Bon Appetit!

El Willy

This contemporary Spanish eatery, from celebrated expat chef Willy Trullas Moreno, sits on the Bund with excellent views of the Huangpu river. El Willy's Executive Chef Koen Vessies has developed not only one of the best casual eateries situated along the Bund, but a vibrant and superb menu to boot.

“Every year I travel to another part of the world to try the food, cook with the local people and get inspired.” Throughout the restaurant there is an eclectic combination of cultural styles using vibrant bright colours and a lively atmosphere that is the invigoration tired parents need.

At weekends, there is a Saturday (night) brunch starting at 8:30pm, designed with busy parents in mind. Including free flow, this brunch is 550 RMB per person. On Sundays, however, there is a more “traditional” style brunch offering a set menu and free flow wine/cava option, with the addition of live Spanish guitar music; brunch starts at 11:30am. The Sunday brunch is 198 RMB per person for five dishes, or for an extra 128 RMB you get free flow cava or red wine. Each night of the week the restaurant features live music providing great entertainment for the whole family.

Their menu specialises in “sexy, contemporary tapas”, including their explosive salmon dish, a thick cut of smoked salmon sitting on top of a thin, crispy cracker soaked in truffle honey. Designed to be eaten in one bite to experience a true sensation of the explosive flavours and textures, it is sweet, savoury and sumptuous! We really enjoyed their croquettes, both crunchy and generously filled with ham and cheese.

For vegetarians the air baguettes are particularly delicious, you get the delight of crunching your way to the super smooth guacamole with a bite of lemon and black pepper on your tongue. To round off a spectular meal, the homemade basil sorbet paired with lemon crumble will certainly put a smile on your face.

Opening hours: Weekdays 11.30am-2:30pm / Weekends 11:30am-3:00pm Evenings - 6:00pm-10:30pm

Find it: 5th floor, Bund 22, 22 Zhongshan Dong Er Road, near Xinyong An Road 中山东二路22号,外滩22号5楼,近新永安路路

For reservations: 021 5404 5757

Le Bistrot de Racine

Le Bistrot de Racine is a quintessential French style restaurant based on Wuding road in Jing'an district. Adorned with foliage and a beautiful interior, Le Bistrot de Racine makes you feel transported to a different world, providing an excellent escape from the whizzing afternoon traffic. The name “Bistrot” connotes that this restaurant is a place where the food is made with love and it is family inclined. One of the greatest features to this hidden gem is the conservatory. It provides fantastic light and a perfect way to celebrate the coming of autumn.

The restaurant’s chef, Jacky, is Shanghainese and has been educated in cuisine in both France and Japan. He manages to bring these elements together by using the best imported ingredients. Each dish has a good structure and the presentation and taste have been given careful thought.

The restaurant’s specialities include: The Rougie Foie Gras terrine an elegant start to a meal. The famous Marseillaise soup, which has a mouthwatering combination of Boston lobster, halibut, mussels, scampi and a hint of saffron). And the delicious pâte plate which includes delicious Ibérico ham, veal and black truffle.

Le Bistrot de Racine is definitely a great place to spend the day due to its quiet and spacious environment. Despite the high prices all the portions are very generous, making them ideal for sharing! For your little ones they can provide high chairs and specific foods upon request. This restaurant is an ideal place for those special family occasions, treating your significant other or taking a break from your usual destinations!

Très magnifique!

Find it: 609 Changde Road near Wuding Road 常德路609号, 近武定路 For reservations: 021 5271 5067

Opening Hours: 12:00pm-Midnight

Entrecôte

Hidden away in a Sunny Walk Shopping Mall is Entrecôte; a warm and family friendly French restaurant. It is one of those places that if you venture inside you will most certainly return. The first striking feature is the high ceilings and design of a Parisian brasserie. The music and atmosphere instantly make you feel relaxed and at ease; making it the perfect place for families to dine together. The bar is wooden clad with inlaid tiled floors, the walls are covered in paintings that transport you away from Shanghai and there’s even a charming little terrace; ideal if you have a pet with you.

The enfant menu has two courses: homemade mini ribeye steak burger served with a dressed salad and fresh french fries, followed by selected ice cream for 88 RMB including drinks. There is also an option of smoked salmon if your child does not wish to eat steak.

All the beef used by the restaurant is sourced from New Zealand and the rib eye steak comes from grass fed cows. The meat is cooked with French expertise without butter or being heavily marinated. Once the steak has been cooked the fat is then removed to make the meat more palatable for a child's tastebuds. The secret sauce contains a variety of herbs, rosemary in particular and butter, paired well with the double fries which are unlimited. Steak prices at weekends start at 188 RMB for the 6oz, 228 RMB for the 8oz and 268 RMB for the 10oz. As a parent, Manager Yohann is acutely aware of the expectations parents have when dining. Not only is the menu tailored to suit children and adults alike, but Yohann uses only the freshest of ingredients that are 100% natural; he refuses to use any additives and all the water they use is filtered. Whether you are celebrating or just enjoying a meal as a family, Entrecôte will not disappoint!

Opening hours: 11.30am-10:00pm

Find it: 1st floor, 230 Ruiping Road near Kaibin Road 瑞平路230号, 近凯滨路

For reservations: 021 5757 8878

Maison Papillon

Maison Papillon is located in a two-storey lane house on Jiaozhou Road in Jing'an District. The restaurant has a neo classical style designed by Margaux & Ellen who chose a serene white and blue colour combination for the restaurant. One of the most outstanding features about the restaurant, in regards to design, is the roof. As a nod to the restaurant’s name, the roof is styled upon the symmetrical patterns of a butterfly’s chrysalis.

Maison Papillon serves up a magnificent menu of French cuisine including their famous Beef Wellington. Taking a peek at one of their Beef Wellington set menus, you’ll find delectable dishes such as the Chef Special: sous vide farm eggs, parsnip puree, sautéed mushrooms, Spanish ham, and truffle chicken vous. Or the fresh seafood option: pan-seared scallops, asparagus, vegetable pasta, and saffron. But without a doubt, the star of the menu is the Beef Wellington (698 RMB). It is baked with tender Australian beef wagyu tenderloin, rougié foie gras, mushroom duxelle, seasonal vegetables, and black truffle sauce. I bet you’ve never had a Beef Wellington quite like this one!

Fun fact: Sophie Marceau, Benedict Cumberbatch, and famous Taiwanese TV producer Wei Zhong Wang, have all had the pleasure of dining at Maison Papillon. But don’t think you have to be a star to visit this restaurant; it’s perfect for date nights, get-togethers with friends, and even family dinners.

Opening hours: 11.30am - 2:00pm / 5:30-9:30pm

Find it: 149 Jiaozhou Road, near East Beijing Road 胶州路149号, 近北京西路

For reservations: 021 62598235

Waldorf Astoria

Waldorf’s champagne brunch is an exciting escape from the bustling crowds of the Bund and it most certainly adds that little bit of glamour on a drizzly Sunday afternoon. On arrival you are welcomed with a glass of Perrier Jouet Champagne and asked if you would like to begin with the crab.

The Brasserie has a great selection of roast carvings, especially the beef which is tender and quite magnificent, along with lamb and sea bass. This is complimented by a wide range of hot or cold seafood including caviar, salmon and mussels. I particularly enjoyed the Irish Oysters which were a brilliant combination with the champagne.

You can order extra dishes from the menu at no charge. I had the 65-degree poached egg with black truffle mushrooms, the ingredients of which were fresh and I was impressed with the wonderful combination of delicate flavours engineered by the Executive Chef Philippe Egalon. For dessert I particularly enjoyed the bread and butter pudding, as it was not too sweet making it ideal for my son! However, he was a lot more interested in the chocolate fondue...

The Waldorf Astoria is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary. It is definitely somewhere that a rambunctious toddler can be entertained when their appetite begins to wane, as there is a small garden that overlooks the dining area and even an inside play area. The best part... children under the age of six eat for free!

Opening hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm

For reservations: 021 5271 5067

Find it: 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road near Guangdong road 中山东一路2号, 近广东路