Judging by how packed Pier 39 (in the same building as Mind Offices) was on a recent trip there Saturday night, we're guessing this little caf¨¦ has already joined the short list of Shanghai soup and sandwich venues able to weather the intense scrutiny of the expat community. Their claim to fame is a signature Clam Chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl (52rmb) -- a tribute to the original from Pier 39 in San Fransisco.

And it doesn't disappoint.

The bread bowl struggles to contain the creamy, chunky chowder that cascades down its sides like volcanic debris. It's a cream and carbohydrate laden Mount Vesuvius that makes my American dining partner tremble with anticipation. At first slurp, there's a muffled moan of nostalgic pleasure and a slow nod of the head to signify that it has hit the spot. In a country where replicas dominate the market, this is one that deserves special commendation. The smooth, thick consistency and the fragments of meat dispersed throughout make the chowder bowl a meal on its own.

The rest of the menu contains your standard caf¨¦ style items; breakfast bagels and croissants (12rmb¨C26rmb), sandwiches (38rmb¨C46rmb), salads (38rmb¨C58rmb) and a limited selection of pastas (38¨C48rmb). The servings, however, are ample and, particularly after an entr¨¦e of clam chowder, there is little room for much else, so it's probably a good thing that the dessert menu presently does not exist. The smoked chicken pasta (48rmb) of diced chicken breast, mushroom and asparagus with penne pasta was nicely done -- gently smothered in a cream sauce that is flavorful without being overly heavy or salty. For the health conscious, the generously-portioned smoked salmon salad doused in their tangy home-made dressing provides a tasty, heart healthy option.

Good for couples or those who dine solo, Pier 39 is great for any time of day. At night, it's cosy -- mostly couples dipping into bowls of chowder by candle light but it's just as pleasant during the day for lunch (15rmb for a cup of chowder -- minus the sourdough bowl -- with any salad or sandwich) or afternoon tea (35rmb set). If there is to be one gripe, it would be the selection of music. What began as lounge music morphed into Rihanna warbling about her umbrella and culminated in Jay Z by the time we'd mai dan'd, but we would happily endure the teeny bop playlist for a repeat performance of chowder and sandwiches.

But if you'd rather not, they do provide free delivery for orders over 50rmb.

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