Best Food In China

Location

Situated in of Shanghai’s northern Zhabei district, the Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Daning hotel forms the center of a clean, modern hub, surrounded by a multitude of restaurants and shops. Located on the ground floor of the Sheraton complex is indoor-outdoor restaurant Siempre Tapas. Being a fan of Spanish food and tapas in particular, I was looking forward to sampling the zesty Spanish flavor here in Shanghai, and especially pleased to discover that the chef hailed from Venezuela.

Siempre Tapas caters for both casual diners indulging in a few appetizers and a glass of sangria or two before moving onto their main meal, as well as those who plan to wine and dine properly at the establishment.

We began with some amuses bouches, which included a dish consisting of sliced cherry tomatoes in pesto sauce, olives, and aged tomatoes, soaked for a long time in balsamic vinegar, which gave the tomatoes an almost date-like sweet and chewy consistency.

I next sampled a simple, typical Italian salad, the Ensalada Capresa con polvo de aceitunas for RMB 65(+15%), flavored with black olive dust. Not a Spanish dish by any means, but after conversing with the chef, I learned that even though the restaurant has a heavy Spanish flavor influence, it is not just a “Spanish restaurant”, so the salad did not feel out of place. Both the tomatoes and mozzerella cheese used were fresh, and it was one of the better caprese salads I have tried in Asia.

Our meal proper kicked off with a trio of dishes recommended by the chef. Our first, Setas al Ajillo was comprised of sautéed mixed mushrooms with garlic and extra virgin olive oil. In true tapas style the dish was simple, but nevertheless well seasoned, cooked and flavored. The mushrooms had a nice consistency and had a texture more similar to potatoes; all in all a dish I enjoyed and would order again.

My highlight of the evening Chuletas de Cordero con frijoles blancos, a lamb chop dish paired with a white bean ragout and covered in an orange sauce. The lamb was cooked perfectly and had a superb taste, while the white bean ragout was quite flavorful. Both the lamb and white beans had a very rich colorful taste, which I couldn’t get enough of; so much so in fact, that I ordered a second portion after finishing the meal.

Aside from the chefs recommendations, I also ordered was the Empanada Gallega con atun for RMB 35( +15%), essentially a stuffed pastry with tuna. Although the flavor was quite good, it was a bit too dry for me, lacking any sauce whatsoever, and not the strongest dish of the night. My most anticipated dish of the evening, an Asian-Latin fusion of spring rolls served with mint sauce named Rollitos de Cordero, came highly recommended but unfortunately sold out. A must-try on my return visit.

The dessert, chosen by the chef, is a specialty of the restaurant. The homemade churros, most likened to ladyfingers, was paired with chocolate sauce. Spanish food is characterized by its simplicity but flavors that fill the mouth and satisfy the palate, and this dessert, like everything else that had been set on the table previously, exemplified tasty comfort food.

I would strongly recommend sitting outside to enjoy the modern atmospheric vibe of this area. Siempre Tapas is a restaurant well worth venturing out of the city center for, not only for the great food, but for a different feel of greater Shanghai.

- by Jeremy Goren

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