A Fork And A Suitcase

As an avid traveler, I have visited many different countries, but for some reason China was never on top of any list.  Don't know why, it just worked out that way.  It very well could have been due to some preconceived notions, some perceptions, whether correct or not.  This trip to Shanghai and two other cities, changed my view of China completely.  So, here are a few things that I loved about Shanghai. First, I loved that the level of cleanliness was impressive, I found the people to be very kind and helpful, the food was some of the best stuff I have ever had and the transportation was enviable.  This is a well run and organized place that is also fun and relaxed. I loved that there are buildings such as this one  and this I loved these neighborhoods that are still here, where people live and raise their families.  We have seen many older neighborhoods being knocked down to make room for skyscrapers.   I love...

This place was right across the street from our hotel, Andaz, on Songshan Road.  Each morning we saw a long line form in front of this shop, so on our final day in Shanghai, we decided to join in.  This looked like a family operation, with two people making the dumplings, one placing them in the pan and tending to the oil and one selling the finished product.   The dumplings were heavenly glorious; packed with flavor, with great meaty broth filling and a crunchy shell.  We instantly regretted not getting them on daily basis.  Live and learn, live and learn.  Joanna

After dinner we strolled around a fun area of shops, cafes and restaurants.  In a serious mood for something sweet, we happened upon Chikalicious, a dessert place with tables inside and outside.  We decided to sit outside, it was warm, the music was playing and the mood was jovial.  Chikalicious was established in New York City by Chika and Don Tillman.  They expanded to Shanghai where the restaurant is run by two chefs trained by Chika.  Chika's  motto is: "American Dessert, French Presentation & Japanese Tasting Portions".   The attention to detail was very impressive, as was the service.  The use of high quality china and utensils really sets the tone, it makes the customer feel cared for, welcomed and special.  This Earl Grey - white chocolate mousse cake with raspberry was light, not too sweet and delightful.  The flavors were super subtle and exquisite. A really lovely place. I have to find th...

This was our first meal in Shanghai, and boy, was it a great introduction.  Exhausted after a long flight, we wandered into this place and liked what the people inside were eating. I thought that the decor was really stunning, open, modern and creative. We placed the order and paid at the counter, within minutes the food was delivered to the table by a waiter.  The menu was in Chinese and the person at the counter did not speak any English, but she did find one English version.  This was our delicious dinner.  My husband ordered the soy milk, a house specialty.  The restaurant serves the soy milk either sweet or salty.  The latter, comes with soft tofu floating in it.  I have to say, everything we ate at the Taoyuan Village was really excellent.  I had the rice roll with bacon, egg, green onion, pickled radish and mustard root.  It looked like a burrito and tasted like heaven. I am not a fan of...

This is a map of Jewish historical spots in Hongkou district in northern Shanghai.  Shanghai was a safe haven for Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi occupied Europe during the Holocaust.  It was one of the very few places in the world where visas were not required.  By 1941 close to 20,000 European Jews found refuge in Shanghai.  Jewish community existed in Shanghai since the late 19th century when thousands of Russian Jews fled the Bolshevik Revolution.  In 1930's Nazi Germany encouraged the German and Austrian Jews to emigrate, but most countries closed the borders to them or had very low Jewish refugees quotas.  There were very few options for the refugees.  The Evian Conference (1938), was held at the urging of Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss the increase in the numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing persecution.  The conference was attended by representatives from 32 countries and 24 voluntary organizations.  At the end, only Costa R...