The Place and Vibe
You would never know you were in China when sitting in this small Italian eatery. What looks like it should be located in the nook of a narrow street in Rome is a cozy spot on Wulumuqi Lu. As you watch the owner Franco Zhang make his rounds to each table, followed by the warm service of the friendly staff, you quickly realize that the place is filled with regulars and frequent diners – a sure sign of good things to come.
This restaurant is nothing short of bustling after 7pm, and with the tables set only inches apart from one another, diners should be ready to get cozy with their neighbors. While some may cringe at the idea of dining close to strangers, this quality actually gives the place its affable setting and an authentic Mediterranean vibe.
A wall of wine bottles decorates the back of the bar, while knick-knacks around the room give the restaurant character and a casual atmosphere.
The Food
La Vite has both traditional Italian choices as well as some unique Mediterranean dishes. With over 100 bottles of wines to choose from, they are all exclusively Italian (with one or two from France), so we recommend indulging with a few glasses.
We began with the pepata di cozze (peppery mussels, RMB68) and the burrata con insalata (salad with burrata cheese, RMB79). The mussels were lightly coated in a white wine and garlic sauce, creating a delightful balance bite without being overwhelmed by the garlic. The burrata salad was our favorite starter due to the freshness of the cheese that we find ourselves often craving in Shanghai.
We moved onto the mains and tried something from each category of the menu. For pasta, we had the agli spinaci (RMB62) – a ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese with loads of chopped mushrooms on top. For pizza, we had the prosciutto di parma (RMB75), which was covered with mozzarella, parma ham, rocket and tomato. The pizzas all have a thin, fluffy crust, and the cheese is of very good quality.
We loved the salsiccia toscana (grilled sausages, RMB88) with Tuscan style stewed beans on the side. Although it’s not one of the most well-known Italian dishes, it was certainly our favorite if you are looking to try something other than your usual Italian fare.
For dessert, we opted for the tiramisu (RMB38), which was fluffy and featured strong coffee flavor.
Date Night Approved?
Although it may not be the fanciest of places, this Italian restaurant is quaint and a great down-to-earth place to dine with your honey. With its affordable prices, it won’t break the bank and it makes for a great casual evening out. Because of the tight space, we definitely would not recommend bringing along the entire family with stroller and carrier in tow. Save this for a night to enjoy each other’s company, or a double date with another couple.
Price: RMB250 per person with drinks
Who’s Going: Europeans and couples
Good for: Dinner
