La Villa Rouge (Xiao Hong Lou)
Located on the western edge of Xujiahui Park in a 1921 red brick mansion that was once the original EMI Recording Studios, this trendy restaurant evokes a wonderfully dreamy bygone era with its dark wood paneling, grand staircases, antique wallpaper, large glass windows, and traditional recording instruments. 1930s Chinese pop classics play in the background as fashionably dressed diners dig discreetly into dishes more fusion than traditional French, all prepared by a team of Japanese chefs who can be creative or experimental depending on how you like the outcome of their efforts. Service is very attentive and individualized. Degustation menus are the way to go if you're blessed with an expense account or rich relatives; a la carte items that fare well include the beluga caviar, foie gras, lobster, beef tenderloin, and the melt-in-your-mouth cod. An after-dinner drink in the bar or on the patio during warmer months is a classy way to spend an evening.
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| Cuisine | CONTINENTAL, FUSION | |
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| Hours | Daily 11am-2:30pm and 5:30-9:30pm (bar is open until 1am/2am Fri-Sat) | |
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| Address | Hengshan Lu 811 | |
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| Location | In Xujiahui Gongyuan, Xuhui District (Southwest Shanghai) | |
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| Transportation | Metro: Hengshan Lu or Xujiahui | |
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| Reservations | Reservations required | |
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| Phone | 021/6431-9811 | |
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| Prices | Main courses ¥190-¥420 ($24-$52) | |
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| Credit Cards | AE, DC, MC, V | |