Shanghai Tavern is one of "The Edition" hotel gastronomic proposals, a stylish renovated gem of what used to be a historical building in the middle of East Nanjing bustling area. I have to admit once you enter there you forget you are in China: the decoration is sophisticated, the service is impeccable and the food is absolutely delicious.

Suitable for business occasions, I would recommend it to impress a client, or just for grabbing a casual –but fancy- meal with some friends. You can either choose a la carte or go with the lunch menu option: 2 courses 170RMB or 3 courses 218RMB. I went with the first option and ordered the duck leg confit in artichoke puree for appetizer and the avocado risotto as a second course. Both dishes were cautiously presented, full of well-balanced savors, high quality ingredients and most important, full of details. For example, a bread basket with butter endlessly available, extra cheese on the risotto grated by the chef directly over your dish, constant refilling of your glass without the need of calling the waitress…all this small but huge particularities make a five star restaurant.

The price is worth the place, food and service. If you are around, don't miss it! For lunch or dinner, it is without hesitation one of my favorites picks in the city.

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Went along to the recently opened Shanghai Tavern at the Edition hotel, or the Western restaurant, take your pick on the names.

I would have that thought they would have included 上海 in their translation, oddly enough the rest of the menu is all in English?

Opted for the following: Traditional pork pie: no jelly to be found, the dish was ok, the pastry passed the test but overall more akin to a Pate en croute than your traditional pork pie! Beef tartare: This was exceptional, one of the best that I have had in Shanghai, and comparable to Villa Le Bec’s tartare. Fish & Chips: large portion of fish, really minty peas, chips were disappointing, why serve shoe string potatoes, when the classic fish & chips from any UK high street would be large thick cut chips. Rib Eye steak accompanied with lobster maître d’hôtel butter: ordered medium rare, the cooks know what they’re doing here, the temperature of the steak was perfect granted, one is only paying 248RMB +15% for this dish, why no indication of the weight of the cut of meat on the menu.

Had several glasses of wine by the glass, the whites were far too cold to enjoy out of the gate, the reds were served at the correct temperature and enjoyable, although the range of wines by the glass were both limited and expensive. I noticed on the menu, a classic dish from the 70’s, which seemed to be on every UK menu, Beef mignon “Tornedoes Rossini “If one is going to use French kitchen terminology for a dish i.e. Tournedos, then make sure you spell it correctly https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/tournedos-rossini-recipe

Why is it that even with the likes of having Ian Schrager / Marriott behind the hotel, designers still can’t get the banquette seat height ratio correct to the dining chair, nor any back support on the banquette, I wonder what the original American architect, Elliot Hazzard of the building would have had to say on the area now. Granted the hotel recently opened, but when asking for a fapiao the response was that finance was off on the weekend, with all the Marriott group hotels in Shanghai one would have thought that the required fapiao machine and documentation would have been in order to operate. The dining room is cavernous and reminded me of a dining room at a Bahnhof, and at 18h30 on a Saturday the music was far too loud for conversation. The service was impeccable, overall ok as a venue, not cheap 1,300RMB for two, and yes, I would go back.

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