Latest news with #ShanghaiMe
Time Out
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Shanghai Me
If you want to get a sense of the sort of person you'll see at Shanghai Me, the new Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant on the top floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, then consider this: there was a 12-year-old boy behind me wearing a Maison Margiela t-shirt. It will come as no surprise that this high rise Mayfair restaurant is chock-a-block with Loro Piana-clad, facially reconstructed wealthy elite whose means is of questionable provenance. If they get bored with Sexy Fish or Novikov or the ironically charred embers of Chiltern Firehouse, they can come here. In fact, they have come here, because the 28th floor is full on a Wednesday night a mere week after opening. There was a desire to be cynical about Shanghai Me. But it's actually fun Shanghai Me has two other outposts in Doha and Dubai, with another set to open in Monaco. I'm not sure how I feel about our beautiful capital being lumped in with these gaudy Gomorrahs but perhaps that's just where we are. The interiors are surprisingly tasteful, art deco everything and 1990s Wall Street expressionist paintings on the wall. The menu at Shanghai Me is extensive and unsurprising. All the stars are here; wagyu dim sum, cod and miso, black truffle yellowtail. At their suggestion we order a couple of dim sum, a couple of starters, a smattering of mains. First out is the tuna tataki, lightly dressed in ponzu with mini shiso leaves, and it's as good as anything you'll get in a high end omakase. Chicken xiao long bao is soft and oozing with salty, peppery broth, and wagyu beef and shiitake mushroom fried dumplings taste, slightly incongruously, like the best steak and ale pie you've ever had, with a touch of sticky red Chinese ribs. Less good was the shrimp tempura, which was drenched in an admittedly good and elevated, sweet chilli sauce, thus saturating what should be crunchy, softly fried prawns. When you order tempura you want tempura, you know? An ensemble of mains included braised beef which, while a little dry, was accompanied by a viscous and tangy sukiyaki sauce. The cod with miso seemed a no-brainer in a place like this, and while it was immaculately cooked, the miso dip took on a sweetness that overbore the fish. Just the lemon it was served with would have been more than fine. But the broccoli in oyster sauce? The prawn fried rice? Sensational. Familiar dishes that have been seasoned so deftly, and prepared so delicately and with such care that you forget about the teething issues. And that's what they feel like here: teething issues. Our dessert of a strangely deconstructed matcha tiramisu, which resembled almost nothing of an actual tiramisu, but still hits with the sugary force of a spring-loaded boxing glove, came with an erroneous 'Happy Birthday' on-plate chocolate calligraphy. It was sweet in both senses of the word. There was a desire to be cynical about Shanghai Me. But it's actually fun. The dishes are enjoyable, the people watching is second to none, the view is stunning, the mainly Italian serving staff were jovial and had character. If you're going for a silly, opulent date night to rub shoulders with London's anonymous elite, you could do a hell of a lot worse than this. The vibe Plush Asian fusion in an actual Ivory Tower. The food All-of-the-above Chinese food, elevated and carefully done. The drink They have a good selection of both baiju and sake, as well as cocktails tailored to your zodiac sign. And, shockingly for Mayfair, you can get a bottle of wine here for £40.
Arabian Business
18-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
In pictures: Dubai's Shanghai Me announces new London venue at historic Hilton rooftop
Fundamental Hospitality, the Dubai-born luxury hospitality group, will open Shanghai Me this July on the 28 th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, adding a third London venue to its expanding international portfolio. The opening marks the latest step in the group's strategy of exporting UAE-developed concepts to global cities, with Shanghai Me joining Gaia London and La Maison Ani London in the company's UK operations. 'Bringing Shanghai Me to London is a huge moment for us and I am excited to be reviving a Mayfair icon,' said Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman and Founder of Fundamental Hospitality. 'The 28 th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane has long been one of the city's most celebrated landmarks and we are now looking to apply our signature approach to evolve the venue into a vibrant dining and entertainment destination.' The venue, which previously housed Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows, has a storied 60-year history, including hosting The Beatles in the 1960s when it was the first Traders Vic's. The London Hilton on Park Lane was the city's first skyscraper hotel and tallest building when constructed in 1963. Shanghai Me, inspired by 1930s Shanghai, will offer Pan-Asian cuisine under the direction of Chef Izu Ani, the creative mind behind GAIA and La Maison Ani, alongside Chef Yukitaka Kitade, the concept's global culinary ambassador. The menu will feature dishes including Yellowtail Carpaccio with Black Truffle and Cantonese Roast Duck with Foie Gras & Caviar. The 120-seat restaurant will include two private dining rooms with panoramic views from Hyde Park to the Thames. The venue will also house Bund, an intimate bar and lounge featuring DJs until the early hours. Established in 2011, Fundamental Hospitality has built a portfolio that includes 13 concepts including GAIA, Alaya, La Maison Ani, and franchise operations such as Cipriani Dubai and Cipriani Dolci UAE. The group currently operates venues across the Middle East and Europe, with ongoing expansion plans for the GCC, UK and USA markets. Shanghai Me represents the continued international growth of the UAE hospitality sector, as Dubai-based groups leverage their experience in the competitive Gulf luxury market to establish global brand presence.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: Shanghai Me is the thinking man's Chinese
Nestled deep in the labyrinthine luxury of Gate Village 11, Shanghai Me glistens like a jewel in the Rolex dial that is DIFC. It's a restaurant that introduces itself with quiet confidence — elegant, assured, and entirely at ease in its surroundings, a confidence that is well-earned. Now, before I say anything else, let's be clear: this is not your Friday night chowmein nosh-up, elbows-deep spinning the lazy Susan. No, Shanghai Me is Chinese food with a PhD in elegance and a second home in St. Tropez. It's grown-up. Suave. The dining room is all glossy finishes, dim lighting, and enough plush velvet to outfit a minor royal. It fills up quickly, the clientele a mixture of bronzed expats, terrifyingly beautiful women, and men who look like they own crypto firms with suspiciously short lifespans. And just as the room reaches its perfect murmur, up creeps the music — some godforsaken 2013 Ibiza B-side rising like a zombie from the speakers. Why Dubai insists on this sort of music I'll never know. Give me guzhengs, give me erhu, give me a break. But then came the food. Oh God, the food. A procession of starters that arrived in such rhythmic, confident waves, I felt like I was being wooed by a very polite, very well-dressed emperor. First, the duck. A crisp-skinned slice of heaven, hiding foie gras and topped with caviar, because why the heck not? It was rich and absolutely essential for Friday night. Then wagyu beef corn shells — miniature taco dreams filled with something so juicy and unctuous I briefly forgot what day it was. The crispy duck salad was light, fresh, and tragically addictive, like a salad made by someone who secretly hates salads. Dim sum? A tour de force. The prawn har gow melted like first snow. The chicken siu mai packed a punch. The char siu puffs were gooey, flaky miracles. And the wagyu beef taro dumplings — honestly, if I ever end up in hospital, just wheel in a tray of those and I'll self-resuscitate. I could have stopped there. Should have, really. But like a fool, I pressed on. Silver cod came next — light, flaky, as delicate as an opera soprano's cough — and then a mountain of noodles that I ate despite being quite full and already worrying about the buttons on my shirt. It was all too much and not enough, in the best possible way. Dessert was where the magic slightly unspooled. The chocolate tuile with matcha mousse was a beauty queen with little to say. The milk sponge cake, hailed by others, left me cold and a bowl of condensed milk wasn't for me. Still, the verdict is easy: Shanghai Me is the thinking man's Chinese — refined, stylish, and modern in all the right ways. If I had my time again, I'd order three rounds of starters and float home on a duck-fat cloud. Hero dish: Roast duck with foie gras and caviar – 10/10 Senses: Sensible – 8/10 Service: Perfectly pleasant – 8/10 Overall score: 8.5/10 Call: 04 564 0505 KT Luxe
Time Out Dubai
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Dragonfly in Dubai
Look up and you'll spot a giant red dragonfly, which kind of says a lot about this place. Hovering high above the dining room in Business Bay, this restaurant is big and bold in more ways than one. With flavours, design and ideas, more is more. Symbolising strength, transformation and forward motion, Dragonfly's menu mirrors that of its namesake's meaning. Expect 'creative experiments'. And, as diners in Dubai well know, acclaimed chef Reif Othman isn't one for standing still. The cooler-than-cool spot, which is nestled next to the Marina at The Lana Promenade, comes from the team behind Shanghai Me, collaborating with Othman. Outside, there's a terrace – yes, the Burj views are somewhat obstructed by the foliage, so if you want a corker of an Insta shot, your best option may well be perched below the aforementioned giant dragonfly. (Credit: Dragonfly) A central red bar is a top place to stop for a pre-dinner drink, which are inventive (but as a warning are on the pricey side). But the more is more philosophy trickles into your selection, with more than 80 types of Japanese beverages to choose from. Connoisseurs, you will be delighted. When it comes to the menu, expect Othman's signature flair on a list that dances between Japanese and pan-Asian. Think dim sum, miso butter black cod, duck gyoza elevated with foie gras and cherry hoisin sauce. Make sure to try the prawn har gau – which is a chic take on a classic, coming encased in a silky black dumpling finished with a tweeze of edible gold. And why not? Move onto the aforementioned buttery black cod, and don't skimp on the wagyu kamameshi – Kagoshima beef sukiyaki. It's a gloriously grown up dish that still hits the comfort food button. (Credit: Dragonfly) Our advice? Don't miss the crystal toast with otoro. Teetering just under Dhs100 it's a premium bite, but it tastes – and looks – incredible. Not just for the 'gram – although you'll want to photograph it for posterity anyway – the delicate dish has to be tried to be believed. Resembling an ice cube, the 'bread' is a light, crispy bite that only heightens the freshness of the raw fish. Interiors are dark and moody, with swathes of red, while the bathrooms also deserve special mention with high-tech sinks and luxe products – showing just how much thought has gone into this place. And that's really where this Dragonfly soars – its seemingly boundless creativity and forward thinking. A nightlifey venue with dishes that pop, Dragonfly is one for those wanting to try Othman's creations in a sleek newish spot when you want to indulge. Flit along and settle under that statement dragonfly, you'll have a memorable night out for sure.
Khaleej Times
25-02-2025
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: Shanghai Me will take you on a culinary journey through the orient in DIFC
If there's one thing Shanghai Me gets right, it's the balance between elegance and indulgence. Tucked away in DIFC, the restaurant effortlessly merges sophistication with comfort, serving up dishes that feel both luxurious and familiar. My latest visit was nothing short of a feast, with flavours that ranged from delicate and umami-packed to bold and fiery. The dishes: I started with the steamed edamame, a simple yet essential palate cleanser, before diving into the lobster corn shells, a bite-sized burst of sweetness from the corn, perfectly complementing the buttery richness of the lobster. The crispy duck salad with pine nuts and cress was a standout, offering a satisfying crunch with just the right balance of sweet and savory. Dim sum lovers would appreciate the wagyu beef and kimchi dumplings, where the deep umami of wagyu was elevated by the subtle heat of kimchi, and the wild mushroom dumplings, which were delicate yet packed with earthy, truffle-like flavours. For mains, the chicken kung pao with cashew nuts and egg fried rice delivered on texture and spice, while the braised beef short rib Shanghai style melted effortlessly with every bite, its rich glaze adding depth to the dish. To round it off, the tenderstem broccoli in oyster sauce brought a fresh, crunchy contrast to the meal. Ramadan at Shanghai Me This Ramadan, Shanghai Me is offering a special Iftar menu (Dh250) from 5pm to 7pm daily, featuring a selection of dishes that reflect the spirit of the season. Expect handcrafted dim sum, succulent Peking duck, and seafood creations that blend traditional Asian flavors with a modern touch. The restaurant's lush interiors and warm lighting create the perfect setting for breaking fast with family, friends, or colleagues. Whether you're visiting for a casual dinner or an intimate Ramadan gathering, Shanghai Me remains one of DIFC's finest spots for elevated Asian dining. Would I return? Without a doubt. Next time, I'm saving room for dessert.
