website: www.urbnhotels.com
Price: ~50 RMB/drink, ~50 RMB/dessert
Downstairs by David Laris, a stylish dining/lounge area on the first floor of Urbn Hotel, is a good go-to place for a cup of coffee if I’m in the area. A cool oasis away from the Jing’an traffic, this place is perfect for a casual afternoon gathering or after work drinks. Take advantage of their drinks specials after 5pm on Thursdays (35 RMB martinis), Fridays (25 RMB beer), and Sundays (25 RMB frozen margaritas). Call to double check on the deals before you head over.
Downstairs in the evening
Leading to the lobby
Thursday martini specials, 35 RMB
From left to right: Mint/Cucumber, Chili/Chocolate, Strawberry/Basil
Woks on the wall
