HONGQIAO in Minhang District is a well-known residential magnet for foreigners and its famous and lively Hongmei Pedestrian Street is now officially called Foreigners Street 101.

But as more expat families settle in, the area around Hongmei Road close to Chengjiaqiao Road, is also developing and expected to boom. This week we explore what's in store for visitors. It's very family-friendly.

Wandering along the road, one finds examples of a range of cultures. There are restaurants, delis, bakeries, bars, a new Montessori Infant's Community and Children's Technology Workshop. Unique stores feature interesting fashion and home decor, children's clothing, toys and intelligence games.


Hinata Ya - Bread-lovers Bonanza

This Japanese bakery on Chengjiaqiao Road is paradise for bread lovers in a rustic, European-style cottage atmosphere. The cozy spot opened around one month ago and is a magnet for residents and visitors who smell fresh bread right out of the stove. All breads are baked in the morning, some using the owner's recipes from her hometown in Japan. In addition to bakery basics, it offers Japanese-flavored breads, such as mentaiko bread (9 yuan/US$1.3), pork sandwich with mashed potatoes (12 yuan), fried ham sandwich (12 yuan), sweet bean whipped cream bread (9 yuan) and cinnamon rolls (9 yuan). The teddy-bear shaped chocolate bread (8 yuan) are always kids' favorite.

Opening hours: 10am-8pm, closed on Wednesdays

Address: 3212 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 3409-8500


D.I.S - European sizes

Dutch Items Shanghai (D.I.S) - with a very loyal expatriate following - offers stylish clothes in larger, European sizes. Dutch fashion designer Jolie van Beek found it difficult to find clothes in European sizes in Shanghai and opened the first D.I.S shop in 2006 in Ferguson Lane on Wukang Road. The Hongmei Road outlet is her fourth in the city. It offers fashionable, high-quality and comfortable fashion specifically designed for Western sizes and fit. Clothes are European sizes 34 to 46; shoes from 36 to 42. It also offers clothing from Dutch labels such as The Barn, Stills, Maluo and Ruby Brown.

Opening hours: 10am-6pm

Address: Rm B, 1/F, Bldg 201, Saint Laurent Bldg, 3215 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 6406-3661


Green Apple - Great for Kids

This reasonably priced Italian restaurant is very family-friendly and the atmosphere is casual and fun. The two-floor establishment has a large outdoor playground, a kids' menu and a welcoming attitude. It offers a selection of seven kids platters (55-70 yuan). It's 50 yuan for a choice of spaghetti with tomato sauce or hamburger, plus French fries, dessert, orange juice and a toy. From Monday through Friday, one dish plus free flow draft beer for two hours is 98 yuan - for those who want to relax after a long day. The space is open for corporate events and buffet parties for as many as 250 guests, with a minimum charge of around 150 per person.

Opening hours: 10am-11pm (weekdays); 9am-11pm (weekends)

Address: 201, Lane 3215 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 6406-6567


Thierry Traiteur - French Deli

Cheese raclette, home-made pates, sausage and fresh-baked baguettes are just some of the French gastronomic pleasures at this just-opened delicatessen. It's one of the few places in town offering a fine and wide selection of French pates, cheeses, meats, ready-made dishes and a range of delicacies imported from France or made on the premises. After running French bistro Le Bouchon on Wuding Road for 14 years, the owner decided on a French delicatessen combining a fromagerie, boulangerie and charcuterie. Displayed under glass include countryside pate (400 yuan/1kg), rabbit pate (290 yuan/1kg), foie gras confit (150 yuan/100g) and potato cheese (26 yuan). There's also home-made French ham on the bone, smoked bacon, Australian Angus beef, sirloin, and traditional French sausage. Light dishes can be eaten at cafe-style tables. Fresh French oysters can also be ordered in advance with a minimum order of 21 pieces.

Opening hours: 10:30am-7:30pm

Address: Rm G, 1/F, 3213 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 6167-9503


Montessori for Infants

The recently opened Montessori Infant Community gives babies and toddlers - three months to three years old - a head start in a living room-style atmosphere. There's plenty of space to crawl and comfortable tutoring space. On the wooden tables and low cabinets are infant tools and intelligence toys, with potted flowers about. The sandalwood furniture, cotton decorations and the creamy walls are inviting. The center provides tutoring programs for different age groups. Nidos (aged three months to 18 months) are helped to crawl, sit, stand and walk, improving their motor skills, balance and sensory experience. The infant community (18 months to three years old) learns music, art and language to develop early communication skills and hand-eye coordination. The center offers baby-care programs for young parents and staff can make home visits.

Nido programs (1.5 hours) cost 2,500 to 3,800 yuan a month for three to five times every week. Infant care programs (2.5 hours) cost 3,500 yuan every month, five times a week.

Opening hours:

1pm-4pm (Monday to Friday, Nido programs); 9am-11:30am (Monday to Friday, IC programs)

Address: 4/F, 3211 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 3425-06943


Children's Technology Workshop

This is a place for after-school and weekend fun and brainstorming for children aged two to 14. Kids can cultivate their creativity and discover their potential in designing, technology, architecture, computer science and robotics. The center provides a variety of hands-on activities, enabling children learn while playing with LEGO, creative scientific tools and using innovative computer software. Group activities offer a chance for youngsters to learn about team spirit and make friends. It's open for birthday parties in a carnival atmosphere. Teachers are professionally trained and teach in both Chinese and English. Each program costs 2,250 yuan for 10 classes, 1,750 yuan for members. Birthday party (two hours) 3,500 yuan.

Opening hours: 9:30am-6:30pm (Monday to Friday); 9am-6pm (on weekends)

Address: Rm 504, 5/F, 3211 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 6446-6766


Shokudo - Family Fare

Japan is famous for sushi and noodles but Hongmei Shokudo is a place to enjoy a wide variety of hearty, family recipes - Japanese comfort food. The casual, family-style eatery serves traditional fare including fried food, grilled fish, rice and noodles, and side dishes. Even hamburgers are prepared Japanese style. No sushi or izakaya-style dishes, just home-style food. The kitchen serves many specials such as fried pork steak (18 yuan), meat balls (15 yuan), beef hamburger (21 yuan) and pork bones ramen (20 yuan). It offers special rice (8 yuan) that is difficult to find in the market. Home-style meals are priced at less than 50 yuan. According to the manager of the restaurant, their staff need to take a training course in Japan in order to provide truly Japanese style food here. With a welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere, the eatery can accommodate 60 people.

Opening hours: 10am-12pm

Address: Unit 1B-3, 3211 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 6401-0015