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

Harbin: Zhaolin Park

After the sun set on our first day, we visited the Lantern Festival at Zhaolin Park. I quite liked this small, peaceful park, but it pales in comparison to the larger Snow and Ice World. If you are in Harbin for only one night, skip this smaller version.

 

Ice lanterns have been used in Harbin for hundreds of years. Originally, they were carved by fishermen to use at night when fishing on Songhua River. They evolved into decorations in front of homes and are now embraced as an art form. Artists from around the world come to carve sculptures out of huge blocks of ice, cut from the local river.

 

 

Entrance to the multiple parks is not cheap. Expect to pay 200 rmb/person after dark at Zhaolin Park. While you can save some money by visiting during the day, you'd also miss out on the lights.

Phuket: Karon Siteseeing

We awoke to rain showers on our third day in Phuket. Not wanting to waste the day, we ventured to Karon Beach to explore.

The first stop of the day was the obligatory fish pedicure. What's a fish pedicure? You simply stick your feet in a tub full of tiny carp who then nibble away the dead, callused skin on your feet. Only my mom was willing to try out this Thai specialty. She said it tickled.

After picking up a few trinkets, we lunched at Bai Toey, which I would classify as fine but not exceptional. We had much better pad thai at other spots for a fraction of the cost. But service was good and it was a nice spot to wait out a rain storm.

With our bellies full, we wandered through the Karon Temple, a Buddhist Temple in the middle of Karon. Compared to Chinese temples, there is much more glitter involved.

Then it was back to our villas for pool and napping. I didn't take any photos of that. You'll just have to trust that is happened.

Rub a dub dub

Whenever people visit, I like to take them for truly unique Chinese experiences. So their time here is usually filled with tasty noodles, Chinese gardens, and foot rubs.

A Chinese foot rub typically begins with you being seated on a foot stool while soaking your feet in hot water infused with tea and herbs. Sometimes they even give you pajama pants to wear. Especially if you happen to be wearing skinny jeans that cannot be rolled above your knee. While your feet are soaking, a petite masseuse kneads your shoulders and neck.

You then move to a comfy lounge chair where your feet are carefully dried and the masseuse rubs, kneads, pushes and massages pressure points on the bottom, top, and sides of the foot for the better part of an hour.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, each part of the foot is connected to a part of the body. If you feel soreness in a particular part of your foot, it is believed the corresponding part of the body has a problem. If this is true, my entire body is falling apart.

I know what you are wondering. Do I actually like foot massages? And the answer is kind of. I've had some that were soft and left me feeling relaxed. I've had some in which my knuckles are white from gripping the arm chair. But after each one, I pad home on soles that feel as if they are walking on clouds. 

To have your feet kneaded, head to one of my favorite spots about town. Just make sure to learn the Chinese phrase for 'softer please' before you go.

Club Oasis

Address: 30 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu
东湖路30号, 近淮海中路

Congen Massage Healthcare Club
Address: 3F Huafu City, 500 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Xietu Lu
华孚城3楼，天钥桥路500号，近斜土路