Shanghai Eats: Champagne Brunch at Vue

Guys, I'm so behind on blog posts. I've been logging 35+ hours at my "part-time" job and simply haven't had time to update. I have more to tell you about Harbin, a trip to Cambodia, and of course Shanghai updates to give. The posts are coming, just not in a timely manner. In an attempt to make it up to you however, I am going to post something that I did today. Yes, that's right, this event occurred only a few hours ago. How's that for quick turnaround?

My friend Lesley decided to celebrate her birthday in style with an all you can eat and drink champagne  brunch at Vue Restaurant. The price tag isn't cheap at 688 RMB per person but the incredible food and service were deserving of the cost. Unlike your average buffet, each of the dishes is made to order at stations situated throughout the restaurant. The result is beautifully executed food delivered to your table.

We started off our meal with glasses of Perrier Jouët along with a stop at the Bloody Mary bar.

Next we moved on to poached eggs with polenta and black truffle before hitting the cold bar for oysters, lobster tail, and king crab legs.

After the seafood, it was steak with red wine and bacon sauce, tiger prawns in cream (a personal favorite), and lobster risotto. As a side note, I apologize that all my photos of food look the same. I'm clearly not a food photographer. 

We took our time, noshing on other dishes such as Boston lobster bisque, steak tartar, and a full Sunday roast. And then finally, it was time for dessert. While we enjoyed everything we sampled, the chocolate soufflé stood out as a favorite in our group.

If you feel like treating yourself to a decadent brunch, this is the place to go. I'd recommend coming early and staying late to allow yourself time to savor your dishes. We arrived at 11:30 when the restaurant opened and waddled out left shortly after 4pm (final call for dishes was around 3pm). While not a spot my waist line could handle on a regular basis, I have no doubt I will be back when another special occasion rolls around. Like because it's a Sunday. Or the sun is shining. Those seems like good reasons to celebrate.

Vue Restaurant, 30th Floor
Hyatt on the Bund
199 Huangpu Lu, near Wuchang Lu
黄浦路199号, 外滩茂悦大酒店30楼, 近武昌路

30 Day Birthday

My friend Annie and her husband W recently welcomed a beautiful baby boy to their family. As W is Chinese, his family hosted a traditional 30 day birthday celebration for the newest member of their family. Matthew and I were honored to be a part of this special event.

(and yes, I put a sticker on the baby's head. He isn't ready for internet fame just yet)

According to Chinese customs, new mothers are expected to enter 30 days of confinement following the birth of their child. They are not allowed to shower, drink cold beverages, or go outside during this time in order to allow their bodies to heal. It's basically 30 days in their pajamas. Or how I spent last summer (but without the whole giving birth part).

After the confinement period ends, both the mother and baby make their grand entrance back to society on the 30th day of the baby's life. Family and friends are invited to the celebration and the baby receives gifts of food, money, gold, and silver. For centuries, China struggled with high infant mortality rates and the 30 day birthday became a celebration that the baby made it 30 days and was therefore much more likely to survive.

According to tradition, relatives and friends receive gifts from the child's parents at the celebration. The types of gifts vary, but eggs are usually chosen since they symbolize change in life. Their round shape also symbolizes a harmonious and happy life. Annie and W hooked us up with plastic eggs filled with chocolate. I think this is how I will prefer my eggs from now on.

We had a wonderful time meeting Annie and W's beautiful baby and partaking in a traditional Chinese celebration. Now if only I could convince my family that I need presents to make up for them skipping my 30 day celebration as a child!