I took this picture at the bund right before I was about to meet my friends for brunch. Last year, I met our friends Kin and Alina for brunch at Shook! It’s definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Shanghai and I have to say that the price is excellent, considering that it’s on the bund!

This new year’s day, I met with them again. It was so nice to do this two years in a row and Alina’s parents joined us this time. It was a joyous time to celebrate 2013 and the fact that Alina is also pregnant! She’s about 6 weeks behind me so it’s fun to compare and rub each other’s bellies. 

This year Shook didn’t have a new year’s menu. But they did have their standard 88RMB business lunch and it was EXCELLENT. I had the beet salad, black pig sausage and a fruit cobbler for dessert. Everyone else’s lunch also looked and tasted amazing. I had a bite of everyone’s but Alina’s dad. He had delicious steak that was really rare, oh how I miss rare steak and sushi. 

I see this as a New Year’s tradition for us, next year with our babies. Sadly the hubby had to work both years but it was nice to spend new year’s day with people. 

I think about how different 2013 will be. We will be parents and our lives have been changed forever. 2013 is the year that my wishes came true. 

The only resolution I have this year is to better myself (emotionally, physically, mentally) everyday for my son. I want him to see that even at 33, (or 60) we can always be a better us. I hope that he knows how much we love him, I can’t wait to meet him in May.

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Shook! 
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel
23, East Nanjing Road
(Bund 19)

I’m feeling better today, I just took my last dose of antibiotics and I’m so glad that is DONE. My face and neck have cleared up but left scar marks, I wonder if those will go away on their own. I knew I shouldn’t have scratched them. But anyway, I’m back to myself today and all it took was a good night’s rest. And now… onto some delicious eats!

The first night that our friends were here we ate at Shook!. Wendy emailed us prior to coming and asked if we would like to eat there. I immediately replied that it’s one of my favorites. This was the first time we ate there at dinner, we usually go for brunch. Dinner was nice, we got the set for two and got to choose from a list of dishes and dessert. We tried everything since Wendy and Mike ordered the opposite of what we did. We were stuffed!

We had the rack of lamb and it was moist and tender. Before Shanghai, I didn’t like lamb at all. I can’t tell if my taste buds have changed or if it’s not gamey here. Either way, yum! It’s located near the bund and I suggested (no matter what time you’re there) to walk along the bund. Take pictures, take in the beauty of Shanghai.

What is your favorite place or meal to eat?

My favorite has to be simple NYC pizza. Thin crust and gooey cheese. That is all I want to eat when I go back home!

While Mindy and Eric were in town I was fortunate enough to join their last dinner in Shanghai. Poor W had a work dinner to go to so I got to enjoy all the deliciousness. It was Mindy, Eric, Benjamin (his cousin), Eric’s parents, Eric’s aunt and his aunt’s friend. Thanks to his Aunt who was gracious in treating all of us to dinner and desserts, it was lovely!

I believe it was a recommendation by his cousin to eat at Mr and Mrs Bund – A modern eatery by Paul Pairet. It is right on the bund, the atmosphere was comfortable (not snobby or stuffy in any way), it was mostly a French menu with some modern twists and there was a balcony to look over the river. All I have to say is that I ate incredibly well and it was absolutely divine.

Since B is French (living in Shanghai, well the whole family is French) and he has been to Mr and Mrs Bund before, we all asked him for suggestions. He was telling me that since I am a musician I must have the Rossini!

B was explaining that dish was specifically made for Gioachino Rossini. It didn’t take much convincing for me to order this dish, after all I love foie gras and honestly, who doesn’t like filet mignon?

To my surprise (since the menu was so simple) there were delicious shaved black truffles on top of a thick blanket of foie gras. I took one small bite of the delicious steak, some foie gras and of course a bit of the truffle and wine reduction and Il barbiere de Siviglia was starting to play in my mind. I remember learning in music history classes (oh, my IU and Juilliard years… how young I was) that Rossini was an excellent cook and had an appreciation for gourmet food. And clearly, this dish was no mistake as it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted and I exclaimed at the dinner table that it was the happiest I had ever been (aside from my wedding). When I finished the last piece of meat, the ending of the overture was going so quickly (even faster than the music! Like it was on fast forward) and then when it was all gone, the last notes of the overture played very – - – very – - – slowly. The cadence shifted to the final note of the piece and I sighed in deep appreciation and smiled that the whole overture was played in my head while I ate. All this talk of Rossini makes me want to go liisten to all his operas.

Fun fact: Did you know Rossini often “borrowed” from his own music? He actually plagiarized his own music! He’s a true talent and that you can’t deny, but I remember finding that quite humorous in college.

For dessert I had the tarte à la crème and it was simply amazing. The top was a thin, caramelized sheet and the inside was a smooth, light cream that was more liquid than cream. The shell of the tarte was buttery, not too sweet and extra crisp. I am salivating as I think about how insane this dessert was. (Why oh why do I have such a sweet tooth?!) Is it bad that I am contemplating about going there just for this dessert?

I included a gallery above to show you what was eaten (around me) and give you an idea of what kind of dishes were served. I had a glass of red wine that was really nice that Eric’s father picked out for the table. His father is well versed in the art of wine and I know there is a lot for me to learn in that regards. Maybe I’ll take a wine appreciation class so that I am more educated in gourmet eatery. (Like Rossini? Ah, I don’t think I’m that classy.)

I am incredibly, whole heartedly grateful for not only Eric’s mother and father but his auntie too. Who have let me tag along with them on their vacation and graciously paid for my husband and I. I was telling Eric’s mother at dinner that I am so happy to not only eat delicious food with them but to have family here to share these beautiful moments together.

PS: It’s my SIL‘s birthday, please go wish her a VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

PPS: It’s my girl Qing’s birthday too!!! Happy birthday Qing, I miss you!!!!