Author: Kathleen

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Traditional Roast Duck in Shanghai

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For our final foray in China, we scheduled an evening for dinner at Traditional Beijing Roast Duck –Shanghai, a restaurant on 1 South HeNan Road. We noticed this establishment several times while exploring the city plus, it was two blocks from our hotel and the concierge made a favorable recommendation, as well as the reservation.

IMG_2237{My brother Sean discussing the menu with our waitress}

No traveler comes to China or leaves without partaking in the ceremony of eating roasted duck.  We arrived early and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the dining area before the hungry throng of patrons converged upon the restaurant. Watching the staff make preparations for the evening ahead; there were managers giving last minute instructions to wait-staff, washers, cooks, and they checked to see that each employee was presentable in their attire since, we could see into the kitchen.

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There is a great deal of work that goes into the preparation of the ducks before they are brought in for roasting. As the birds hang in the oven, a chef determines their cooking time and may swing them closer to the flames in the oven so, the skin will become extremely crispy.

IMG_2250{Sean and Tony anxiously awaiting crispy duck}

After much discussion, our meal was decided upon and the waitress shared the specialty dishes of the day. The chef carved the bird at our table with great pomp and ceremony.  The duck was sliced to perfection including the head, which is considered a delicacy. Nothing went to waste, a bit of the fat, meat and bones were used to make soup, which was brought back to the table towards the end of the meal.

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Once the duck was carved, the rest of our meal was served and it was delicious. There were condiments such as hoisin sauce, a sweet bean sauce, and scallions, to go with steamed pancakes used for rolling up the duck meat and crispy skin. We had side dishes of eggplant in a chili-garlic sauce with a touch of sherry and scrumptious stir-fried string beans with lots of garlic.

IMG_2252 IMG_2253 IMG_2254 IMG_2255{Serving of Beijing Roast Duck with a pot of soup}

The overall dining experience was truly memorable and the perfect end to our trip in the Orient. But, the “Silk Road” series will continue as we move towards Arabia.

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Art of Shanghai

IMG_1836{The China Pavilion from the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 has been transformed into a museum of Chinese Art}

P1010899{Work by Yang Shaobin}

The Shanghai Art Museum was located in the city on Nanjing Road, which was an old 1933 clubhouse for the racehorse set, but in October 2012 the contemporary art museum moved into the Chinese pavilion from the 2010 Expo and was renamed the “China Art Museum, Shanghai“.

IMG_1993{Hanging scroll of bamboo, water and ink on paper- Qing}

Shanghai Museum houses items of national importance and great historical perspective from various Dynasties such as Han, Ming and Qing with items in bronze, jade, ceramics and various furnishings, including bamboo.

IMG_2019{Sacrificial animal- zun wine vessel}

P1010912{M50 at 50 Moganshan Lu}

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M50 is one of Shanghai’s best creative communities in the Putuo District, which houses a thriving cluster of artists, whose studios are open to the public with off the beaten path galleries. The venue of open studios and apartments provide a great way to view the avant-garde work of contemporary artist. You feel as if you are in the “SoHo” of Shanghai! The buildings themselves may be a work in progress so, one can see that these artists are definitely pushing the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm.

Think creatively,

K