WHEN you are bored with same-look five-star hotels, but still want to enjoy the same-level food and beverages, a new venue will satisfy your craving, with old Shanghai longtang (lane) architecture, five-star food at cafe prices and a freshly prepared 20-dessert buffet.

Take an old, historic building, add great architecture from internationally acclaimed Neri & Hu, incorporating the best of chic modern design while retaining and highlighting the beautiful traditional Shanghai longtang elements. To that, add the best desserts and freshest gourmet foods prepared by an international team and served in a spectacular self-service format. Then, add wine pairings from the owner’s own home country of Australia, and top it off with the warmest, most inviting hospitality that you could find in China. This is Taste & See, gourmet cafe and desserts, newly opened at Zhangyuan 99.

The founder, Kang Yang Lim, a Chinese raised in Melbourne, came to Shanghai 10 years ago and met his Shanghainese wife. Now he is a father of two kids.

“I miss Australia, which inspired me to open a venue like this, serving fine foods and wines that are typical Australian style — international cuisines,” Lim tells Shanghai Daily.

He invited Ryan Lau (dessert chef of the Regent Hotel Singapore) and Rock Yu (executive chef of Beef & Liberty) to bring to customers their experience. Also on board are 2013 interior design hall of fame architects Neri & Hu, who designed this chic dessert and gourmet cafe.

The cafe not only offers a daily buffet consisting of 20 freshly made desserts (from their 50-dessert menu) but also boasts an equally appetizing wine selection, weekend brunch and dinner menu — all delivered by a well-trained international hospitality team. Alongside the tantalizing food, restaurant patrons will be entertained with regular live music. The venue also will host a number of inspirational talks set to empower and equip people from all walks of life.

“We aim to be competing at world standards, but at our core is a friendly and personal local gourmet cafe. While serving five-star food, we offer cafe prices and take very seriously our business of building relationships with good food, bright smiles and warm enduring service,” Lim says.

The 37-year-old, friendly and talkative, has a wide range of experience and hobbies. His professional background is in finance, and Taste & See is his first experience in the restaurant field.

He spent almost two years finding a good venue, completing the decoration, forming the business model and settling on a menu to get ready for his opening. Now open three months, it has drawn many regular customers who come for the fine food and pleasant environment.

“I feel God lead me to do this,” Lim shares during the interview that he is a sincere Christian, taking his relationship with God very seriously.

Lim says that he aims to make the restaurant a platform for charity events, and the numbers on the cafe wall are not just a decoration but a biblical code.

Under the buffet desserts table in the middle of the restaurant, there is a mini-library displaying books about family, travel, pregnancy and baby care, Christianity, culture, design and fashion.

One surprise for restaurant patrons: Lim sings on the small stage in the front of the restaurant, sometimes with his band.

Opening specials include brunch buffet (150 yuan/US$24.45), business lunch at 65-85 yuan, and dinner (from 150 yuan).

 

Address: 99 Taixing Rd, inside Zhuangyuan 99

Tel:  5283-1977