For designers Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, the task of renovating Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Shanghai outpost is a full circle moment, having worked on the original interiors in 2004. For habitués of the restaurant, the spruce up is a fairly dramatic transformation.
The former studied, clubby interiors are now awash with light, courtesy of antique mirrored walls that add not just views of Shanghai’s Blade Runner-esque skyline and the art deco stretch of the Bund, but also discreet reflections of the other diners. Original details such as plaster mouldings and the foyer’s classical columns are gently offset by brass piping and pale smoked glass.
The kitchen remains at the top of its game under the watchful eye of chef de cuisine Nikolai Grigorov – Vongerichten’s trusty lieutenant clearly still having a lot of fun with the mod French menu that includes seasonal treats like lobster tartine in lemongrass broth, and a corn pancake with foie gras.
