Dining

AMERICAN	KABB BAR AND GRILL (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)	Casual American bistro type place, ideal for relaxing Sunday brunch served till 4pm at weekends, or for a casual lunch or dinner. Building 5, Lane 181, Taicang Road, Xintiandi, Shanghai. Tel: 3307 0798.
	MALONES	Great burgers, decent live band, American-style sports bar with pool tables upstairs and live band down below. 257 Tongren Lu (just round the corner from the Portman Ritz Carlton). Tel: 6247 2400.
FRENCH	LA SEINE	Uninspiring setting but the food is always good and the prices are reasonable. Somerset Grand Hotel, 8 Jinan Lu, Shanghai. Tel: 6384 3722.
	SENS AND BUND	Opened by French brothers Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, whose restaurant in France has 3 Michelin stars. Probably the best western meal I have had in Shanghai and DEFINITELY the most expensive at over 1600 RMB for my mother and myself. Apparently the lunch deal is a bargain though I've never yet tried. 6F, 18 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu. Tel: 6323 9898.
FUSION	LAPIS LAZULI	Located in the former French concession, next to the former residence of Chang Kai Shek and his wife, Soong May Ling, Lapis Lazuli offers a fusion menu with a mediterranean slant in cosy, wooden decor. 9 Dong Ping Lu (next to Sasha's). Tel : 6473 1021.
	M ON THE BUND	One of Shanghai's earlier fine dining establishments, opened in 1999. A great place to entertain out of town guests, the roof terrace is a strong selling point with an AMAZING view of the Bund. 7th Floor, 1 Guangdong Road, Shanghai. Tel: 6350 9988.
HEALTHY EATING	ELEMENTS FRESH	Mostly healthy options including a range of smoothies, salads, sandwiches and also hot meals in the evenings. Unit 112, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai. Tel: 6279 8682.
	WAGAS	Fantastic sandwiches, the kind you'd get back home - ciabatta, pannini, wraps, salads, pasta and great smoothies. Prices are also like back home but it's worth it! They've now opened a few more around Shanghai and Pudong, so you don't have to make a long trip all the way to Nanjing Xi Road unless that's where you are anyway. 1. LG12A, CITIC Square, 1168 Nanjing Xi Road. Tel: 5292 5228. 2. Hong Kong New World, 300 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, G107. Tel 6335 3739. 3. Hongyi Plaza, Unit G116, 288 Jiu Jiang Road.
HONG KONG	XIN WANG	This is simply the best Hong Kong style cafe in Shanghai with all the classics like won ton noodles, roast duck with rice, rice noodles with beef to name a few. The standard is always good and this place is a popular hangout for the after clubbing crowd, so don't expect it to be empty at 5am on a Sunday morning! There are a few branches around Shanghai but this one is the main branch and is open 24 hours. 175 Changle Lu, near Maoming Lu. Tel: 6415 5056.
ITALIAN	LA GONDOLA	Out of the way little restaurant, close to the Westin hotel. This is my favourite Italian restaurant because of its reasonable prices and simple, unpretentious setting. 16 Henan Zhong Lu (intersection Yan An Lu). Tel: 6321-9803.
JAPANESE	DA YU	This is simply a fantastic concept - pay 150 RMB and then order all you can eat and drink including sashimi, tempura, noodles, steak, scallops, oysters, noodles, sake, beer, soft drinks. They have a few branches around Shanghai but the one I go to most is the one on the corner of Chang Le Lu and Rui Jin Lu. 139 Rui Jin Lu (intersection Chang Le Lu). Tel: 021 5382 8818.
	HAIKU (by Hatsune)	Hatsune was my favourite Japanese restaurant in Beijing, so imagine my delight to hear that they were opening a restaurant in Shanghai. They serve contemporary styled rolls such as their Engen Roll (with avocado, eel, tempura prawns) as well as more traditional sashimi and tempura dishes in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Absolutely not to be missed, although a little more expensive that the all you can eat options available elsewhere in Shanghai. 28B Taojiang Road (close to Hengshan Rd). Tel: 021 6445 0021.
SHANGHAINESE	1931	This place has been around since I was first living here in 1999 but it's still one of my most favourite places for an intimate dinner or drink. Decorated with nostalgic 1930's posters and other memorabilia, and with a simple but adequate menu (go for their special recommendations), it's a must try if you haven't already. But be warned, it's very small so you will have to book or be prepared to be disappointed. 112 Mao Ming Nan Lu (intersection Nan Chang Rd, near Huai Hai Rd). Tel: 6472-5264.
TAPAS	AZUL / VIVA (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)	One of my absolute favourite dining places in Shanghai, Azul serves a fantastic selection of tapas in a relaxing and comfy atmosphere. Downstairs is the more casual lounge, while the more formal restaurant is located upstairs. A word of warning though, the portions are BIG so go easy if you've not been before. 18 Dongping Lu, Shanghai. Tel: 6433 1172.
WESTERN (GENERAL)	KATHLEEN'S 5	Another of Kathleen Lau's creations. The main attraction of Kathleen's 5 is the very unsual setting on the roof of the Shanghai Art Museum which provides a unique view of the city. Shanghai Art Museum, 325 Nanjing Xilu, Shanghai. Tel: 6327 2221.