CITTA

Popular Italian café and bistro comes up trumps with a super-thick, tasty hot chocolate for ¥30. Best drunk on an empty stomach. Prepare for a sugar rush.

835 Huaihai Lu, near Maoming Lu, 5466 1765
淮海路835号, 近茂名路

KAKAW

Kakaw’s gorgeous offering is a mix of three Belgian chocolates. At ¥21, it’s one of the city’s best deals. Closed on Sundays.

1/F, Ciro’s Plaza, 388 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Lu, 2635 1681
南京西路388号，近黄陂路

CANTINA AGAVE

Cantina isn’t all about tacos and tequila. Give your tastebuds a surprise with their signature chilli hot chocolate (¥25).

A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu, 6170 1310
富民路291号, 近长乐路

CHARMANT

Charmant’s ¥35 hot chocolate is not the kind you drink – it’s the kind you eat. With the consistency of cake batter, it’s a meal in itself. Homemade marshmallows add to the sugar-fest.

1414 Huaihai Lu, near Fuxing Lu, 6431 8107
淮海路1414号，近复兴路

KOMMUNE

The ho-cho at this popular Taikang Lu café comes in a giant bowl. It’s pricier than most at ¥40, but it’s also one of the biggest.

Tianzifang, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, 6466 2416
田子坊泰康路210弄, 近思南路

WHISK

The egg-shaped mugs in which Whisk serve their ¥30 hot chocolate don’t have handles, meaning that you have to wrap your hands around them. For ¥5, they add a skewer of marshmallows. Closed on Mondays.

1250 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huating Lu, 5404 7770
淮海中路1250号，近华亭路

JADE on 36

With this one, you’re paying for the view more than the hot chocolate. ¥60 gets you a tasty dose of cocoa and a city panorama from 36 floors up.

36/F, Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fucheng Lu, near Lujiazui Xi Lu, 6882 3636 富城路33号浦东香格里拉大酒店2座36楼, 近陆家嘴西路

BOONNA

There’s only one Boonna left, and their ¥30 hot chocolate is still a winner. Served in a sturdy glass cup with a squirt of whipped cream, it’s deliciously thick and grainy.

1690 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Hunan Lu, 6433 0835
淮海中路1690号, 近湖南路

1. The Grumpy Pig

Gary Wang has overhauled KIN Cafe and transformed it into a chilled-out venue serving pork-based snacks with a side of hip hop.

2. The Sailor's Fish and Chips

If you're craving the flavor of traditional Australian fish and chips, give this new chip shop on Yongkang Lu a go.

3. Le Sheng

Is there anything Laris can't do? Le Sheng is his foray into Shanghainese food, and he's done a great job.

4. Bikini

That storefront on Yongfu Lu below El Coctel? It's now a snack bar specializing in hot dogs and Spanish tapas from El Willy.

5. Bounty X

If you still haven't tried the Rhumerie Bounty's foray into bistro fare, give it a go this month.

The COOK's Turkey Hamper
Order a gourmet turkey to take home from Kerry Pudong's The COOK. Choose a small, medium or large turkey and it get sides like Chestnut, Liver & Raisin Stuffing, Giblet & Cranberry Sauce, Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes, a whole Pumpkin Pie, plus other Christmas desserts. Pick up your order at The COOK Deli Bar after three days, or they can deliver it to you. Bookings start now, pick-up starts November 14th. Prices start at 1,280 RMB.

Taco Mama’s Mexican Thanksgiving
Go south of the border this Thanksgiving with burritos stuffed with roast turkey, stuffing, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes and gravy with cranberry salsa, all for the bargain price of 69 RMB. Feeling flush? Add a Waldorf salad and pumpkin pie for an extra 30 kuai. If you really want to push the boat out, tag on some wine from EMW. 

Turkey-to-go @ Dakota
As well as their eat-in Thanksgiving menu, Dakota are offering the chance to enjoy their festive fare in the comfort of your own home. Get a whole turkey plus three sides, stuffing, gravy, corn bread and cranberry sauce for 1,280 RMB. Reserve three days prior to pick up date, and get a 200 kuai discount if you order before Friday November 18.

Turkey to Go @ Party On
Catering firm Part On has a wide array of festive fare this year, catering for small dinners right through to big parties. Email small family dinner or a big office party. Choose from whole herb-roasted turkeys with cranberry sauce and homemade gravy, maple glazed ham, chestnut stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Email partyonshanghai@gmail.com for details.

Thanksgiving Takeaway @ Boxing Cat Brewery
The two downtown Boxing Cats are offering three packages this year. Pay 688 RMB for a holiday ham with spiked pineapple chutney, 1,088 RMB for a 7-8kg butter roasted turkey with cider gravy and cranberry apple relish, or 1,288 RMB for a butter roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, chestnut, sausage, cinnamon apple stuffing,cider gravy and cranberry apple relish. Reserve by November 20th. Call 6431 2091 for the Yongfu branch, 6426 0360 for the Sinan Mansions.

Turkeys @ St. Regis
Hotel chef Jens Heier will be cooking up fresh turkeys (238 RMB per kg) and glazed bone am (208 RMB per kg), with Boston cream, blueberry, pumpkin and apple pies to round off your festive feast. 

Dinner sets delivered @ FIELDS
This popular organic delivery service is offering deep-fried Norbest turkey, country-style stuffing, glazed carrots, pumpkin soup, homestyle gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie in a set that serves 10-12 (1,800 RMB). Add a honey roasted ham for 2,900 RMB to serve around 15 people. On your lonesome this year? Chicken dinners are also available.

SH: Are you looking forward to playing in Shanghai?

TP: Yes! I'm really looking forward to it. I first came to Bar Rouge five years ago. It was really cool - there was sand on the floor for a beach party! China always surprises me.

SH: It's always good to have more electronic music in Shanghai. What sort of sound will you be bringing?

TP: I'm really happy to be able to share my music with the Shanghai crowd, as do all over the world - Russia, the Ukraine, Canada, Germany... I'll be playing progressive and pumping house, and some tech house. I'll also be debuting my most recent composition, Love is a Groove. It will really get people in the mood.

SH:. How has 2011 been for you so far? What are your plans for 2012?

TP: I had a bad motorbike accident so stopped working for a few months,
but after having almost died, I feel as if I've been given a new life in the music world. This year I released a mix CD recorded live in Kazantip, which I'm bringing to Shanghai as presents for Chinese clubbers. For 2012, I'm planning a new artistic direction for my label Moovment with my partner (whom you might know better under as DJ Philippe Ortega, the first resident DJ of Bar Rouge.

SH: You're French, and Shanghai has a lot of French residents. Do you have a special message for them?

TP: I'm on my way, so let's organise a very good party! No, just kidding. I'd like to convey the message that work and perseverance is the only way to be successful. Then luck will be on your side.

SH: What inspires you as a DJ?

TP: I want to make people feel good. Life is hard sometimes, and we have to work to "stay alive". There's music out there that you hear every day on the radio, such as David Guetta's stuff, which is great, but people need to hear something a bit different. I want to give people a break from their daily life. 

Catch DJ Tom Pooks at Bar Rouge on Saturday 12th November.

Whether you’re queer, curious or straight down the line, join Shanghai’s out-and-proud community at this year’s ShanghaiPRIDE. The event runs from October 22nd to 29th and venues around town, and involves parties, cultural happenings, sport and community stuff. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening. Most of the details are being kept under wraps until the last minute, in case the authorities get snippy. More info will be released on shanghaipride.com in the days running up to each event.

Saturday 22nd October @ 11am - 2pm: Pink Picnic
Saturday 22nd October @ 9pm - 2am: Pride Opening Party
Sunday 23rd October @ 12pm - 4pm: Sports Day
Monday 24th - Thursday 27th @ 7pm - 11pm: Film Screening
Monday 24th - Fri 28th @ 7pm - 11pm: Art Exhibition
Wedneday 26th October @ 7pm - 12am: Mid-week Party
Thursday 27th October @ 8pm - 12am: Ladies’ Pool Competition
Saturday 29th October @ 2pm - 4pm: Comrades in Marriage Talk
Saturday 29th October @ 8pm - 12am: Halloween Pub Crawl
Saturday 29th October @ 9pm - 4am: Pride Closing Party

Enjoy!
 

1. TECHNOW - The Austro-German Techno crew MUSHIDO returns with a special Halloween edition of their increasingly popular TECHNOW event. Entry is 100 RMB at the door, with 2 free drinks. Presale is 80 RMB with a limited edition Technow gift package with Alpha mix CD, and 2 free drinks

(MAO Livehouse, October 28th @ 10pm)

2. The Haunted Terminals - Shanghai's only airplane-themed bar takes off with some scary fun. Entry is 50RMB  for ladies + 1 drink, and 100RMB for guys + 1 drink. Prizes for the best dressed.

(D10 Departure Lounge, October 28th @ 10am)

3. CarnEVIL - Barbarossa turns spooky with a special Halloween party. Expect welcome shots, face painting and more, with no cover charge.

(Barbarossa, October 29th @ 9pm)

4. Not-So-Scary - I Love Shanghai is throwing a costume party for Halloween, with prizes for the best outfits. Pay 100RMB for open bar from 8pm-midnight, or 150 RMB until 2am.

(I Love Shanghai, October 29th @ 8pm)

5. Halloween Anniversary Party - Head over to the Cat in Sinan Mansions to help them celebrate their first anniversary. 150 RMB gets you free flow on microbrewed beers, red and white wines, and six special Smirnoff Halloween themed cocktails until 11pm.

(Boxing Cat, October 29th @ 7pm)

6. Thriller - Scare yourself silly at The BREW, with great deals on microbrews plus prizes to be won. 

(The BREW, October 29th @ 8pm)

7. Halloween Party - Windows Too is offering giveaways and drinks specials to augur in another Eve of All Hallows.

(Windows Too, October 29th @ 8pm)

8. Halloween Rock Tribute - Yuyintang pays homage to rock this Halloween, with tributes from local bands The Fever Machine, Friend or Foe, X is Y, Moon Tyrant, Rainbow Danger Club and Boys Climbing Ropes, Fire in the Hole! and Les Semi-Croustillants. Entry is 40 RMB at the door.

(Yuyintang, October 29th @ 9pm)

9. Psyloween - The Shelter turns psychedelic with Magic Garden and electronic DJs Gotama, Pete, Solaris and Kodama spinning transcendental tunes. Entry 40 RMB.

(The Shelter, October 29th @ 10pm)

10. Born to be Alive - There's always one venue that throws an "anti-Halloween" party, and this year it's Cube. If you don't like ghouls, this is the event for you.

(Cube, October 29th @ 7pm)

and one more that looks like fun...

11. The Fat Lebowski - The Fat Olive is holding a Halloween party like no other, with bowling, Xbox, and crazy snacks all night.

(Fat Olive, 28th October @ 9pm)

Oktoberfest @ Big Bamboo

Hongmei Lu’s top sports bar is throwing a three-week Oktoberfest starting on September 17th at 5pm with the ceremonial opening of a wooden keg of Radeberger beer. Thereafter, the fun will continue at all three Big Bamboo branches with Teutonic delicacies like Weinerschnitzel with potato salad, Kohlroulade, braised lamb shank with potato rosti, washed down with German Pilsners and hefeweizen beers. Try seven types of beer for 300 RMB.

Oktoberfest @ Paulaner

Head over to Paulaner’s Fenyang Lu branch between October 14th and 20th for their annual Oktoberfest Beer and traditional Bavarian dinner. Get a three-course set menu and all-you-can-drink Paulaner beer until midnight for 328 RMB per person if you’re a party of six, but remember to book 24 hours in advance. If you can’t muster a group, there’s an à la carte menu too.

Oktoberfest @ The Renaissance Yangtze Hotel

The Renaissance in Hongqiao is putting up a giant tent for 1,400 guests and decking it out in traditional Bavarian style for the 14th Shanghai Oktoberfest. The event runs September 14th until September 24th, and 288 RMB gets you the full shebang on weekdays. Tickets are 368 on weekends, and Sunday and Monday are Ladies’ Nights. Get your beer and snacks between 6pm and 10pm.

1. Retro Bike from Scooteretta

Help your dad get around town in style with a retro-styled electric bike from Scooteretta. They come in a variety of father-friendly colors, and the Scooteretta website also sells helmets, locks and other accessories. You're looking at around 3,500 RMB for the basic model.

www.scooteretta.com

2. iPad 2

Even the most cantankerous of technophobe dads will fall in love with this slinkiest of tablet PCs. With a variety of "smart covers" to choose from, and some of the snappiest apps on the planet, what's not to love? The iPad 2 starts at 3,998 RMB.

www.apple.cn

3. A Tailored Suit

Treat your dad to some new threads down at the Fabric Market. Suits start at as little as 500 RMB, but decent quality costs more. For a personal touch, get the tailor to embroider your dad's initials on the inside pocket of the jacket.

South Bund Fabric Market, 399 Lujiabang Lu, near Nancang Jie

4. Shanghai Sideways Sidecar Tour

Whisk Pops off on a whistlestop sidecar tour of the city with Shanghai Sideways. Pick your own route, or let the bikers decide. One way or the other, it promises to be a ride he won't forget.

www.shanghaisideways.com

5. A Gibson Guitar

If you have a closet strummer in the family, make his dreams come true with a real-life electric guitar from the Gibson flagship store. Depending on how flush you're feeling, you can get an entry-level Kramer for around 1,000 RMB, or a Les Paul 1957 reissue for 50,000.

10 Hengshan Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu

SH: What inspires you to travel?
DN: It's difficult to answer that question without reeling off a pretentious-sounding list of phrases that look like they've been copied straight off the spines of my local book shop's self-help section, but I really do think that travel is a great means to "Expand The Mind", "Aquire New Skills", "Learn About Other Cultures" and "Develop As An Individual". These may sound like rather lofty goals, but they really are what I try to do when I travel and when I create China experiences for our guests at Newman Tours.

SH: What are some of your favourite destinations?
DN: One of my favourite destinations in China is a small Buddhist Temple hidden away in the Cangshan mountains of Yunnan. It's called Wuwei Temple, and the abbot who runs it is a student from Shaolin who teaches local orphans Chinese martial arts. I love going to Wuwei Temple because you not only get to learn some amazing kung fu, but also get to experience traditional temple life, and spend time with the friendly abbot.

SH: Most valued travel tips?
DN: I think that learning a bit of the local language is one of the best ways to get the most out of any trip overseas. Even if you just read the relevant phrases in the back of your guidebook it will open lots of new doors in terms of culture, knowledge and opportunities. But perhaps most importantly of all, make sure you always carry a spare roll of toilet paper.

SH: What do you miss about Shanghai while you are away?
DN: Very little! Shanghai is an amazing city full of energy, excitement, great museums, architecture and fascinating history, but it is also very competitive place, so it's great to have the chance to escape the rat race once in a while. That's why Newman Tours also offers tourists and expats alike the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of Shanghai for the day and enjoy the comparative repose of an excursion to Hangzhou, Suzhou or Zhujiajiao.

SH: Which aspect of traveling do you find the most difficult to do?
DN: I sometimes find it hard to be there in the moment and enjoy the experience without thinking about things left unresolved back home or the things I want to do when I get back to reality. I guess that's another reason that I like visiting temples that teach Chinese martial arts because whilst you're training, you feel like you're very much there in the moment.

SH: How do you maintain health and fitness when you are away?
DN: The temples and schools that I go to make you spend at least four hours a day practicing martial arts. So the problem is actually maintaining my health when I get back to Shanghai. Here I obviously do a lot of walking leading things like French Concession Tours and Ghost Tours, but I also spend a lot of time in front of the computer, so I try to make it to the local gym and do a yoga class when I get the chance.

SH: What can’t you leave home without?
DN: I guess it's indicative of my inability to completely leave my world back home behind me, but these days I can't go anywhere without my iPhone. I know that's rather sad, but having that equally cursed and beloved tool enables me to capture memorable moments from my trips, record key pieces of information with which to turn the best bits into future tours, and stay in touch with people all over the world. Actually, right now I am in Anhui leading a tour of the majestic Yellow Mountains and am writing this on my iPhone.

SH: What is your most treasured possession you have picked up while traveling?
DN: That would have to be a Taoist duster that I picked up in Wudang Mountains. I know it sounds strange that my most prized travel trophy is a duster, but in Wudang these dusters also serve as religious implements and martial weapons.

SH: What has been your most memorable holiday?
DN: I was working as a teacher in Georgia shortly after the end of their civil war in 2000. That doesn't sound like much of a holiday, but what really made those four months so incredibly memorable was the warmth and hospitality of the local people. Having just been through a war, lots of people there had very little, yet I was constantly invited to wonderful feasts and weddings, and treated like a guest of honour, being forced to down huge quantities of red Georgian wine from enormous ram horns.

SH: What is the best restaurant, café, bar that you have visited while traveling?
DN: I remember an absolutely amazing Indonesian restaurant in the middle of a small town on Hainan. In retrospect the food there probably wasn't that amazing, but in comparison to everything else we'd eaten in Hainan, it really was ambrosia. They had delicious curries, rice that you could scrape out of fresh pineapples and delicious lassi-like coconut milkshakes that they made right in front of you. It was so good that we stayed in the town for an extra couple of days just so we could bask in the heaven of that food and those milkshakes.

SH: What are the top holiday destinations that you are yet to visit?
DN: I am yet to visit several "epic" countries like Egypt, Brazil, Peru and Russia. I'd also put Italy, Greece and China on my list, even though I’ve already spent quite a bit of time in each. I prefer non-English speaking countries because, although I'm far from good at learning languages, I enjoy trying to chat to the locals.

SH: What inspires you to travel?
TC: I’m mostly inspired by the books I read, the people I meet, the articles I read, and the idea of picking up challenges.

SH: What are some of your favourite destinations?
TC: In China, Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang Provinces are amazing, and still mainly tourist-free, as is northern Yunnan. Jiangsu has the best road network in China if you're a motorbike fan. As for overseas destinations, you really can’t beat France, Bali and Japan.

SH: Most valued travel tips?
TC: Travel light, as you can find everything everywhere these days. Don't plan too much, as the unexpected will create the adventures.

SH: What do you miss about Shanghai while you are away?
TC: The 11th floor terrace bar at The Peninsula hotel, El Willy, and the Cold Stone shop in Xintiandi.

SH: Which aspect of traveling do you find the most difficult to do?
TC: Crossing borders is always a hassle. I don't know why, but those guys always manage to make you feel guilty. Communicating with locals can be difficult too, but it's all part of the fun.

SH: How do you maintain health and fitness when you are away?
TC: I usually travel to remote parts of countries so food is healthy anyway, and my trips are usually quite physical.

SH: What can’t you leave home without?
TC: My iPod, my sunglasses, a few books and my toothbrush.

SH: What is your most treasured possession you have picked up while traveling?
TC: Great friendships.

SH: What has been your most memorable holiday?
TC: Backpacking through Central America was pretty special. The trip I am doing right now is shaping up to be unforgettable too. We’re riding three sidecar motorbikes from Shanghai to Paris, and we’re currently at Kazakhstan's Aral Sea. Our trip can be followed at www.projectsidebyside.com

SH: What is the best restaurant, café, or bar that you have visited while traveling?
TC: Kudeta in Bali was a striking experience even though it’s quite expensive. The Galle Face hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is superb. It used to be a palace built by an Indian maharajah whose daughter in got married in Colombo. The maharajah couldn't find a place that was up to his standards for the celebration, so he built one! As for bars, I love the Felix Bar in Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel (try out the men's rooms!) and a nameless street-side dumpling restaurant in Shanghai's Old City.

SH: What are the top holiday destinations that you are yet to visit?
TC: All the countries I haven't yet been to!

SH: Who is your favourite traveling companion?
TC: The most beautiful woman in the world: Valeriane

SH: What is your ideal holiday?
TC: A mix of rough, off-the-beaten-tracks travel and laid back, comfy stops, meeting new people and discovering non-touristic places.