Shanghai Swoons Over Bottega’s First Branch Outside Beijing
If there's one thing the most awarded pizza restaurant in Beijing can brag about now, it's that Shanghai might just have a thing for Bottega, too.
A week into their soft opening in the Paris of the Orient and each night is packed at Bottega's first branch outside the capital near Huaihai Zhong Lu in Xuhui District, according to Bottega co-founder David Connolly.
The Shanghai branch sets itself apart, first and foremost, with its design. It's sleek and airy, and the first thing one notices when entering is the bright red tiled pizza oven, an eye catcher from top Italian pizza oven maker Stefano Ferrara embalzoned with the Bottega logo in steel.
The design continues to the art, with neon lights and photographs on the walls inspired by '50s Italian adverts featuring folks from around Shanghai decked out in old school atire. Even the restrooms are well thought out, featuring the colors of the Italian flag and illustrations of the common ingredients of Neapolitan pizza -- tomatoes, basil, garlic, and more -- done up like devotional cards for saints.
It's not just about the design, but the menu as well. The classic pizzas are all here, with the addition of a few new specials: the Marinara, a Neapolitan classic made with just tomato sauce and garlic; and the Salsiccia e Friarelli (RMB 129), topped with sausage and friarelli, aka broccoli rabe, a leafy vegetable similar to broccoli but with a sharp, mustard-like taste.
Then there's also the Montanara (RMB 99), which sees the makings of a Margharita pizza on a dough base that’s first steamed before being deep fried, lending the pie a different kind of texture and bite.
There’s also more attention paid to the cocktail menu -- whatwith Shanghai being a cocktail city and all -- with a menu of spritzes and specially made tipples designed by Peter Kwok , formerly of the recently shuttered Black Moth. As for wine, there's no menu, but a cavernous wine cellar instead. Wines are arranged by flavor profile and pricing, and guests are encouraged to tell wait staff what flavor they're seeking in order to find the best wine to accompany their meal.
With things keeping busy at the new Shnaghai Bottega, Connolly says they’re planning on expanding music events as well, with a DJ station and three disco balls also prominent additions to the restaurant.
Whether it be the pizza, the drinks, or the ambiance, Shanghai is seemingly smitten with the Beijing-born Bottega. Here’s hoping they have a bright future ahead down South in the Year of the Rabbit.
Bottega Shanghai
101B KWAH, 108 Xiangyang Bei Lu, Xuhui District
徐汇区襄阳北路108号嘉华中心1楼101B室
Can’t make it to Shanghai soon? You can try the Montanra pizza at Bottega’s JinShang location for a limited time (until Feb 13) as part of the Beijinger’s Cheesy Pizza Month!
Follow the link below to learn how to take part and win prizes, and be sure to follow our pizza lovers and dedicated Pizza Month groups on WeChat. Simply add TBJButler and ask to be added in (specify English or Chinese langage with your request).
READ: Get Out and Partake in Cheesy Pizza Month Now Until Feb 13!
Images courtesy of Bottega
