Not yet a member ? Join now | Members log-in here | SmartTicket Cart (0)

SmartShanghai's "Best of Shanghai"

See which venues are popular with other SmartShanghai.com members. Enter

Reviewed by Proxy: La Grange

The new French restaurant on Julu Lu - By Hien, Jul 30, 08



La Grange is the newly opened French restaurant on Julu Lu, a joint venture by Chef J¨¦rôme Lagarde of Sens & Bund fame and the owner of Le Saleya.

Erstwhile writer for SmartShanghai, Rob R. recently had dinner at La Grange, and although I haven't had the chance to try it out yet, I talked to Rob about it via msn and he seemed to sum up quite succinctly what to expect.

Herein, is the copy-paste job from that conversation -- this is as real or true a review as you can get, with no superfluous blather from the reviewer: just the facts, dudes.

It's like the 21st century equivalent of "phoning it in"...

rob.r says: Oh -- went to La Grange last night...

hien says: How was it? Can you write a review of it?

rob.r says: I think someone should go there on a PR invite.

hien says: haha

rob.r says: Although, then they will miss out the most impressive part of the experience... the bill.

rob.r says: It's waaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive.

hien says: Yeah, I heard it's rather expensive...

rob.r says: And their wine list is absurd.

hien says: What do you mean by absurd? Price? Or "awesome" absurd?

rob.r says: the least expensive single glass is 108rmb -- it's 3-4 times the mark-up.

hien says: OIC, any other price examples?

rob.r says: hmmmm, entrees starting at 100rmb up to 200rmb or 300rmb and mains 200rmb to just under 400rmb

rob.r says: they do give you a lot of little "extras" though

rob.r says: and the one French woman presumably manager was very thorough, maybe paid a little too much attention to me, even when my date asked the questions, her answer was directed to me... maybe it's the French service culture.

rob.r says: the remaining staff was acceptably trained but service wasn't where it should be for the price

hien says: that's the standard comment to make for service in Shanghai...

hien says: how was the food?

rob.r says: food was fine

rob.r says: but nothing mind blowing... fairly well-executed south-western French bistro. Although they didn't do a good job of braising the pork, and braising is pretty much the basics for French food.

rob.r says: it was too dry

rob.r says: so...

rob.r says: like I said, it was fine

rob.r says: but nothing great

hien says: should be really great, I presume, for the price

rob.r says: yes... it should be

rob.r says: anyway

rob.r says: so in summary

rob.r says: I'd skip

hien says: I'm curious about the d¨¦cor and design of the place...

rob.r says: The decor is good. The service is very knowledgeable. The foie gras terrine was excellent.

rob.r says: oh oh oh

rob.r says: and the bread is the best I've had in Shanghai

hien says: bake it themselves right?

rob.r says: I think the decor is interesting actually -- it's one of the first places I've seen with such lofty aspirations to open in a space so small but yet designed nicely.

rob.r says: yeah -- bake it themselves

***

arsenedr

Sep 19, 08

I'd say this is a little exagerated... I agree on the wine list though... only 7/8 wines below 1000 rmb a bottle. Well, A la carte might be expensive, but the set menu is great for a low 500rmb. Basically, you can chose anything a la carte, a starter (try the "cepes"!!), a main course (the "hachi" is great, and no comment about the "kobe beef" even though there is a added charge), a selection of south west cheese and a desert. The "cafe gourmand" will fill the last empty space of your stomach. I had a great diner there.
Please sign in or register to comment
  • The Divine Miss M - Kylie Minogue chats to us about life as a pop culture icon, big shows, short-shorts, cryogenics and more.
  • Don't miss the TALK guide to Taobao shopping. We'll have you spending money on useless stuff online before you know it.
  • Get the ins and outs of Shanghai's latest 'exclusive' members clubs.
www.talkmagazines.cn
 
 

SmartShanghai presents:
Hassle free ticket purchasing and delivery for Shanghai's cultural and concert events.
More of SmartTicket here »

Hot selling:

November 21

Bob James and the Angels of Shanghai

Legendary jazz pianist Bob James will be performing with musicians from the Shanghai Jazz community.

Details & prices »

Daily 7.30pm

ERA

Multi-million dollar show, "ERA: The Intersection of Time," is Shanghai's most popular acrobatic performance featuring aerial walking, bowl balancing and flying trapeze.

Details & prices »