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Le Garcon Chinois

Ssssh it's a secret - By Hien, Jul 16, 07

Although it has existed for longer than anyone can remember, Le Garcon Chinois is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in dining and bars in Shanghai. It's reputation is known by those in-the-know, and it was even featured in Wen Hui notorious novel, Shanghai Baby. This gem is tucked away behind a laneway next to Yang's Kitchen and adjacent to Zapata's and Secret Garden on Hengshan Lu.

Inside you'll find 2 storeys: one is a quaint little bar serving some of the best cocktails in Shanghai, mixed by a Japanese bar tender who really knows her stuff. As well on this floor they serve Tapas.

Unfortunately, however, I cannot comment on said tapas as the dozens of times I have eaten at Le Garcon Chinois I have always headed straight for the Vietnamese on the third floor. It perhaps seems unusual to have an establishment that serves dishes from opposite sides of the globe, Vietnam and Spain, but for some reasons it works. I can only resolve this within my own head that perhaps Spanish Tapas works better with the bar.

For Vietnamese upstairs, hum where should I begin? Those who know me or have read my other blogs, know that I am particularly crazy about food from the place I was born, almost to a point of obsession. I've even started to grow my own mints at home. But anyway enough about me. I have been meaning to write about this place for some time but for some reason, never got around to it. Big Apologies!
Those of you who love Vietnamese food as much as I do, know about the importance of herbs and mints, and finally in Shanghai, we have a place that delivers. And they don't just offer you 2 or 3 leaves of basil either; they give you a generous platter of these wonderful fragrant leaves which you should never have to ask for. As soon as the basil arrives, it's obvious that someone at this restaurant knows what they doing. This goes a long way as it shows to me that they respect their customers taste and knowledge, whether or not you even like mints. The food itself is not only delicious but authentic, although perhaps some dishes rely on onions a little too much to bulk up the quantity.

Some of the dishes I highly recommend are:
Mango Salad
Nem Springroll
Vietname pancake (Banh Xeo)
Deep fried tamarind garoupa

Don't worry about the fact that I have not included the prices, it's all fairly reasonably priced and won't burn a hole in your pocket.

They also have a decent selection of White wines to choose from, perfect for Vietnamese food.

Le Garcon Chinois - No 3, Lane 9 Hengshan Lu - Map, Pictures and Taxi Printout here

Editor's Note: Sacre Bleu. Le Garcon Chinoise no longer offers Vietnamese dishes. They do, however, still boast a wide range of cuisines on their three floors including that holy grail of Shanghai fine dining: the modern take on the Chinese classic.

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