We have had lunch here a few times already, and its proven to be one of my favorite places to eat in Shanghai.  The food is an interesting fusion of Shanghainese and French fare.  The menu is huge and offers new takes on classics.  Very interesting flavors, great ingredients, and nice atmosphere.  Check it out for sure; Hai Pai Bistro, ANDAZ, 88 Songshan Lu, Shanghai, China.

Finally checked out the pizza joint on Anfu lu, La Strada.  Its a simple space on the first floor, that has a nice natural feel to it.  The menu had some interesting items on it including some good antipasti and cheese plates.  The portions were generous, and the flavors good.  Their bread is quite delicious, as to be expected from a pizza joint.

Service was a little mamahooho, but it was not enough to distract from the good zaa.

We tried a bunch of pizza’s, and the one that caught my fancy was the Quattro Fromaggio.  Maybe its the sever lack of cheeses in my diet here in China!! (That can answer anyone’s question of “why are you so thin being a chef….??”)

The crust is good, nice and thin, slight chew, good crispy crunch.  Its not Napoli, but its pretty damn good for Shanghai.

Pictured is the Melazane.  Eggplant and Salami.  Not bad, but being on Anfu Lu, its pricey za.

My biggest fear at the moment, about the Chinese new year, is actually the lack of food. 

What do I mean you ask?

I mean there will be so many Chinese restaurants and little food stalls around Shanghai that will be closed during the new year, and what am I GOING TO EAT!!?!?!?

The Holidays were crazy busy.  And they flew by as usual.  It sounds like all that I know have had good ones, which has been good to hear.   Mine was busy here at Osteria in Shanghai.  Ben and Rudy were both back in their respective countries, so I was at the restaurant every day keeping things rolling.  This photo shows what happens when I work too much….hahaha!

Lots of great customers came in over the holidays, and we were kept very busy.  Lots of holiday cheer, good food, great wine, and fantastic oysters!

Thanks to everyone for making the season fun and busy!

As for the site, I’m finally in the process of moving everything over to www.plumpoyster.com from the original site.

www.theplumpoyster.com will quickly become my business site.  I’m still not a web designer, but I’ve been getting a lot of practice!!!

DIY restaurant/bar building baby!

Keep an eye out, and subscribe to the rss feed to keep in touch!

HAPPY NEW YEAR (belated)!!!