An addition to the multi-branch Lapis chain that spans the Shanghai restaurant map from the former French Concession to Thumb Plaza in Pudong, this lounge and restaurant adds a new string to the Lapis bow. Romantic lighting, light wood decor, southeast Asian accents, and a menu of pricey Thai food that just manages to stay ahead of the mid-range competition at Chiang Mai and Simply Thai. 

If you can judge a Thai restaurant by its Pad Thai, Lapis passes the test. Theirs comes in a parcel of thin omelette, with beansprouts, peanut shavings and chilli on the side. With plenty of prawns, supple noodles, and all the right spices, it's certainly well-executed, and tasty too. Another good test is the green chicken curry, which was slightly less flavorful than expected, with very little in there aside from the chicken and a couple of slices of eggplant. The pomelo salad was a hit, as was the seared beef with chilli.

You have to be rich to live in the Shanghai Centre, and Lapis knows this, if the prices are anything to go by. We don't begrudge paying over the odds for food - it's kind of what the restaurant industry is all about. But 48 RMB for a soft drink? What's that - like, a 100% markup? And 58 RMB for a fruit juice. No fair, Lapis. 

This one will appeal to visitors, mainly. And business customers. For everyone else, the Hunan Lu and Taikang Lu branches are just as good.

More Thai food in Shanghai