Listings:

If you think you've reached the end of Taojiang Lu, keep going and you will stumble upon the gates of O'Malley's, one of the first Irish bars in town. This bar/restaurant is in a mammoth rustic building with a lawn big enough to accommodate large events.

Mural Bar is a mainstay on the Shanghai nightlife scene and a great destination for international music (anything from salsa to hip hop to reggae), which they feature most nights of the week. They also invented the 100rmb all-you-can drink special, which they still offer on Fridays. Cavernous setting with a medium-sized dance floor and ample seating. Party, party, party with a young crowd on...

As one of Shanghai's most popular bars, Zapata's holds court over the entire Hengshan Lu nightlife scene from their outdoor terrace and multiple venue complex. Usually packed any given night of the week, especially their Wednesday ladies night, crowds groove to commercial rock, pop, and hip-hop hits while bartenders pour tequila shots into the mouths of anyone willing to dance on top of the bar....

Haiku is a slick and stylish California-style Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. It is wildly popular among the expat set. Don't even think about coming here without a reservation. By 7pm it's booked solid.

Cotton's chilled-out villa atmosphere is also the place to go if you're not used to Chinese food and don't plan on becoming acclimated. They've done a good job of creating a pretty spot deep within the French Concession where foreigners can feel like they are in Any City. The outdoor dining area recently became a covered patio. Sunday brunch.

Sasha's serves a variety of Continental European dishes with a few Southeast Asian delicacies as well. Equally spacious indoor and outdoor portions of the restaurant with a patio that is renowned throughout town. Cocktails rotate on a seasonal basis. They also provide a weekend brunch with a free-flow champagne option.

La Creperie does indeed serve crepes. From hum-drum Nutella filled dough to the tangy seafood/salad crepe, main courses run the gamut. Some crepes are more successful than others, but the all wood decor, fully bar and English speaking servers make for a fine experience. The owner is not just a Brittany native, but the VP of the Brittany Association -- authenticity is as close you can get...

This is the merging of two restaurants, Yin from the Jinjiang Hotel and Le Garcon Chinois. The cuisine here can best described as Shanghainese and Sichuan. The setting is classy with lots of elegant old-world China style-decor.

The general agreement is that Simply Thai is just okay. Slightly pricey, the food tastes average, looks average, and is sized average. Service is slow and not particularly helpful. Admittedly, the good experiences at Simply Thai outnumber the bad, so it is worth a shot-- the result ultimately depends on the kind of day they're having.

You don't need to a wear a tux to get a get a good kebab - Anadolu's decor is crumbling - but the lamb, hummus and pita are all good quality for cheap. Expect to dine with crowds of slickly-dressed middle easterners most any night of the week.