Onetime master of nightclub, and city social hub, Mint (the old one at 333 Tongren Lu) and most recently Marketing and Sales Director of VOL group (Ultraviolet, Mr & Mrs Bund, Bar Rouge and The Cut), Frenchman Charles Belin has over a decade of the Shanghai good life under his belt. And this is one dad dedicated to passing on his knowhow having a fine ol’ time of it to his two daughters, Olympe, 8, and Fleur, 7. Here, he passes on his top tips…
1. Food & family time..
There are two types of family dining options in Shanghai: the recreational, entertaining ones and the more culinary focused ones for little foodie apprentices.
You can find both of these dining experiences at Sunday hotel brunches across the city. In my view, they are the traditional centerpiece of family life in Shanghai. They allow parents and children to enjoy a meal out. They also open earlier, saving you from the pain of waiting around with hungry and cranky mouths to feed. They offer the widest range of food and activities to make your brunch not just a meal but a whole day program. The downside: they’re only valid on Sunday and can be pricey.
All the choices below are the result of a very serious poll taken by my two gluttonous daughters Olympe (8) and Fleur (7).
2. The best of brunch…
The Royal Meridien’s ‘La Vie en Rose’ is the Disney Land of all brunches. It looks and smells like candy floss and marshmallows. The selection is vast and allows your children to go hunting and gathering for their own food. Their kids’ corner is well equipped (TV set, DVD player, plush toys, toys, board games and an ayi to make sure that all primary safety rules are being followed).
Westin’s ‘The Stage’ is the origin of Shanghai brunches and hasn’t changed in a decade. If it became too stereotypical after all these years, it remains a great destination for families and visitors with kids. Their kids club is supervised by very professional and kind ayis in a spacious, bright and perfectly clean room on the 2nd floor. Children check in and you won’t be seeing them again till the end of the brunch, giving you a chance to enjoy the all-you-can-drink Taittinger Champagne experience and the multiple around-the-world cuisine choice. Westin also offers a wide range of live performances, that I am personally not a big fan of - at all - from opera singing to traditional Chinese circus acts: don’t expect a quiet relaxing time; loose it up and brunch like a party animal, till your kids come back to pick you up and bring you home.
Even though Pudong Kerry Hotel’s ‘The Meat’ is a bit far away and expensive, it is the best option for a Brunch & Sunday afternoon combo. The high-end restaurant at Kerry features an all-you-can-eat appetizers and dessert buffet as well as alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and your choice of main course. The Meat preaches quality over quantity and kids will enjoy an excellent premium sirloin beef or cod-fish with sides. The greatest benefit of The Meat is the free access to Kerry’s infamous, and best kids club in the city.
3. Educating our little foodies…
I am convinced that a child’s palate should be pushed and developed and it is a parent’s responsibility to accompany them in the apprenticeship of tastes and flavors. Restaurateurs can have a great role in helping kids graduating into real diners, one bit at a time. I always favor venues that truly care about children, keeping them entertained but that also consider them as real guests and offer food that will contribute to our children’s food memory.
Sunday brunch is particularly a great way to start training your little ones. I like providing just a few instructions to turn their expedition into a food game: pick a green, a meat and a carb. Another is to avoid mixing roasted chicken and chocolate mousse...
4. On Daddy’s map are…
Cuivre and its Thai sister T For Thai are my picks, where Mike Wendling and Fanny Cervera’s two-in-one concepts have understood both interests of serving a good, well balanced menu and providing a playground for children to exhaust themselves afterwards (to incur a much needed post-brunch napping session later). Kids menu is RMB88 and includes a main, a dessert, a drink and access to a playroom at the second floor (ask for directions if it is your first time). Whether you feel inspired by French cuisine or Thai, your choice can’t go wrong and will be well-supported by your little ones.
Mr & Mrs Bund is the early gastronome choice. Not only will your kids discover some of the best French food available in the country but they will also (and very naturally, I observed) practice good manners and behave like fine diners, inspired by their surroundings. There is no playground, but the restaurant does devise a passion for introducing their youngest guests to a truly delicious cuisine. No kids menu either, MMB trust their young visitors’ taste buds to enjoy just the same as mum and dad. The sharing menu is a great opportunity to try a bit of everything and the taste will surely arouse vocations of foodies, if not to become a chef…
5. Oldies, but goodies…
The courtyard at Elefante will again be a delight this year. Perfect al-fresco dining giving away the kids brunch menu (yes, for free!) which is absolutely, very Willy-esque madness.
Whether you like the food or not (I personally do), Paulaner is a savior. Outdoor playground, monthly kids brunch parties with different themes, one of the kid-friendliest staff in Shanghai, and giant beer stein for daddy! It’s family style: busy and jolly.
And finally…
No matter the delicious options, no matter how much they cry, no matter how much they beg: never feed them after midnight...
