by joanna on August 15, 2010
A luxurious spa experience in Shanghai
It may seem that I do little else but spa when I am in Shanghai. This is not entirely true… but I tend to spend a great deal of time there for business, which can be stressful, so I like to make unwinding a regular part of my Shanghai routine. When I am in Shanghai I usually stay at the Westin on the Bund or the Ritz Carlton Portman, which lucky for me, both have access to great places for massage. When at the Ritz I pop over to Green Massage. And then when at the Westin, I take the elevator up to the 3rd floor to the on-site Banyan Tree Spa. [keep reading…]
by joanna on July 28, 2010
Say hello to my new favourite restaurant in Shanghai!
(Photos by Joanna)
I had been meaning to try Mr. & Mrs. Bund for a while. It’s close to the Westin Hotel where I always stay when in Shanghai. It has a bit of buzz. And the chef was the notable Paul Pairet from former fame at Jade on 36 (which has suffered since he left). Well, if I had known what I know now, I would have been beating a path to its door much, much sooner. I am not sure what I like more – the inventive French food with Asian flourishes, the sexy yet chill vibe or innovative serve-yourself wine bar? I suppose it’s all this and more that led to a recent roaring good time on my last trip to Shanghai. Say hello to my new fave in Shanghai, Mr. & Mrs. Bund (my favorite is still Stiller’s 
Paul ). [keep reading…]
by joanna on February 2, 2010
A minimalist urban sanctuary on the Bund
I had read about the Evian Spa several times over the last couple of years, but somehow never found the time to visit. I often go to Shanghai for work, but it is all rushing around to meetings and work dinners…so while I have often had the opportunity to dine luxuriously, it was always harder to find time to relax. But one of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to create balance in my life. Yes, I work hard…a lot of us do…but I made a commitment to carve out time for self care in 2010 and so on my most recent trip to Shanghai I made a point to visit the Evian Spa in Shanghai. [keep reading…]
by Paul on January 26, 2010
Fine dining has some how become synonymous with epic, bank account reducing gastronomic menus. While these are great (and sometimes life changing) you’re probably not going to want them every night of the week. Most nights you just want great food, reasonably priced and if there is great service, all the better. In Shanghai, that’s Nougatine. [keep reading…]
by joanna on January 19, 2010
Spectacular dining and views to match at this Shanghai gem
Lately I have been getting to Shanghai more often for work. M on the Bund is right around the corner from the Westin Bund Center where I usually stay. Convenience is certainly a plus, but what really keeps me coming back is the fantastic menu and Bund skyline views. So I was excited this time to be able to visit with Paul (instead of the usual business dinner), and share M on the Bund with him. [keep reading…]
by joanna on September 1, 2009
Why is it that Jean Georges seems to define the various culinary chapters of my life?
I first became aware of Jean Georges Vongerichten when I was living in New York. I was in advertising…it was the early 1990’s…expense accounts were fat (people in America not just yet;)…and I was just learning what it meant to eat really well. My first meal with JG, as he is known by foodies worldwide, was at JoJo in 1992. Funny because this is also my mother’s nickname for me, but personal coincidences aside, this was the meal that transformed me. Three courses of wonderment later, my eyes were opened to the startling possibilities of cuisine which pretty much put me on the trajectory of culinary exploration I have been on ever since.
[keep reading…]
by joanna on July 29, 2009
An oft-recommend restaurant on the Bund…can it live up to the hype?
I had been meaning to get to Whampoa Club for a while. It has been recommended several times but somehow in my many trips to Shanghai I often ended up elsewhere. Having had the occasion to try it this time I was excited to see what it is about. Will the pan-Asian flair really be so inventive? Will open up new worlds for me in Chinese cuisine? With locations in Shanghai and Beijing – would Whampoa Club be my new favourite haunt when in China? [keep reading…]
by joanna on July 25, 2009
Beautiful people and glamourous cocktails and this river-view stunner
In the vein of big city bars with a view is The Glamour Bar on the Bund in Shanghai. I tend to have an affinity for Glamour Bar though, over say, the usual bar-with-a-view spots in Asia, e.g. Vertigo in Bangkok, Skybar in Kuala Lumpur or Felix at the Peninsula Hong Kong. Unlike many of its sleek, chic cousins, The Glamour Bar is bursting with personality…like your outrageous gay friend decked out in his most fabulous ensemble. It’s fun, lively, spirited and a little cheeky. [keep reading…]
