I too am an american foodie, and recently back from china. My favorite restaurant in Shanghai is called Xian yue hien, it is situated in a retired communist party compound overlooking a little pond. address: 849 huashan lu tel: 6251 1166 The restaurant is open to the public and serves a great of dim sum. The chinese menu has many more choices than the english. I suggest a dim sum with turnip, it will turn your head, and just about everything else that is dimsum. the turnip soup is delicious as well. as far as chic well known restos.... the whompoa club is beautiful, and that is about it. the food is a bit too fusion gone awry. the restaurant and club and all that is associated with the Face are very nice. good thai beef salad. the california is fun. quite expaty though. i will make another posting soon about beijing.
