During my recent trip to Shanghai, I had the priviledge of visiting the top French restaurant in Shanghai - Jean Georges. Located on No 3 on the Bund (next door to M on the Bund) walking into the restaurant I felt like I was walking back in time into the opulent Shanghai of the 1930s.

We went for Sunday brunch which meant that the place was not so busy as normal evenings. We had a table by the window, overlooking the Bund with a perfect view of the ultra-modern Pudong area (our jolt back into reality!) with the Pearl Oriental Tower looking ready to take-off anytime and the Jingmao Tower, all 88 floors of it which also houses the Pudong Hyatt Hotel.

Between the four of us, we had, from the menu of Chef De Cuisine Eric Johnson:

Appetizers
King Fish Sashimi, Spieced Tapioca and Asian Pear
Foie Gras Brule, Dried Sour Cherries, Candied Pistachio
Sea Scallops with Caper-Raisin Emulsion, Caramalised Cauliflower
Kunamoto Oysters with Sparkling Champagne Jelly
Crispy Crad Cake, Cucumber and Lime
Orange Dusted Tiger Prawnsm Artichokes and Aragula
Broiche French Toast, Caramelised Apple

Mains
Garoupa Briased with Citrus and Tumeric, Asparagus and Scallps
Red Snapper Crsuted with Nut and Seeds, Sweet and Sour Jus
Veal Tenderloin with Smoked Chili Glaze, Potato Noodle Gratin
Grilled Sirloin of Beef, Soy, Garlic and Coriander

Dessert Chef Jason Casey surprised is with an offering of 4 item tasting which comprised of:
Warm Chocolate Cake
De-constructed Pina Colada
Banana Tart with Toffee / Caramel cream
and another dessert which was like a souffle but I can't remember what it was.

Us ladies washed all this down with a bottle of Bollinger Champagne and a half bottle of red wine.

3 hours later, we managed to extract ourselves from the lovely surroundings of Jean Georges and the lovely company of Chef Jason Casey and continued the rest of our culinary journey in Shanghai.

Of course, as expected and seeing this is the only Jean Georges restaurant outside New York, the prices are steep. For dinner, expect to fork out USD120-150 per pax or do the smart thing we did, go for the Sunday brunch where you can still sample the food without burning such a big hole in your pocket!

To read more about the man behind this great restaurant, please visit his site at http://www.jean-georges.com/ (PS. It also has the recipe for the Warm Chocolate Cake!)

Other useful information (from http://www.smartshanghai.com/en/scripts/loc.php?loc=444&name=Jean%20Georges%20Shanghai)

Address:
4/F, 17 Guang Dong Rd, inside "3 on the Bund

Phone:
6321 7733

Hours:
Lunch: Mon-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm
Dinner: Mon-Sun 5.30pm-11:00pm
Bar: Mon-Sun 11.30am-1.00am

Cards:
American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, JCB

Prices:
Dinner for two with wine from RMB1700

Nearby metro stations:
15 minutes walking distance south/east of HeNan Zhong Road, Metro#2

Venue Website:
www.on-the-bund.com