Hi all.

First off, thanks for the tons of valuable info I've already gleaned! Haven't been able to find the food threads though!

Let's take Shanghai and Beijing to start. I eat seafood and chicken, but no meat. My wife is a vegetarian, and I like vegetarian food too.

Any recommendations? I tend to go more upscale than down, but as long as the food is fresh and great, I"m open too it.

Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Beachfan

none have made it to the new forum yet, but there are a bunch in the old forum and one or two in dining buzz. try searching for beijing/shanghai and restaurants.

edited to add: my failure to post any actual restaurant recs was not born out of shear ft --do a search-- spite. the fact of the matter is that i couldn't think of any because i'm in the us now (portland, or) and i much prefer eating here.

but, during the past 5 minutes, i challenged myself to think of one restaurant in each city that i would pick over baja fresh (that might seem like a low bar to you, but i am fond of baja fresh and am not afraid to admit it).

beijing: xiaowangfu (kerry centre location is the best) -- i'm increasingly convinced that their duck is among the best in town and the rest of the menu is pretty solid as well. plus, it isn't expensive.

shanghai: suntory; much better than your average japanese restaurant and the ambience is great.

while the fancy western eateries in both cities have earned places in my heart because i live there, i can't really recommend them to western visitors because imo every major city in the US has at least one restaurant that is categorically better. imo, you go to larris or t8 or one of handle lee's many establishments to close a deal, not because you like the food.

i have a harder time commenting on chinese food because, in general, i'm not a fan. however, i still like xiaowangfu for reasons unbeknownst to myself. if you forced me to eat chinese food in shanghai, i would choose shanghai uncle.

i just noticed the veg qualification. check out tandoor for lunch (beijing is better than sh). also green tea house in bj. and, maybe da marco in shanghai.

As a Chinese meal is normally assembled of various shared dishes, you should not have any problems with dietary restrictions. Maybe a Sichuan Hotpot ( maany choices all over Beijing and Shanghai ) would be appropriate? The dish is prepared by yourself at the table so the choice of what and how much to eat is yours.

Or you could order some duck, shrimps and/or a whole steamed fish for yourself and share a variety of veggie dishes with your wife. Best would be to write down your preferences in Mandarin Chinese and show those at any restaurant you are going to or then have your concierge ( if they can be bothered ) call ahead.

In Beijing, I loved this restaurant. Its a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant
called Pure Lotus http://www.frommers.com/destinations...ng/D31127.html

Its just outside the 3rd ring (under 100 ft away)

Most of the meat eaters gave up the meat in favor of
this restaurant.. 3 nights in a row ^

ITs difficult to find from the main road, but here is the
satellite picture: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...04367&t=k&om=1

its at the center top edge

Moondog, thanks for the tips, especially on Tandoor. I found your definitive thread on Shanghai dining circa 2004, (but it's in the "not Japan/China" forum, as are many other dining threads. Searchers will often miss it, as I usually just search the forum I thought relevent). If there are any major changes in your favorites since then, that would be great to know.


CPX, thanks for the tip on Pure Lotus, I've had great meals at some Buddhist restaurants in Asia.

Mos, thanks for the tip on carrying some phrases written out.

Anyone have a favorite seafood restaurant on the Bund. Preferably Asian but not required.

I love upmarket western places, but I understand the appeal of Baja Fresh, and enjoy them too. (Fresh is one key word, and salsa the other).
I get to NYC and Jean Georges there that I don't know if I'm drawn to JG Shanghai. Laris sounded interesting.

Thanks again
Cheers
BF

yeah, somebody should move those threads over. in fact, i'm willing to volunteer for the task myself. so, if a moderator type chances upon this thread, they should feel free to contact me.

Moondog, you've always given such helpful advice re China. Now you are in my city. If there's any help/advice you need, just let me know.

Zaozi Shu
Vegetarian Lifestyle
Fengxian Lu 258
Jiang�an, Shanghai
(021) 6215 7566
www.jujubetree.com

Zao Zi Shu boasts no eggs, meat, fish, fowl or MSG. Fake meat dishes are prominent, most of them created with tofu, and many of the patrons are monks in flowing robes. After eating, you can browse the restaurant�s new-age bookstore.


??????
Hetang Yuese Sushi
Lotus in Moonlight
Liufang Nanli 12
Chaoyang, Beijing
(010) 6465 3299

With its bright, pastel interior, Lotus practically glows with health and is popular for its range of vegetarian options, including traditional fake meat dishes and innovative modern vegetable combinations, as well as an extensive tea selection. Like meat, alcohol is prohibited here.

Thank you Peter!