Openings

What to Eat at Shanghai, the Third Chinese Incarnation at the Former Mecca, Opening Wednesday

The former Mecca, in its day. The exterior looks largely the same today.
The former Mecca, in its day. The exterior looks largely the same today. Photo: Jonas T./Yelp

He tried it with Pudong — which was billed as a Shanghaiese restaurant when it opened in the former Mecca in late 2010. And he tried again with Gingerfruit, without giving the place much of a makeover. Now, owner and longtime local restaurateur Francis Tsai (of Wu Kong fame), has given the place a more thorough renovation, and is reopening tomorrow as Shanghai with former Shanghai 1930 chef Leo Gan. The pair say they’ll be serving authentic Shanghai cuisine this time, which includes things like stir-fried jellyfish, “chicken flambé,” and “glutinous” rice dumplings stuffed with pork belly.

Eater has the whole menu here, and the price point seems pretty reasonable, with dishes ranging between $6 and $32, and there’s an optional $70 prix fixe for two featuring four courses. Also, expect dim sum brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Also, Tsai and his wife have retooled the layout of the restaurant, jettisoning part of the large central bar and keeping only room for fourteen.

They plan to be open until 11:45 p.m. serving a limited menu in the later hours, and we’re curious to see if the neighborhood takes to the new incarnation more than they did to the previous two.

Shanghai - 2029 Market Street - Opening Wednesday, August 22

Menu Reveals: The Menus For Shanghai, Opening Tomorrow On Market [Eater]
Earlier: Shanghai to Open in Former Mecca Space in Mid-August
Pudong to Become Gingerfruit, Remain Under Same Owners

What to Eat at Shanghai, the Third Chinese Incarnation at the Former Mecca,