For our recent food issue, we asked Bruno Bruesch, the new executive chef at the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, about his favorite places and things to do around town. Bruno has come back to Shanghai for a second round, this time to lead the culinary team at Grand Kempinski and to oversee the operation of the hotel’s six dining outlets and lounges. Prior to his current appointment, Bruno cooked at the Marco Polo Hotel, Changzhou, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on the Bund, plus various assignments in Europe, Hong Kong and the United States.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR…
BREAKFAST
I like Mr. Pancake House (several locations around town) and O-delice at Xinle Lu by Donghu Lu. Both are inexpensive options if you feel like having a more Western breakfast.
LUNCH
I’m a sucker for good dumplings so I usually head for Din Tai Fung to get my fix.
DINNER
I go to Franck for some simple bistro fare with high quality ingredients cooked to perfection. A good hotpot is a nice option for a night out with friends to drink and relax.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR CULTURE
I haven’t had much time to explore Shanghai yet but I’d like to visit the temples around town and some of the museums once I get settled again. This is my second time working in shanghai.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR COFFEE
I love the pastries and coffee at Farine Bakery – it almost feels like home, sitting outside in the street sipping on piping hot chocolate and coffee while enjoying the wonderful pastries.
FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX
At home is where I can wind down and relax. Everyone needs to have their own space where they feel comfortable after a hard day of work.
FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL
I haven’t had time to travel in China, so I would like to go to Chengdu and get to know the culture there and to enjoy the local cuisine.
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO WITH FRIENDS
I just like to enjoy a nice relaxed dinner with a bottle of wine and friends. It could be any place as long as we’re having fun. We might end up at a karaoke place; my friends love it and we have fun together, although I’m not much of a singer.
FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FOOD
For groceries from Europe I like to go to Times Square Plaza. At the C!ty’super in the basement I can find all the things I miss from home to indulge in from time to time.
FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITY
I’m more of an indoors guy as the summer here gets very hot, particularly this year. I play badminton and squash, which are some of my favorite sports to play with friends and colleagues.
FAVORITE AREA OF SHANGHAI
I like to take a stroll around the French Concession area with its narrow alleys and pop in for a coffee or snack at the many restaurants there.
FAVORITE INGREDIENT FROM CHINA
Sichuan pepper and XO sauce because of their very distinct aromatic flavor. I love to use them when I cook and have been doing so for more than 20 years in my Western-style cooking.
FAVORITE CHILD-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
I would say our hotel because we have a nice area for kids where they can play and watch movies.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BARGAIN
Especially for tourists, Yu Garden is exciting. There, you will find all the small knick-knacks to send to your family abroad as well as some traditional Shanghainese food stalls and restaurants.
FAVORITE INDOOR SPOT
IAPM mall has plenty of interesting restaurants and a good selection of shops. There is also a nice cinema for the days when the weather is not playing its part.
FAVORITE TOURIST SPOT IN SHANGHAI
Lujiazui for skyscrapers and endless shopping. Yu Garden for more traditional goods and Shanghainese fare.
O-delice 208 Xinle Lu, by Donghu Lu 新乐路208号, 近东湖路 (3461 5657)
Franck Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, by Tai’an Lu 武康路376号, 近泰安路 (6437 6465)
Farine Bakery Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, by Tai’an Lu 武康路376号, 近泰安路
C!ty’super Times Square, 99 Huaihai Zhong Lu, by Pu’an Lu淮海中路99号, 近普安路 (400 653 8820, www.citysuper.com.cn)
Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai 1288 Lujiazui Ring Road, 陆家嘴环路1228号 (3867 8888)
Yu Garden 137 Anren Jie, by Fuyou Lu 豫园, 安仁街137号, 近福佑路 (6326 0830)
IAPM 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu, by Shaanxi Nan Lu, 淮海中路999号, 近陕西南路 (3326 6700)
