Tucked away in the charming pedestrianised French quarter (Xintiandi), this is perhaps the smartest place that Shanghai has to offer, along with Three on the Bund. The décor is as smart as anything in London, and the menu tries for sophisticated fusion, with an Australian chef. Chairs were comfortable, the service is exemplary, and the prices also match London. This was full of expats living in Shanghai. The food itself was very good, with some delicate scallops, top class prawns in Szechuan style with carefully controlled spices, and good fish. However there seemed to me just a hint of style over substance here. The cooking was around 13/20 in my usual marking system, which is OK but quite a lot of money for a restaurant of that level.
Nic Moga
T8 is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and has gone through more than a few chefs since your last visit. I spontaneously stopped by here for lunch after visiting the nearby museum on the Chinese Communist Party. There is decadence, and then there is a four-course lunch at T8 with "free-flow" Perrier-Joulet Champagne. The meal consisted of watermelon and goats cheese salad, a small salmon dish, and a wagyu beef burger before a dessert of sorbet and pickled tapioca. Overall a very memorable meal but maybe more for the overkill (limitless champagne with a huge burger covered with a fried egg and chili sauce?) than the actual food. A recommended stop nonetheless.
Paul Smith
Great site, however you should stay away from the tourist spots in Asia and eat real Chinese food. Those quoted are for business visitors, it is like eating in Hard Rock or those awful Steak places in London. Comment?