[Shanghai] Manne et Sante’ [2]

Categories restaurant
[Shanghai] Manne et Sante’ [2]

Manne et Sante’

Add: 96 Shaoxing Lu, near Shanxi Nan Lu / 绍兴路96号, 近陕西南路
Tel: 5465 6297
Hours: 8am~10pm
Price: [afternoon tea] minimum spend 50 RMB/person,  [lunch/dinner] approx. 100 RMB/person
Visited: Mar 2012

It’s been a long while since I last visited Manne et Sante’, and I’m feeling very fortunate to have rediscovered this hidden gem. Take a look at this post, which will hopefully convince you to venture up its shabby and twisting staircase (be careful not to hit your head on the way up). Comfortable leather sofas, natural light streaming in from large window panes, Ella Fitzgerald in the air, and most impressively – affordable and delicious dishes! I wasn’t expecting much given the tiny size of the cafe and the presumably small kitchen, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

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[ShanghaiI] Kush

Categories restaurant
[ShanghaiI] Kush

Kush

Add: 98 Yanping Lu, near Xinzha Lu 延平路98号, 近新闸路
Tel: 5175 9822
Hours: 11am-10pm
Website: www.kush.sh
Price: [starters & salads] 36~59 RMB [mains] 47~69 RMB [drinks] 30~60 RMB
Visited: Nov 2011

Please note that this is an arranged tasting.

After a most gratifying but artery-clogging meal at Kota’s Kitchen, I sought respite at Kush (“happiness” in Sanskrit), a vegetarian cafe serving light-hearted dishes. Lentil burgers, vegetarian pastas, hummus wraps, green smoothies…the dishes here can be hit or miss, but we all need a clean meal like this once in a while.

The place is small, with only 4 tables available. The decor is simple and light: blonde wood, white tabletops, and a scroll of The Heart Sutra hanging on the wall.

Numb from the freezing weather, I skipped the cold appetizers and went right into the hot dishes. I really enjoyed the Lentil Burger (59 RMB), complete with greens, sun-dried tomatoes, chives, walnuts, corn, avocado slices, fresh tomatoes, and pesto on toasted buns. It’s a wonder how meatless burgers can taste this good.

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[Shanghai] M & S Cafe

Categories paris
[Shanghai] M & S Cafe

M & S Cafe

Add: 4F Marks & Spencer, 863 Nanjing  West Rd, near Shimen 1 Rd 南京西路863号玛莎百货4楼，近石门一路
Tel: 6218 2558
Hours: 10am-10pm
Price: [lunch] 30~60 RMB
Visited: Nov 2011

For those of you working near the Nanjing West Road subway station, here’s another lunch idea for you: M & S Cafe, up on the 4th floor of Marks & Spencer. I’m not a fan of this retailer in particular, but its cafe is not a bad place to rest your feet or to grab a quick lunch.

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[Seoul] Miel

Categories seoul
[Seoul] Miel

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Miel

Address: 135-100 서울1F Puzzle Haus, 94-3 Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu
Tel: +82 2512 2395
Hours: [Mon-Sat] 11:00am~1:00am, [Sun] 11:00am~12:00am
Website: http://miel.kr
Price: [drinks] 8,000~12,000 won, [desserts] 8,000~16,000 won, [main dishes] 13,000~16,000 won

Miel, or “honey” in French, is an art gallery/cafe in Seoul’s ultra sleek (and jaw-droppingly expensive) Fashion and Art district Cheongdam-dong (청담동/淸潭洞). Modern decor, beautiful desserts, friendly service…I love it!

Miel

Cute design

Interior

Menu

Browsing the menu, I noticed a curious item called “Dutch baby pancake” (15,000 won). So what is it? Let’s order one and find out.


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[Seoul] Beans Bins Coffee

Categories seoul
[Seoul] Beans Bins Coffee

Beans Bins Coffee

Add: 62-26, Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 62-26 삼청점 서울특별시
Tel: 02-736-7799
Hours: 11am-11pm
Website: www.beansbins.com
Price: [waffles] 10,000~15,000 won [drinks] 4,000~5,500 won
Visited: Nov 2011

Beans Bins Coffee is a wildly popular local cafe chain in Seoul. I’ve passed by its Samcheong-dong branch during my last visit back in May 2010 and even snapped a picture of it without being aware of its fame. A year and half later, I’m back at the shop.

The signature item at Beans Bins is their Ice-Cream Waffle (11,500 won), a waffle topped with scoops of Häagen Dazs strawberry and green tea ice-cream, whipped cream, fresh fruits, drizzled with chocolate sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. I expected to be disappointed – I mean, it can’t possibly live up to its hype, right?  But the waffle was, to my pleasant surprise, very satisfying! Golden brown and crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside (with chopped walnuts in the batter to add crunch), and when accompanied by a bit of ice-cream and whipped cream…Yum.

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[Beijing] NOLA

Categories beijing
[Beijing] NOLA

NOLA

Add: A-11 Xiushui Street South / 建国门外秀水南街11号
Tel: 8563 6215
Hours: [Mon-Fri] 8am-11pm [Sat-Sun] 10am-11pm
Website: nolacafe.com.cn
Price: [drinks] 20~40 RMB [desserts] 30~40 RMB
Visited: Nov 2011

This New Orleans-style cafe has received some very negative reviews online, but I was more than happy with its laid-back ambience and ultra comfortable couches during the few hours I lingered there. I can’t tell you much about the food (New Orleans classics like gumbo z’herbes, po’ boys and beignets) since we only had coffee and desserts (decent and decent), but the lush second floor patio is quite an attraction in itself, especially to those who are undeterred by the chilly Beijing air.

We settled down on the 2nd floor and ordered ourselves some coffee and a S’mores Chocolate Cake (33 RMB).  Chocolate cake, graham cracker, toasted marshmallow, and a scoop of pistachio ice-cream – happily consumed.

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[Shanghai] Red Town 紅坊

Categories other
[Shanghai] Red Town 紅坊

Red Town 紅坊國際文化藝術社區

Add: 570 Huaihai Xi Lu, near Kaixuan Lu 淮海西路570号, 近凯旋路
Tel: 6281 7382
Website: www.redtown570.com
Visited: Nov 2011

If you are looking for an outdoor hangout to enjoy the fleeting Shanghai fall weather, try Red Town. This creative zone has a grassy central area, some very interesting free-standing sculptures, and a collection of cafes, gift shops, and offices. What you can find here: Shanghai Sculpture Space, MAO Live House, BECA Cafe & Bar, Minsheng Art Museum, JOYCE Warehouse, etc. Worth exploring.

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[Shanghai] Vienna Cafe

Categories shanghai
[Shanghai] Vienna Cafe

Vienna Cafe

Add: 25 Shaoxing Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu / 绍兴路25号，近瑞金二路
Tel: 6445 2131
Hours: 8am-8pm
Website: www.viennashanghai.com
Price: [coffee] 25~40 RMB [cakes] 20~45 RMB
Visited: Nov 2011

Vienna Cafe is old news. This cozy little place has been around since 2004, attracting coffee drinkers with its dark wooden decor, marbled tabletops, warm lighting, and a lovely sunroom that’s perfect for lazy afternoons.


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[Shanghai] Lolo Love Vintage

Categories paris
[Shanghai] Lolo Love Vintage

Lolo Love Vintage

Add: The First Door, 87 Wuyuan Lu, near Changshu Lu 五原路87弄第一个门, 近常熟路
Tel: 137 0180 6644
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun, 1-9pm
Price: [drinks] 25 RMB
Visited: Nov 2011

Lolo Love Vintage has relocated from its original Weihai location to a lane in the French Concession. This vintage boutique/cafe is run by Lolo, who is apparently one of China’s top make-up artists and stylists. Vintage fans will love what’s in stock here: “a swathe of ’60s swimsuits, Victorian undergarments, ’20s headgear…someone’s ’80s prom dress on the wall, and rows more of ’50s teapots, pre-loved buttons and a ’40s YSL coat or three”. Read more about Lolo here.

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