Rating: ★★★★☆

Address: No. 3 The Bund, 4th Floor, 3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road (entrance on 17 Guang Dong Road), Shanghai, 200002 China 上海市黄浦区中山东一路3号4楼(近广东路)

Telephone: +86 21 6321 7733

https://www.jean-georges.com/restaurants/china/shanghai/jean-georges/

This is the second time I visit Jean Georges Shanghai, which is located in an illustrious building on The Bund and boasts a stunning river view. When I came here for the first time in August 2012, I immediately fell in love with the modern French cuisine touched with Asian elements – you can read my previous review here and I was very pleased with my meal!

I then visited Jean Georges in New York in 2013 – you can see my review here – and I had an even more fantastic time than I did at the Shanghai restaurant (as after all, the New York outlet has been awarded three Michelin stars)! Some bloggers or lifestyle journalists told me that they find themselves getting more picky as they blog or write about food over the years, and I hate to admit that this statement is somewhat true. When I recently visit Jean Georges Shanghai for a second time, while the food is still outstanding, I can’t help making comparisons in my head with the New York outlet!

We are presented with a selection of fine breads. The bread is fine and soft and the butter is sufficiently chilled.

(1) Last time when I was here, I was a tad hungover, but these partying days are almost behind me now and I come to the restaurant now completely refreshed and sobre. This means that we can enjoy a nice glass of Bund Bellini (RMB198), made of champagne, lychee and raspberry.

(2) The 3-course set lunch only increased in price marginally, and now costs RMB268 instead of RMB248 it costed 2 years ago. The first course to arrive is a foie gras brûlée with dried sour cherries and dried pistachios. This is a very exciting appetiser with a lot going on – the foie gras brûlée is creamy and packed with flavours, and the pistachios and sour flavours help break up the creaminess.

(3) The crispy crab cake with sugar snap pea remoulade is deliciously crispy and completely packed with tasty crab and sweet pea flavours.

(4) I had the sea scallops with caramelised cauliflower, capers and raisin emulsion last time I was here, and this dish is still as delicious and the scallops as tender as before!

(5) The red snapper crusted with nuts and sweets in a sweet and sour jus is served. The crust of the fish is delightfully crispy and the fish is tender and flaky. My dining companion and I both find the sweet and sour jus a tad too heavy though.

(6) A good looking Wagyu cheese burger with Russian dressing arrives, and the melting, gooey cheese makes it irresistible. The beef is pan-fried until crispy outside and rare in the middle, but the beef flavour is only average.

(7) The berries Sangria with lait foam and fromage blanc sorbet lifts our mood completely. The berry flavours hit us like a song, and the fromage blanc sorbet tastes impeccable.

(8) The orange rice pudding with peanut butter ice cream and popcorn is an explosion of deliciousness! The peanut butter ice cream-pop corn combination are like a foodie’s dream come true, and the orange flavour accentuates the entire dessert. Definitely a job well done!

The meal is nicely rounded off with my favourite latte, and some Jean Georges chocolate.

Our brunch at Jean Georges Shanghai is spectacular – we adore the fine, Asian-ized French cuisine, the grand, luxurious decor and the smooth, attentive service. The dishes’ flavours are generally stronger than at the New York outlet, perhaps as an attempt to suit local palates. I would definitely still recommend this restaurant, and I hope you will like it as much as I do!