Calling all gluttons! When it comes to chowing down, Shanghai's restaurants know how to put on a buffet. Weekend brunches (mostly held in the big hotels Sun 11am-2:30pm) are not necessarily cheap (and a 15% gratuity is added to your tab), but they are sumptuous events and extremely popular among expatriates and Shanghai residents alike. Here's a sampling of the best hotel brunches:
The Regent Sunday Brunch at the Regent Shanghai (Yan'an Xi Lu 1116; tel. 021/6115-9737) sets the standard high with the most extensive international brunch in town. Two of its regular restaurants and five open kitchens serve up a feast from around the world. There are also pizza-making sessions and a conjuring magician to amuse the kids. Prices range from ¥128 to ¥298 ($16-$38). Cafe Studio in the Four Seasons (Weihai Lu 500; tel. 021/6256-8888) is another popular choice with its full international spread of Boston lobsters, Chinese dim sum, a sushi and sashimi counter, carved meats, sumptuous desserts, and more, with as much Moet & Chandon as you want for ¥398 ($50). The Marriott Cafe at the JW Marriott (Nanjing Xi Lu 399; tel. 021/5359-4969, ext. 6422) outdoes the competition with its 360 degree bubbly brunch: a feast of sushi, oysters, lobsters, and free-flowing champagne (¥418/$52) against a backdrop of stunning city views and live jazz. The Stage in the Westin Hotel (Henan Zhong Lu 88; tel. 021/6335-1888) has garnered raves for its kids' corner; parents can now feast the afternoon away (¥378/$47 with free-flowing champagne) while their children play under supervision.
Outside the hotels, M on the Bund offers the best views to go with your Bloody Mary's and eggs Benedict; Baci at Park 97 has a kids' brunch menu and the whole park outside for the little tykes to roam; and Mesa offers the best healthy brunch around.
