In Shanghai’s restaurant scene white is in and Spago uses it well for its fashionable modern style right down to the crockery. This allows it to transform itself to hold guest art, photo and even fashion shows. It has already become a popular lunch spot with pasta, Western, pizza and Asian sets for RMB 19, 29 and 39. In the evening it moves towards the contemporary continental. A match for anything on the Bund but at a fraction of the cost, the food has a strong emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients including herbs. Grilled lamb chop with cous cous (Y75) came infused with rosemary and with grilled asparagus, eggplant, zucchini and mushroom. A main dining area along with more intimate alcove tables makes for a pleasant dining experience.

Unfortunately I don’t have an electronic version of this article.