Tranquil oasis amidst city hubbub
By Yang Di and Caterina Bernardini |
May 11, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
The former French concession area is a real gold mine. You can find pretty much everything you want and above all there is always something new to discover. Many visitors are attracted by the fashion boutiques along busy Hengshan Road, but if you take a stroll down the quieter Yongjia Road you won't be disappointed. Yongjia Road - the former Herve de Sieyes - is made up of detached and semi-detached villas, garden residences and colonial-style lilong buildings.
These historical buildings and lanes present an oasis in the middle of busy Shanghai, and were once home to foreigners, rich merchants and famous figures. The section between Wulumuqi Road and Yueyang Road has witnessed many changes over the past two years, with new cafes, eateries, bars and even galleries and nail boutiques opening. Moreover, there are plenty of interesting buildings to explore. Even at those where the gates are closed, you can still savor the detail of the upper floors and rooftops from the street.
L's Life
This is a very unusual eatery, opened 10 months ago by a Taiwan woman who also owns the well-known bar Roof. L's Life is a sort of boutique-style bakery with an open kitchen that allows customers to see the chef at work. The concept is for natural and healthy food made with no additives. Except from the bread, everything is homemade, and staff offer homemade cookies, cakes and very tasty jams at 35 yuan (US$5.55). Snacks include sandwiches and fruit tea for 22 yuan and cakes at 90 yuan each or 25 yuan for a slice. The eatery also stocks lifestyle books and soaps from Taiwan featuring authentic organic ingredients. L's Life offers customers a chance to try their hand at cooking, as the premises next to the shop has been fitted out for classes with Roof's chef offering instruction. Each class costs 500 yuan for two to three hours. You need to book two weeks in advance. There is also an option to rent the space in the bakery and bring your own ingredients. Very original!
Opening hours: 11am-9pm
Address: 519 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 3363-7380
Voce Cafe
This is a really quirky and welcoming cafe. The Chinese owner wants to make his guests feel comfortable ?almost as though they were at home. That's why he chose the name "voce,"which in Portuguese means "yours" as the name of the venture. The atmosphere is indeed very homely, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a relaxing environment. From Monday to Friday, between 2:30pm and 5pm, Voce offers a special tea set - with options including homemade carrot cake, tiramisu and cheesecake - at prices from 35 yuan to 48 yuan. The standard menu also features various sandwiches, salads, soups and smoothies, with prices of between 27 yuan and 55 yuan. Coffee options include a Italian-style espresso at 15 yuan. Decor has a European theme - on the walls are pictures of European cities - and Voce is a popular choice with many expats, enjoying the relaxed surroundings plus a tranquil outdoor space of their 'home from home' just moments from the city's bustle.
Opening hours: 9am-10:30pm
Address: 566 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 6418-2198
Gossip Nail
One of the easiest ways to pamper yourself is to check into a day spa or a nail salon since there are many inspirational and affordable options in the city. Gossip Nail in Surpass Court is an intimate space for anyone who wants to get their nails done or indulge in a luxurious hand and feet treatment. The space is fitted with four comfortable sofas and offers a cozy sanctuary with warm, friendly hospitality. A basic manicure (including nail polish) is priced at 68 yuan (US$10.7), while a pedicure costs 108 yuan. Staff offer more than 200 nail colors, from brands including OPI, Essie, Orly and Skinfood. Luxurious treatments - 328 to 436 yuan - for hands and feet using CND products are highly recommended. The relaxing mask and massage using products with natural ingredients leave your hands and feet pampered and silky smooth. Gossip Nail offers discounts for members and is a perfect choice for nail pampering enthusiasts.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Address: 217 Surpass Court, No. 570 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 6074-5199
Art Labor
Art Labor opened five and a half years ago at its first location on Yongjia Road, aiming to fill a niche in modern Chinese art by not featuring cliched work aimed at foreign consumption and also introducing internationally emerging and mid-career artists to the Chinese market. Having moved to Surpass Court 18 months ago, the gallery showcases the work of between 14 and 18 artists ?with around half from China. Gallery director Martin Kemble has witnessed the development of the local art scene over the past five years and says galleries are much more professionally run now and that there is a growing interest in international artists among locals. Art Labor changes its exhibitions every four to six weeks. A major exhibition opens tomorrow featuring work by Wang Qing, a widely appreciated Chinese artist who spent 20 years in Tokyo and now lives in Shanghai.
Opening hours: 11am-7pm (Tuesday to Saturday); 12am-6pm (Sunday)
Address: Bldg 4, No. 570 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 3460-5331
These historical buildings and lanes present an oasis in the middle of busy Shanghai, and were once home to foreigners, rich merchants and famous figures. The section between Wulumuqi Road and Yueyang Road has witnessed many changes over the past two years, with new cafes, eateries, bars and even galleries and nail boutiques opening. Moreover, there are plenty of interesting buildings to explore. Even at those where the gates are closed, you can still savor the detail of the upper floors and rooftops from the street.
L's Life
This is a very unusual eatery, opened 10 months ago by a Taiwan woman who also owns the well-known bar Roof. L's Life is a sort of boutique-style bakery with an open kitchen that allows customers to see the chef at work. The concept is for natural and healthy food made with no additives. Except from the bread, everything is homemade, and staff offer homemade cookies, cakes and very tasty jams at 35 yuan (US$5.55). Snacks include sandwiches and fruit tea for 22 yuan and cakes at 90 yuan each or 25 yuan for a slice. The eatery also stocks lifestyle books and soaps from Taiwan featuring authentic organic ingredients. L's Life offers customers a chance to try their hand at cooking, as the premises next to the shop has been fitted out for classes with Roof's chef offering instruction. Each class costs 500 yuan for two to three hours. You need to book two weeks in advance. There is also an option to rent the space in the bakery and bring your own ingredients. Very original!
Opening hours: 11am-9pm
Address: 519 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 3363-7380
Voce Cafe
This is a really quirky and welcoming cafe. The Chinese owner wants to make his guests feel comfortable ?almost as though they were at home. That's why he chose the name "voce,"which in Portuguese means "yours" as the name of the venture. The atmosphere is indeed very homely, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a relaxing environment. From Monday to Friday, between 2:30pm and 5pm, Voce offers a special tea set - with options including homemade carrot cake, tiramisu and cheesecake - at prices from 35 yuan to 48 yuan. The standard menu also features various sandwiches, salads, soups and smoothies, with prices of between 27 yuan and 55 yuan. Coffee options include a Italian-style espresso at 15 yuan. Decor has a European theme - on the walls are pictures of European cities - and Voce is a popular choice with many expats, enjoying the relaxed surroundings plus a tranquil outdoor space of their 'home from home' just moments from the city's bustle.
Opening hours: 9am-10:30pm
Address: 566 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 6418-2198
Gossip Nail
One of the easiest ways to pamper yourself is to check into a day spa or a nail salon since there are many inspirational and affordable options in the city. Gossip Nail in Surpass Court is an intimate space for anyone who wants to get their nails done or indulge in a luxurious hand and feet treatment. The space is fitted with four comfortable sofas and offers a cozy sanctuary with warm, friendly hospitality. A basic manicure (including nail polish) is priced at 68 yuan (US$10.7), while a pedicure costs 108 yuan. Staff offer more than 200 nail colors, from brands including OPI, Essie, Orly and Skinfood. Luxurious treatments - 328 to 436 yuan - for hands and feet using CND products are highly recommended. The relaxing mask and massage using products with natural ingredients leave your hands and feet pampered and silky smooth. Gossip Nail offers discounts for members and is a perfect choice for nail pampering enthusiasts.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Address: 217 Surpass Court, No. 570 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 6074-5199
Art Labor
Art Labor opened five and a half years ago at its first location on Yongjia Road, aiming to fill a niche in modern Chinese art by not featuring cliched work aimed at foreign consumption and also introducing internationally emerging and mid-career artists to the Chinese market. Having moved to Surpass Court 18 months ago, the gallery showcases the work of between 14 and 18 artists ?with around half from China. Gallery director Martin Kemble has witnessed the development of the local art scene over the past five years and says galleries are much more professionally run now and that there is a growing interest in international artists among locals. Art Labor changes its exhibitions every four to six weeks. A major exhibition opens tomorrow featuring work by Wang Qing, a widely appreciated Chinese artist who spent 20 years in Tokyo and now lives in Shanghai.
Opening hours: 11am-7pm (Tuesday to Saturday); 12am-6pm (Sunday)
Address: Bldg 4, No. 570 Yongjia Rd
Tel: 3460-5331
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