EATING IN SHANGHAI - MASALA ART FOR INDIAN FOOD

Was in Shanghai last week and decided to go out for an Indian Meal. Shanghai has a number of Indian restaurants but most of them are not worth a visit. During my last visit in July , I had discovered an interesting Indian restaurant - 'DERA' located in North Xiangyang Road . The restaurant is on the first floor of the building and not visible to a passerby. It has a nice quite ambiance and the food is authentic Indian. The bar is well stocked with the regular whiskies and beer but has a very limited wine selection - also don't expect any exotic whiskies etc. The tandoori dishes are well cooked and food tasty. The service though needs improvement. The address :

Dera Restaurant

2nd Floor, 1 North Xiangyang Road (near Julu Road)

Shanghai

It was however on this visit that I discovered this nice restaurant serving Indian food - ' MASALA ART ' located on Yandang Road . This street has rows of restaurants on both sides of cuisines from around the world and you would probably find all the popular cuisines here. I noticed an Italian, Mexican and Thai food joint here. However back to Masala Art - Nice cosy place, good ambiance, well stocked bar (by Chinese standards) and authentic and tasty Indian food.

For starters, try the all time favourite - Chicken Tikkas washed down with beer - my favourite is Carona which goes well with Indian food. For the main course, don't forget the  tandoori dishes - you could try the most popular Indian dish - Tandoori Chicken - or you could try the tandoori pomfret if you are fond of fish. Like always, Dal Makhani and some fresh vegetables with paneer round up the meal very well. If you want a lighter meal, you could exchange the Dal Makhani for the lighter Dal Masala. The restaurant also has a wide variety of spicy masala dishes, both in vegetarian and non vegetarian. For the breads , order a bread basket which would have a mixture of naans, lachha parathas etc. Try all of them.

Waiting for the food 

The Location : 

PHONE:		6327 3571
ADDRESS:		397 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu
		大沽路397号， 近石门一路
AREA:		Jing'an
METRO:		20 mins. walk from Nanjing Rd (W)
HOURS:		Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10:30pm
CARDS:		Local and international cards accepted

PHONE:		6327 3571
ADDRESS:		397 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu
		大沽路397号， 近石门一路
AREA:		Jing'an
METRO:		20 mins. walk from Nanjing Rd (W)
HOURS:		Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10:30pm
CARDS:		Local and international cards accepted

If you are the health conscious type and love walking, the place is a close 20 minutes walk from Nanjing Street ( West). I would however recommend a cab which does not take more than 15 minutes from Nanjing Street.



Shanghai and it's buildings

Shanghai is a city of contradictions. You will see the ultra modern Shanghai with building reaching into the sky , the tops of which disappears into the clouds  on a cloudy day

This office building is located in the commercial section of Shanghai. Building vie with each other in height and the skyline of city is a series of tall skyscrapers.

These modern buildings are hotels overlooking the central square on Nanjing Street.

Spires and Domes are a favourite in this part of Central Shanghai

By Night

Another view at Night

The tallest building in Shanghai, this one houses the Hyatt Hotel from the 85th Floor onwards. Taken on a cloudy night, note that the top of the building disappears into the clouds.

An Evening in Shanghai

Was in China recently on a business visit and spent a few days in Shanghai. Took the daytime Air India flight to Shanghai - a very comfortable 6 hours - arriving at 8 PM. If you are in Shanghai, the place to stay in is around Nanjing Street - the all pedestrian street with great shopping  dining and night life. 

A rain soaked morning at Nanjing Street 

The street is a beehive of activity at all times and even rain is not a deterrent. The action starts early morning when the central square on the street comes to life with live perfomances of aerobics, musical concerts and much more.

 Tourists enjoying a toy train ride

Nanjing Street is probably the most action packed street in Shanghai and comes truly to life in the evenings when hordes descend for a few hours of shopping and entertainment. Being an all pedestrian street, it is a pleasure to move around in this area and if you are shopaholic, this is the place to be in.

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 Nanjing Street is a riot of lights as night sets in. Whereas the place is bustling with activity and people, it can get a bit tiresome with the crowds all around . Shopping , though can be great and you could land up with some fantastic bargains.

If you are visiting Shanghai, I strongly recommend you stay in this area. Amongst hotels, my recommendation - Central Hotel at Jiujiang Road. Fantastic location, great large sized rooms with a seperate living room, well priced - rates from $180 upwards and if you are lucky you could get a room with a view of the central square where action starts early morning.