New Eats

8 New Family-Friendly Restaurants

Get Out of the House and Try Something Fresh By Cristina Ng

Having been stuck in the house eating whatever still delivered for weeks, it sure is time for something new. We’ll you’re in luck, because there’s a new crop of family-friendly indulgences available at Shanghai’s newest restaurants. From mini Danish hotdogs to twee Japanese bentos, these choices will tempt your entire family.

Solana Creative cocktails (for the parents) and solid eats (for the whole family) make this affordable neighborhood eatery an ideal Jing’an dinner stop. Although busy, the simplicity of the menu makes it easy for plates of food to fly from the kitchen to our tables so you can kiss ‘hangry’ temper tantrums goodbye. With taco fillings inspired by far-flung locales such as the Caribbean and Argentina, the flavors stay interesting without being intimidating. And guess what kids love even more than tacos? Ice cream tacos that blow our memories of the beloved childhood novelty treat Choco Taco out of the water.

Kids’ recommendations: Coconut pork rib tacos (RMB48/two), chocolate Aztec dessert taco (RMB58)

> 1085 Wuding Lu, by Jiaozhou Lu 武定路1085号， 近 胶州路 . Nearest Metro: Changping Lu, 10 min. Open daily, 11am-2am (138 1831 7021)

BOR Eatery Mix things up by taking your brood out for casual and creative ‘New Nordic’ Cuisine in this enviable light-drenched space, broken up by the graceful curves of Scandinavian design. The restaurant presents a lively juxtaposition of tastes and textures with a fun menu of snacks and small bites. Mains include Wagyu flap beef with asparagus, brown butter and black pepper glaze or hot smoked salmon. The former is served with grilled jiaozi wrappers, mustard seeds and pickled shallots for a build-your-ownadventure experience.

Kids’ recommendations: Grilled baby corn (RMB32), Danish hotdog (RMB58) hot smoked salmon (RMB188), Wagyu flap beef (RMB300)

Tomatito Popular Spanish tapas joint Tomatito reopened in the Xintiandi area last year, following its rather unceremonious departure from Zhang Court, the charming shikumen-style complex which is slated for redevelopment. While less vibrant than its previous abode, this mall location is ideal for a post- or pre-shopping meal. The tapas are just as light-hearted and wellpriced as before with a few new additions to the menu lineup. Plus, they have twocourse kids sets that include dessert and soft drink for RMB68. We recommend doing family brunch with four dishes for RMB128 plus an additional RMB80 for freeflow house wine or cava.

Kids’ recommendations: Lobster (RMB98) and spinach and manchego (RMB58) croquettes, mini sandwiches with truffle mozzarella and Iberian ham (RMB68). Or, patatas bravas, albondigas, profiteroles with chocolate from the kids set menu

> Innitus Mall, 3/F, Rm. W08-10, 168 Hubin Lu, by Jinan Lu 湖滨路168号3楼W08-10， 近济南路. Nearest Metro: Huangpi Nan Lu, 10 min. Open Sun-Thu, 11.30am-3pm, 5.30-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11.30am-3.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm (6259 8671)

Dodonpa As one of the first tenants open for business in the new mall One Museum Place, Dodonpa is well-positioned to satisfy the hunger of the neighborhood’s office workers, local families and visitors to the Natural History Museum. This bento-based joint comes from the same team as Ifuku and Ifuku Isaribi, including their namesake chef. Indulge in the delicious eel or chicken rice bowls while your little ones go gaga for the fun ninja theme and ‘Cute Overload’ bento lunch, complete with smiling rice balls and octopus-shaped sausages.

Kids’ recommendations: ‘Cute Overload’ (RMB48) bento, soft boiled egg and miso pork cutlets with rice (RMB68), overnight dried chicken (RMB58)

> One Museum Place, L106-110, 388 Shanhaiguan Lu, by Cixi Lu 山海关路388号博华广场裙楼L106, L110, 近慈溪路. Nearest Metro: Natural History Museum, 5 min. Open Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5.30-10.30pm; SatSun, 11.30am-3.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm (6381 8378)

Tube Station This chain from Beijing has opened its first Shanghai location in Minhang’s Fengshang Square, before adding one on Huaihai Zhong Lu, boasting a menu that a child can’t help but love. Think back to your days of pizza fueled birthday parties, and you’ll understand what we mean. While pizza is the main event, there is an extensive list of salads and appetizers including egg salad, cheese fries and American spicy chicken wings. The pizza choices are seemingly endless, from classics like pepperoni to inventive combinations like black pepper beef or tuna melt. Best of all, they just opened a location downtown.

Kids’ recommendations: Cheese fries (RMB29), chicken wings (RMB38), cheese pizza (RMB48-140), pepperoni pizza (RMB48-165)

> Lane 569, Zhuzhaizhenyun Lu, Fengshang Square 诸翟 镇运乐路 569弄丰尚国际广场. Nearest Metro: East Xujing to 880B line bus, 16-25 min. Open daily, 10am-8pm (180 1944 5944)

523-527 Huaihai Zhong Lu by Yandang Lu 淮海中路523- 527 号, 近雁荡路 Nearest Metro: Huangpi Nan Lu, 8 min. Open daily, 11am-10pm (177 1749 9066)

Chuckville With roots in Oregon, Texas, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the team at Chuckville is serious about providing moderately-priced American barbecue classics. Reminiscent of home cookouts, your whole family will enjoy getting their hands dirty with buffalo wings, barbecue chicken, good ole’ country ribs, honey glazed ham and more. For an ending reminiscent of the all-American country fair, take your pick of fried Oreos or Snickers. The junk food staples are coated in pancake-like batter, dunked in the deep fryer and presented tableside with a heaping portion of whipped cream. It’s surely not health food, but that’s beside the point. Plus, they have space upstairs big enough for parties.

Kids’ recommendations: Barbecue chicken (RMB45-180), ribs (RMB45-180), fried Oreos or Snickers (RMB25)

> 1 Yangcheng Lu, by Xizang Nan Lu 盐城路 1 号, 近西藏南路. Nearest Metro: Laoximen, 6 min. Open Sun-Thu, 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-midnight (6323 3351)

The Arashimaya Breakfast Company When we were young, nothing was more exciting for dinner than breakfast. If your kids are also fans of the morning meal, they will love visiting The Arashiyama Breakfast Company for eggs, toast, sausage and pancakes until the kitchen closes at 7pm. They’ve got DIY breakfasts plates, so the pickiest of eaters can assemble their ideal meal, while adults might dig the full Arashiyama breakfast. There’s also a delightful order of four fluffy berries and cream pancakes that come decorated with strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a massive scoop of glossy, fresh-whipped cream.

Kids’ recommendations: DIY breakfast (prices vary), berries and cream pancakes (RMB68)

> 932 Wuding Lu, by Jiaozhou Lu 武定路982 号, 近胶州路. Nearest Metro: Changping Lu, 10 min. Open daily, 10.30am-7pm (156 1886 5379)

PS Cafe This Singaporean import now has two locations in Shanghai shopping malls at Xintiandi Plaza and Grand Gateway. With a massive menu spanning from Western café standards to Southeast Asian street food items, you can’t go wrong. Not to mention massive portions of dessert that rivals the servings at The Cheesecake Factory. Take your kids here, and everyone will be on their best behavior in hopes of earning a wedge of chocolate blackout cake or key lime pie.

Kids’ recommendations: Truffle mushroom pizza (RMB128/only at Grand Gateway), chocolate blackout cake (RMB72, truffle fries (RMB85), Malaysian crab and prawn laksa (RMB98) if your kid likes spice

> 3/F, Xintiandi Plaza, 333 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Madang Lu 淮海中路333号新天地3层 3-11, 近马当路. Nearest Metro: Huangpi Nan Lu, 3 min. Open daily, 10am-10pm (6151 1321) > Rm 202, 2/F, Grand Gateway, 1 Hongqiao Lu, near Huashan Lu 港汇广场, 虹桥路1 号2楼202座, 近华山路. Nearest Metro: Xujiahui, 5 mins. Open daily, 10am-10pm (5448 8187)

Quarantine Cooking Cabin Fever Never Tasted So Good By Cristina Ng

VEGAN KALE PESTO WITH WHOLE WHEAT SPAGHETTI AND YELLOW SQUASH

Serves 6-8 Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh kale • 1 cup fresh basil

• ½ cup raw cashews • 3 garlic cloves

• 1 ¼ cup olive oil • Juice and zest of one lemon

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast • Salt to taste

• A packet of whole wheat spaghetti • 1 Yellow Squash (spiralized or sliced into ribbons)

Method: • Mix the pesto ingredients in a food processor or blender.

• Boil the pasta according to package directions in salted water. • When pasta is done, throw the spiralized squash into the pot.

• Drain pasta and squash, mix hot pasta and vegetables with the pesto. Serve immediately

With cabin fever setting in hard, we decided one way to put the time to good use was to up our kitchen game. After initial concerns that food and water supplies might start running low due to the coronavirus situation, we found a good number of options. One of those was Epermarket, who have not taken a break since the start of the Chinese New Year. When we told them that we were working on this recipe series, they kindly sent us over an order. With our bounty, we put together two hearty pasta meals. All ingredients for both dishes are available on their website, and they deliver to the Shanghai, Suzhou and Kunshan areas.

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS Serves 6-8 Ingredients • 500g Italian sausages

• 2 cans of tomato sauce • 5 tablespoons butter

• Half a white onion • Half a red onion

• 4 cloves garlic • 1 red bell pepper

• 1 yellow bell pepper • 1 green bell pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried basil • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Optional: red pepper flakes or ground red pepper • ¼ cup red wine

• Glug of olive oil

Method:

• Brown sausages in a hot pan. Remove from pan and slice on the diagonal. Set aside. • Add two cans of tomato sauce to a medium-sized pot. Slice the onion in half and put one side into the pot face down. Add garlic cloves, butter and salt. Bring to a simmer until the mixture thickens into a sauce.

• While the sauce is cooking, stir fry the sliced mixed peppers, garlic and onions for about three minutes until softened. • Once the tomato sauce looks good, transfer enough to cover the onion carefully to a blender and mix until the onion and garlic break down. Return to the pot.

• Add sausage, vegetable mixture, dry herbs and red wine to the pot and simmer until vegetables are tender and sausage is heated through. Optionally, finish with red pepper flakes for some heat. Serve on pasta (we chose tagliatelli) or with crusty bread.

This is part of our Quarantine Cooking recipe series – scan the QR code for more.

3 Nourishing Veggie Mama Soup Recipes By Lindsey Fine

Coronavirus has made this winter-spring season especially challenging. If it seems like you’ve been cooped up forever, let our resident vegan domestic goddess offer some comfort. It’s no secret that Veggie Mama loves soup – here she offers three nutritious options.

Carrot Ginger Soup This go-to recipe is easy to make, delicious and healthy. Extra flavor comes from ginger and turmeric. The combination of ingredients makes for a nutrient-packed, warming soup that will help you and your family stay healthy and satisfied over colder months. Make extra-large batches, and freeze some for later, it’s nice to have it ready to go. However, you can easily halve this recipe for fewer servings.

> Scan the QR code for the recipe.

Potato Leek Soup Everyone loves this hearty potato leek soup recipe... especially kids! That’s why creamy soups like this have a prominent place at my dinner table. This potato leek soup recipe will knock your fuzzy socks off, is a cinch to make and – like the carrot ginger soup – can easily be stored for later, so you can heat and eat on a busy day.

> Scan the QR code for the recipe.

Hot and Sour Noodle Soup This recipe is a vegan spin on a traditional Chongqing hot and sour soup. It’s quick and easy to make and it’s blissfully spicy. (If you’re preparing the soup for a group you can add the spicy ingredients at the end and serve those who don’t like spicy food first.) This particular recipe uses chewy and delicious sweet potato noodles, which are fairly easy to find in local markets. Gray in color and hard as a rock, they need a bit of time to soak before cooking, but they are totally worth the effort. Just make sure not to overcook them because they will lose their wonderful texture.

> Scan the QR code for the recipe.