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Quiet, sedate Taiyuan strip has lively nightlife neighbor
By Pasty Yang and Jolin Ng |
April 5, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE lively nightlife scene on Hengshan Road may first pop into mind, but you'll soon find that the adjacent Taiyuan Road is nothing like its neighboring road. Instead, the narrow road is more local, being mainly a residential area, and shops or restaurants are sparse.
Admittedly, it isn't particularly exciting but the houses of Spanish style with ornate gates and neat little gardens are certainly worth a look.
For instance, Taiyuan Quarter which was built in 1930 and underwent reconstruction in 1994 is the biggest garden housing estate of Spanish style in Shanghai.
With spring in bloom, the season is perfect for a leisurely stroll along Taiyuan Road and taking in the sights and sounds.
Serenity of Teashop
What you first notice about this small shop is that it's crammed with all things related to tea. One wall displays all the various teas; another has tea sets of all types and sizes. Despite the lack of space, there is still a sense of serenity upon entering the premises, perhaps as the enjoyment of tea has always been a quiet art. The one-year-old shop carries all the major Chinese teas like pu'er, tieguanyin and longjing, all available in different grades. Floral tea is also an option for those who prefer sweeter and lighter teas. There's a special set where eight types of floral teas have been packaged together, which is an economic way (80 yuan) of getting to sample the different styles. Also, check out the colorful boxes for keeping tea leaves in, a good buy for only 5 yuan. Take your time shopping for a particular tea that you like, especially when you get to sample the tea brewed by the shop attendant for free and without any obligations.
Taiyuan Villa's glory restored
Walk to No. 160 and catch a glimpse of Taiyuan Villa, one of the most magnificent villas in Shanghai. Run by the Ruijin Hotel, the 12,650-square-meter Taiyuan Villa is a tranquil retreat from the city's hustle and bustle, offering 23 individual rooms and 16 hotel-style apartments. It is also known as the Marshall House for American General George Marshall who stayed there between 1945 and 1949. The opulent mansion was built in the 1920s in a French Renaissance revival style. In 2007, it was restored to its original glory by a British architect. Anything not original has been removed, and all original details have been carefully restored.
Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum in stylish mansion
The Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum at the corner of Taiyuan and Fenyang roads is a three-story Renaissance-style mansion. Built in 1905, the house was originally created for the director of the then French Chamber of Industry in Shanghai. In 1954, it became the office of the Friendship Organization of China and the former Soviet Union, and in 1963 the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Research Institute moved in. The institute opened a museum in the house in 2001 to showcase traditional handicrafts and the work of skilled Shanghai craftsmen. As a museum, nearly all of the building is open to the public. The mansion's beauty and its interesting arts and crafts exhibits make it an essential place to visit along Taiyuan Road.
Roosevelt's hearty steaks
With a name like Roosevelt, it's not difficult to guess about the American roots of this steakhouse. Opened in 2007, the prime steakhouse has been winning over fans (mostly foreigners) with its signature prime steaks. Cooked in a customized stone oven, the steaks (300-1,250 yuan, depending on cut and grade) are thick and succulent, retaining all the juices and flavor. For those who prefer something other than beef, the menu also includes non-steak options like Roosevelt's roasted chicken (195 yuan) and brick oven roasted salmon steak (225 yuan). Except for the steaks, mains come accompanied with sides like seasonal vegetables or Yukon potatoes. Desserts are considered a steal at a standard 70 yuan, and a must-try is the warm center chocolate fondant cake with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis. The food is pricey but this is fine dining at its best, with an extensive wine list that includes powerhouses like Screaming Eagle, Napa 2002 (39,000 yuan). There's also a cigar bar, and the cheroots cost between 200 yuan to 1,500 yuan. Reservations are recommended for a night out at this restaurant which doubles as a Roosevelt museum, with the American president's "memorabilia" on display.
Opening hours: 5:30pm-11pm
Address: 160 Taiyuan Rd, Marshall Mansions
Tel: 6433-8240
Admittedly, it isn't particularly exciting but the houses of Spanish style with ornate gates and neat little gardens are certainly worth a look.
For instance, Taiyuan Quarter which was built in 1930 and underwent reconstruction in 1994 is the biggest garden housing estate of Spanish style in Shanghai.
With spring in bloom, the season is perfect for a leisurely stroll along Taiyuan Road and taking in the sights and sounds.
Serenity of Teashop
What you first notice about this small shop is that it's crammed with all things related to tea. One wall displays all the various teas; another has tea sets of all types and sizes. Despite the lack of space, there is still a sense of serenity upon entering the premises, perhaps as the enjoyment of tea has always been a quiet art. The one-year-old shop carries all the major Chinese teas like pu'er, tieguanyin and longjing, all available in different grades. Floral tea is also an option for those who prefer sweeter and lighter teas. There's a special set where eight types of floral teas have been packaged together, which is an economic way (80 yuan) of getting to sample the different styles. Also, check out the colorful boxes for keeping tea leaves in, a good buy for only 5 yuan. Take your time shopping for a particular tea that you like, especially when you get to sample the tea brewed by the shop attendant for free and without any obligations.
Taiyuan Villa's glory restored
Walk to No. 160 and catch a glimpse of Taiyuan Villa, one of the most magnificent villas in Shanghai. Run by the Ruijin Hotel, the 12,650-square-meter Taiyuan Villa is a tranquil retreat from the city's hustle and bustle, offering 23 individual rooms and 16 hotel-style apartments. It is also known as the Marshall House for American General George Marshall who stayed there between 1945 and 1949. The opulent mansion was built in the 1920s in a French Renaissance revival style. In 2007, it was restored to its original glory by a British architect. Anything not original has been removed, and all original details have been carefully restored.
Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum in stylish mansion
The Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum at the corner of Taiyuan and Fenyang roads is a three-story Renaissance-style mansion. Built in 1905, the house was originally created for the director of the then French Chamber of Industry in Shanghai. In 1954, it became the office of the Friendship Organization of China and the former Soviet Union, and in 1963 the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Research Institute moved in. The institute opened a museum in the house in 2001 to showcase traditional handicrafts and the work of skilled Shanghai craftsmen. As a museum, nearly all of the building is open to the public. The mansion's beauty and its interesting arts and crafts exhibits make it an essential place to visit along Taiyuan Road.
Roosevelt's hearty steaks
With a name like Roosevelt, it's not difficult to guess about the American roots of this steakhouse. Opened in 2007, the prime steakhouse has been winning over fans (mostly foreigners) with its signature prime steaks. Cooked in a customized stone oven, the steaks (300-1,250 yuan, depending on cut and grade) are thick and succulent, retaining all the juices and flavor. For those who prefer something other than beef, the menu also includes non-steak options like Roosevelt's roasted chicken (195 yuan) and brick oven roasted salmon steak (225 yuan). Except for the steaks, mains come accompanied with sides like seasonal vegetables or Yukon potatoes. Desserts are considered a steal at a standard 70 yuan, and a must-try is the warm center chocolate fondant cake with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis. The food is pricey but this is fine dining at its best, with an extensive wine list that includes powerhouses like Screaming Eagle, Napa 2002 (39,000 yuan). There's also a cigar bar, and the cheroots cost between 200 yuan to 1,500 yuan. Reservations are recommended for a night out at this restaurant which doubles as a Roosevelt museum, with the American president's "memorabilia" on display.
Opening hours: 5:30pm-11pm
Address: 160 Taiyuan Rd, Marshall Mansions
Tel: 6433-8240
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