FEBRUARY 28, 2008
Our dear Aussie friend, Ali, is to celebrate her 60th birthday in March, but as she was departing in less than a week for a six week tour of Europe, it was decided that we simply must honor her before she commenced the journey. Arrangements were made for an evening at Club Shanghai, an establishment with which we were unfamiliar. There were to be 4 couples ... Mike and Ali, Margaret and Tom, Toni and Simon, and Randy and me. Ali had informed us that Club Shanghai was on the 4th floor of the Shanghai Concert Hall, and was a lovely, upscale dining establishment which included live music for dancing. Sounded intriguing, so we confirmed our intention to join them.
Both Randy and Simon had been struggling with some sort of virus most of that week .... fever, headache, body aches, and general malaise were the symptoms. But Randy was feeling better by Saturday, the day planned for the celebration, and he decided he could attend (he hates to miss a party!). But Simon, however, was still feeling rough, so we asked Toni to share our taxi that evening, and Simon stayed home.
Our taxi driver seemed to know the place and dropped us off in front of a large, four story building that had Grecian columns across the front. It looked like a museum or a large library .... something of a monument-type building like you'd see in Washington DC. It was impressive enough, but it appeared to be dark and locked up for the evening. We tried the door and it opened. A young Chinese woman directed us around to the other side of the building when we inquired about Club Shanghai. As we came out to head around to the other side, Margaret and Tom were approaching.
As we found a path around to the front of the building, it was apparent we'd tried to enter from the back. The trees and garden areas which decorated the front lawn were peppered with little white twinkling lights, and the chandeliers glowed invitingly through the tall windows from within the handsome concert hall. We were curious about the lack of other visitors, but continued to the 4th floor up to Club Shanghai.
Our coats and wraps were taken by tuxedo'd Chinese gentlemen, and we were invited to be seated in the massive dining area. Fresh flowers cascaded from large vases, linen cloths and napkins adorned lovely candlelit tables. The dining area was two floors with the second floor being a beautiful balcony overlooking the main dining area accessible by a sleek marble staircase. We were somewhat taken aback by the beauty and elegance of our surroundings.
Beyond the dining room was a warm, darkly paneled bar area with overstuffed leather chairs and sofas surrounding glass coffee tables. As Mike and Ali had yet to arrive, we decided we'd wait for them in there. Celebration calls for something special, so we ordered a bottle of champagne knowing this was something Ali would enjoy.
Shortly after our bubbly was poured into crystal stemware, Mike and Ali arrived. Margaret had recently returned from a visit to their native Australia, and was laden with gifts from Ali's family back home. Ali was truly touched that Margaret had gone to the bother of not only transporting gifts from home, but had also taken the time to beautifully wrap each one. Unfortunately, I'd had a specific gift in mind, but when Randy and I arrived at the store the previous day, it was no longer available. We informed Ali that we'd have to continue the celebration upon her return from Europe.
Our drinks were placed upon silver trays and we moved to the dining area where a truly remarkable culinary experience was awaiting us. The menu was printed in English, but the menu selections were of French origin .... yum!! I appreciated the simplicity of it .... appetizers on one side of the menu, and main courses on the other. At my recommendation, Mike ordered a lovely Bertrand Syrah that Randy and I had enjoyed at our favorite French restaurant, Cafe Montmarte, and everyone agreed that it was delightful, and several bottles were enjoyed. Our waiter recommended the sea bass as the catch of the day, and many of us did indeed decide upon the fish.
We were presented with a sampling of special appetizers to start and a gorgeous bread basket that seem to never deplete. It appeared that we each had a waiter to attend to our every desire. If a crumb fell from our bread to the linen tablecloth, it was discreetly brushed away before we had a chance to notice. The crystal water goblets were filled with sparking water and fresh lime slices, and again, were never allowed to be emptied.
I'd ordered a lobster bisque for my appetizer, and I dare say it might be the finest thing I have ever tasted .... pure heaven!! Randy had asparagus soup that must have been just as fine as my bisque because he didn't offer me a single bite! When it came time to serve our main courses (I'd opted for the sea bass and Randy ordered a beef tenderloin), placed before each of us was a platter with a silver domed lid. A signal was given and the domed covers were removed precisely "ensemble," quite ceremoniously with a grand flourish ..... voila!!! The presentation of the food was exquisite, and everything tasted as lovely as it appeared.
As we could hear the musicians tuning up, we decided to take our desserts and after dinner drinks in the ballroom. I have never been to the Rainbow Room in New York City, but this ballroom is exactly what I imagine it might look like. The large hardwood dance floor was polished to a gleam, and was flanked on three sides by more linen covered and candlelit tables. The fourth side of the room was a large stage upon which stood four violinists near a pianist at a grand piano. The women wore long black gowns and the men black tuxes. As we were seated, they commenced playing a lilting waltz, and the disco ball at the ceiling sent sparkling, playful splashes of light around the room in time with the music.
As the music played, our desserts were presented accompanied by silver trays heaped with homemade chocolates and candies. It was almost sensory overload ..... gorgeous surroundings, beautiful music, excellent food, over attentive service, and all this experienced with our terrific friends! I felt like Cinderella at the ball!! And it wasn't even MY birthday!
The violin quartet played for about 20 minutes or so, and then were replaced by a truly accomplished stage orchestra that could have, once again, come straight from the Rainbow Room. Again, the band had donned tuxes of black with the lead singer choosing black pants and a white tux jacket. The music was really fun .... Cole Porter, Gershwin, Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin. Just what you'd expect in a fancy ballroom. And the singer not only had the voice, but he also had the moves!! He grinned like a Cheshire cat, snapped his fingers in time to the music, winked and blew kisses to the ladies. If you closed your eyes, you'd never imagine he was Chinese. The orchestra played for a half hour or so, then the violin quartet came out for another set, to be followed once again by the orchestra.
The only thing that was even remotely "off" the entire evening was the fact that we were the only patrons they had all evening. We jokingly asked Mike if he'd booked the entire place just for the occasion, but no. It was a shame, really. The beautiful dining room and gleaming ballroom just begged to filled with people eating, drinking, dancing, having a wonderful time!! We all wondered aloud how they could remain open with so few customers, and suggestions were made that it might be some kind of money laundering business for illegal activity which I hated to consider. Well, the case could be made that Club Shanghai is probably cost prohibitive for many (yes, this evening set us back a bit financially), but it was certainly one of those once in a lifetime events for which we didn't mind paying the extra. And certainly the fact that the wait staff had only us to serve made it seem that much more special. We seem to keep having those "once in a lifetime" experiences over here, but I guess that is what makes this an adventure!
Ali embarked on her European adventure a few days later (to be joined by Mike in a few weeks), and I await her return anticipating the planning of further adventures. In the meantime, we are having more visitors from Scotland this week and next who will be working at the plant. The weather is improving almost daily, and spring, while not settled in permanently, is definitely knocking at the door. The daily temps this week are mid 50's, but with a chilly breeze. So it appears we have survived the worst Chinese winter in 50 years.
Both Randy and Simon had been struggling with some sort of virus most of that week .... fever, headache, body aches, and general malaise were the symptoms. But Randy was feeling better by Saturday, the day planned for the celebration, and he decided he could attend (he hates to miss a party!). But Simon, however, was still feeling rough, so we asked Toni to share our taxi that evening, and Simon stayed home.
Our taxi driver seemed to know the place and dropped us off in front of a large, four story building that had Grecian columns across the front. It looked like a museum or a large library .... something of a monument-type building like you'd see in Washington DC. It was impressive enough, but it appeared to be dark and locked up for the evening. We tried the door and it opened. A young Chinese woman directed us around to the other side of the building when we inquired about Club Shanghai. As we came out to head around to the other side, Margaret and Tom were approaching.
As we found a path around to the front of the building, it was apparent we'd tried to enter from the back. The trees and garden areas which decorated the front lawn were peppered with little white twinkling lights, and the chandeliers glowed invitingly through the tall windows from within the handsome concert hall. We were curious about the lack of other visitors, but continued to the 4th floor up to Club Shanghai.
Our coats and wraps were taken by tuxedo'd Chinese gentlemen, and we were invited to be seated in the massive dining area. Fresh flowers cascaded from large vases, linen cloths and napkins adorned lovely candlelit tables. The dining area was two floors with the second floor being a beautiful balcony overlooking the main dining area accessible by a sleek marble staircase. We were somewhat taken aback by the beauty and elegance of our surroundings.
Beyond the dining room was a warm, darkly paneled bar area with overstuffed leather chairs and sofas surrounding glass coffee tables. As Mike and Ali had yet to arrive, we decided we'd wait for them in there. Celebration calls for something special, so we ordered a bottle of champagne knowing this was something Ali would enjoy.
Shortly after our bubbly was poured into crystal stemware, Mike and Ali arrived. Margaret had recently returned from a visit to their native Australia, and was laden with gifts from Ali's family back home. Ali was truly touched that Margaret had gone to the bother of not only transporting gifts from home, but had also taken the time to beautifully wrap each one. Unfortunately, I'd had a specific gift in mind, but when Randy and I arrived at the store the previous day, it was no longer available. We informed Ali that we'd have to continue the celebration upon her return from Europe.
Our drinks were placed upon silver trays and we moved to the dining area where a truly remarkable culinary experience was awaiting us. The menu was printed in English, but the menu selections were of French origin .... yum!! I appreciated the simplicity of it .... appetizers on one side of the menu, and main courses on the other. At my recommendation, Mike ordered a lovely Bertrand Syrah that Randy and I had enjoyed at our favorite French restaurant, Cafe Montmarte, and everyone agreed that it was delightful, and several bottles were enjoyed. Our waiter recommended the sea bass as the catch of the day, and many of us did indeed decide upon the fish.
We were presented with a sampling of special appetizers to start and a gorgeous bread basket that seem to never deplete. It appeared that we each had a waiter to attend to our every desire. If a crumb fell from our bread to the linen tablecloth, it was discreetly brushed away before we had a chance to notice. The crystal water goblets were filled with sparking water and fresh lime slices, and again, were never allowed to be emptied.
I'd ordered a lobster bisque for my appetizer, and I dare say it might be the finest thing I have ever tasted .... pure heaven!! Randy had asparagus soup that must have been just as fine as my bisque because he didn't offer me a single bite! When it came time to serve our main courses (I'd opted for the sea bass and Randy ordered a beef tenderloin), placed before each of us was a platter with a silver domed lid. A signal was given and the domed covers were removed precisely "ensemble," quite ceremoniously with a grand flourish ..... voila!!! The presentation of the food was exquisite, and everything tasted as lovely as it appeared.
As we could hear the musicians tuning up, we decided to take our desserts and after dinner drinks in the ballroom. I have never been to the Rainbow Room in New York City, but this ballroom is exactly what I imagine it might look like. The large hardwood dance floor was polished to a gleam, and was flanked on three sides by more linen covered and candlelit tables. The fourth side of the room was a large stage upon which stood four violinists near a pianist at a grand piano. The women wore long black gowns and the men black tuxes. As we were seated, they commenced playing a lilting waltz, and the disco ball at the ceiling sent sparkling, playful splashes of light around the room in time with the music.
As the music played, our desserts were presented accompanied by silver trays heaped with homemade chocolates and candies. It was almost sensory overload ..... gorgeous surroundings, beautiful music, excellent food, over attentive service, and all this experienced with our terrific friends! I felt like Cinderella at the ball!! And it wasn't even MY birthday!
The violin quartet played for about 20 minutes or so, and then were replaced by a truly accomplished stage orchestra that could have, once again, come straight from the Rainbow Room. Again, the band had donned tuxes of black with the lead singer choosing black pants and a white tux jacket. The music was really fun .... Cole Porter, Gershwin, Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin. Just what you'd expect in a fancy ballroom. And the singer not only had the voice, but he also had the moves!! He grinned like a Cheshire cat, snapped his fingers in time to the music, winked and blew kisses to the ladies. If you closed your eyes, you'd never imagine he was Chinese. The orchestra played for a half hour or so, then the violin quartet came out for another set, to be followed once again by the orchestra.
The only thing that was even remotely "off" the entire evening was the fact that we were the only patrons they had all evening. We jokingly asked Mike if he'd booked the entire place just for the occasion, but no. It was a shame, really. The beautiful dining room and gleaming ballroom just begged to filled with people eating, drinking, dancing, having a wonderful time!! We all wondered aloud how they could remain open with so few customers, and suggestions were made that it might be some kind of money laundering business for illegal activity which I hated to consider. Well, the case could be made that Club Shanghai is probably cost prohibitive for many (yes, this evening set us back a bit financially), but it was certainly one of those once in a lifetime events for which we didn't mind paying the extra. And certainly the fact that the wait staff had only us to serve made it seem that much more special. We seem to keep having those "once in a lifetime" experiences over here, but I guess that is what makes this an adventure!
Ali embarked on her European adventure a few days later (to be joined by Mike in a few weeks), and I await her return anticipating the planning of further adventures. In the meantime, we are having more visitors from Scotland this week and next who will be working at the plant. The weather is improving almost daily, and spring, while not settled in permanently, is definitely knocking at the door. The daily temps this week are mid 50's, but with a chilly breeze. So it appears we have survived the worst Chinese winter in 50 years.
posted by Roxanne Gillett at
12:48 AM
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