There are local flower shops and street vendors all over Shanghai if you just want to make the gesture, but if you're looking to going for broke with a big statement of your eternal and undying love, head to the pros. Here's a quick run-down of Shanghai's professional florists:
Au Nom de la Rose: What's in a name? Au Nom de la Rose on Jianguo Lu is a French import dealing specifically in - of course - roses. They offer a wide range of reasonably priced rose bouquets, as well as other rose-infused home products, including candles, soap and bath confetti.
Annie's Florist: Annie's Florist just might be the most convenient of Shanghai florists, with both a brick-and-mortar and online shop. What's more, book flowers before the 10th and Annie will give you a 10% discount.
The Graces Floral: Mixing Eastern and Western sensibilities, The Graces Floral near Xujiahui has a wide variety of products with a slightly above average price point. They recommend specific bouquets and baskets for sweethearts, teaming flowers with other sweet treats such as fruit, chocolate and wine, starting from 850rmb for all three.
Sebastien: For those with haute couture sensibilities, Sebastien ("the" French floral artist）is the man to see, whether you're after arrangements, consultations, or even classes and demonstrations. His Huashan Lu Hilton store has some rather lovely rose bouquets, and get this: he even did the flowers for Pierce Brosnan's wedding. Expect the prices to match the prestige, but if it's good enough for James Bond...
Rosa Gallica: Tucked away down Ferguson Lane, Rosa Gallica import their flowers all the way from Kunming. Offering bouquets in pretty much any color imaginable, floral arrangements, and flowers in baskets，they'll deliver direct to your Valentine's home or office.
Boutique La Fleur: Located in Sinan Mansions, Boutique La Fleur is a relatively recent arrival on the Shanghai scene. It's a classy kind of joint who fly most of their flowers over from Holland....with prices to match. Expect a bunch of roses to set you back around 200rmb.
For those who express their love through the art of haggling, there are also the requisite flower markets. The big three: The Caojiadu Flower Market in Jing'an is perhaps the most convenient for downtown-dwellers and well worth a wander. There's also a decent selection of fish, should your Valentine have a penchant for things aquatic. Or, for flowers and creatures that fly, head to Hongqiao for the Bird and Flower Market where wooers will be spoilt for choice with tons of sellers touting bouquets, plants and arrangements. Last but not least, Shaanxi Nan Lu by Fuxing Lu is also worthy of a look-see: not so much a market, it's more of a few flower shops in a row and certainly a little calmer than your average market but still offering a decent variety.
Gift Ideas
Chocolate
Chocolate always goes
down a treat on Valentine's Day.
Where Hershey's Kisses scream cliched
cop out, an indulgent selection of quality sweets for your sweet will be sure to melt hearts and win brownie points. First up, there's pricey Belgian brand Godiva, whose shop and upstairs cafe in Xintiandi offer gift packs galore, or, for a personal touch, handpick a selection from their counter. Similarly lovely offerings can be found just around the corner at Eclair, tucked away on the ground floor of the recently-opened Andaz hotel. Nicely packaged in pink and brown, their namesake cakes are delish, chocolates plentiful and prices surprisingly reasonable. No time to hit the shops? Then get Fields to deliver a box of nine lusciously ripe, dark chocolate-dipped strawberries direct to your darling.
Sex Toys
Sex toysmake for a pretty
raunchy Valentine's gift that's sure to spice things up a treat. Whether you're a newcomer to these most adult of accessories or a dab hand, the friendly staff at Amy's Bedroom are on hand to advise and explain their extensive range of outfits and toys. Alternatively head to Oh! Toys on Nanchang who also offer a decent range of products and prices, or, if you'd rather do your shopping online check out Swedish brand Lelo's site for massage candles, remote controlled vibrators, blindfolds and more.
Lingerie
Similarly sexy,consider some
classy lingerie this
Valentine's Day. Although not something to scrimp on, the underwear at the small but perfectly formed L'Amour Toujours on Julu Lu covers a surprising range of European brands for less (think Agent Provocateur and Victoria's Secret) – sizing can be an issue here, but nonetheless it's well worth a peek. If you want to go all out, get thee to La Perla's flagship boutique in the Peninsula Arcade and just try to resist their seductive lingerie, tempting men's attire and gorgeous nightwear. Expensive yes, but definitely worth it.
Valentine's Day Dinners
Feb 14
Locavore chef Austin Hu of Madison is cooking up a five-course couples' dinner with shellfish veloute and crispy oyster and caviar, sea bream with braised heirloom peppers, pan roasted squab with swiss chard, foie glazed radish and bitter chocolate, lobster steak, and warm chocolate cake with crispy hazelnut cream and brown butter ice cream. 1314rmb per couple. Includes two glasses of champange.
Feb 14
I.Z.K.Y. izakaya in the Guoman Hotel is serving a Japanese set meal featuring Japanese classics like monkfish liver, assorted sashimi, snow crab salad, chocolate cake and more. 888rmb+15% per couple.
Feb 14
Ambrosia Fenyang Lu is offering two multi-course yakiniku and teppanyaki Valentine's Day dinner menus featuring delicacies like Matsusaka steak, lobster, Kobe beef, and abalone. 1688rmb+10% per couple. Includes two complimentary cocktails. The first 40 couples to book a table will receive a "Paris Wedding" cash voucher worth 300rmb.
Feb 14
German fine dining restaurant Kafer by the Binjiang One is preparing a five-course dinner for two featuring foie gras, pan seared scallops and tiger prawns, wagyu beef and chocolate cake. 1314rmb per couple. Includes two bellinis.
Feb 14
Shanghai's culinary power couple are serving three special menus to celebrate Valentine's Day, featuring some of Chef Paul Pairet's creative classics like "Boston Lobster in a Citrus Jar," "Smoked Salmon Essential," and "Picnic Chicken Aioli." 888rmb per person gets you three courses, 1000rmb gets you four, or for 1600rmb per person there is the "The Lover's Splurge" featuring everything from caviar to Aussie wagyu rib eye to seared foie gras with lime-ginger meringue. Service starts at 6.30.
Feb 14
The Waldorf Astoria's all-day dining restaurant Grand Brasserie sets the mood for romance with a five-course dinner of Fine de Claire oysters, scallops and Aussie veal tenderloin, a specially crafted "passion" dessert. and more. Cost is 888rmb+15% per person and includes a glass of Moet rose champagne and a gift for the ladies. Add 400rmb and their sommelier will throw in wine pairings with each course as well.
Feb 14
Newcomer Hai Pai in the Andaz hotel offers a five-course candle-lit dinner for two featuring delicacies like foie gras, champagne risotto and pan-fried beef tenderloin with truffle, and, for dessert, a bomb Alaska in the shape of a flaming heart with passion fruit sorbet and cream cake. Ladies will also receive a special gift from the restaurant. 980rmb+15% per couple. Includes two glasses of Perrier-Jouet champagne.
Feb 14
Alchemist cocktail kitchen serving up a sweet and slow-cooked menu of fried goat's cheese beignets with arugula, beetroot honey, sweet corn risotto, veal ossobucco with pancetta and bone marrow, and more. 888rmb per couple. Cost includes a complimentary glass of Moet rose.
Feb 14
They managed to put out the flames last fall when the Jia hotel almost burned down. Now Issimo is reigniting them for Valentine's Day with a menu for two including a grilled seafood combination with a rose and mint infusion or oven-roasted beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms on soft polenta and four other courses. 1088rmb+15% per couple. Special rates are also available for the Jia Hotel's suites.
Feb 14
Chef Stefan Stiller's menu is several courses of sophisticated continental cuisine. The evening starts with an apertif of sparkling wine and canapes and goes onto dishes like cured salmon with oyster-cucubmer salad, seared turbot fillet with morels and green asparagus risotto, stuffed beef tenderloin with polenta, mushrooms and zuchinni and sun-dried tomatoes, a dessert of cream cheese dumplings and vanilla ice cream with strawberry mousse and rhubarb compote. Dinner costs 1688rmb+10% per couple.
Feb 14
An affordable dinner for a beau and belle is available at Southern Belle. 260rmb per couple gets you a four-course dinner including a choice of barbecued pork or beef tenderloin, or quarter chicken. Bottles of wine are on special for 125rmb. There will also be live performances of both kinds of music: country and western.
Feb 14
The Hotel Indigo has several Valentine's Day packages available, starting with a six-course dinner at Char. 1999rmb per couple gets you a beef filet with mushroom, foie gras crust and truffle jus, black cod with star anise and lime syrup, lobster bisque and more. For 2999rmb per couple, you can get all that plus an overnight stay in room with a Bund view and breakfast in Quay. 9999rmb per couple gets you dinner for two in your very own suite and breakfast the next day.
For those going stag, 1099rmb gets you the opportunity to mingle in Char bar over cocktails and canapes before sitting down to Valentine's day dinner.
Feb 14
Mistral restaurant begins the evening with a red rose & a glass of sparkling wine and then serves a dinner of Mediterranean delicacies such as seafood and beef tournedos, ending with Chef Abel’s special heart-shaped dessert. 588rmb per person.
Feb 14
Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen hosts candle-lit Valentine's Day dinner in its century old mansion on Jiangyin Lu. 1280rmb per couple gets you five courses of some aphrodisiacal deliacies like a Fin de Claire oyster amuse bouche, seared Maine scallop and wagyu tenderloin and short ribs. Includes two glasses of French bubbly. Optional wine pairing available for 680rmb extra.
Feb 14
Tavola offers a fitting prelude to the amorous pursuits of the evening with and Italian dinner on the riverfront. A special six-course dinner features dishes like foie gras with balsamico marinated duck breast, frutti di mare over angel hair, grilled beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms and more. 999rmb per person. Includes a glass of champagne with strawberries.
Feb 14
The Stage at Westin has two Valentine's Day options. Go stag for 398rmb+15% and get unlimited access to buffet in all of its gluttonous glory--Beijing duck, crab legs, Chinese steamers, pastas, soups--with a glass of bubbly. Couples pay 1520net and get a bottle of Veuve Clicquot rosé. Also, all guests are eligible for a chance to win a romantic stay for two with breakfast in bed.
Feb 14
Valentine's dinner at El Patio is a modish Spanish affair with foie mousse with apple and black truffle, prawn tartar with avocado and arugula sprouts, wild sea bass with black rice, beef tenderloin Sotobaosque style and, everybody's favorite, "chocolate textures." 688rmb per person. Includes two glasses of Cava, Chivite Gran Feudo chardonnay, and Arroyo Ribera del Duero.
Feb 14
Jimmy's Kitchen in the Jinjiang Hotel seeks to relive the romance of Old Shanghai with a six course sharing menu. Includes a choice of soups, four appetizers, and mains like prime rib as well as a chocolate lovers indulgence for dessert. 988rmb per couple.
Feb 14
Maya Mexican restaurant celebrates love Mexican style with a six-course dinner of delicacies like chips with guacamole and strawberry chipotle salsa, wild mushroom soup with black truffle creme and manchego chips, slow-roasted smoked chipotle beef short ribs, and more. 888rmb per couple. Includes two glasses of bubbly, rose, or a strawberry cocktail.
Feb 14
Chicha Latin lounge offers an evening of romantic Latin music, aphrodisiac cocktails and an eight-course sharing dinner by Eduardo Vargas featuring tuna ceviche, seared scallops, twice cooked pork, pan roasted codfish, flourless chocolate squares and more. 375rmb per person. Includes one cocktail.
Feb 14
Xintiandi institution T8 is serving a seven-course “Togetherness Menu” featuring ingredients with aphrodisiacal qualities like sea urchin cappuccino, sferic oyster and pearl, roasted Australian beef tenderloin (for Adam) and a low-temperature cooked Boston lobster (for Eve). 688rmb per person. Three-course abbridged version available after 9pm for 498rmb.
Feb 14
Former Fulton Place owner Nat Alexander teams up with Chef Vinh Ngyuen of The Grumpy Pig to prepare a pork-centric V-Day dinner. It starts with an amusé of chicharron with a Thai pico de gallo, then onto a consommé with olive oil-poached shrimp, and a green salad with pancetta, slow cooked eggs and a fish sauce vinaigrette. For mains, you get a choice of pork ragu gnocchi or an oven roasted porgetta with red rum apple sauce. Dessert is about the only pork-free part of the meal, a chocolate tart with sea salt and ginger-caramel petit four. 300rmb per person. 30 seats available. Call 150-2688-6215 for bookings.
Feb 14
An eminently affordable dinner for two, Cafe Sambal is serving a six course dinner of tuna and mango salad, satay beef, spicy sweet potato soup, grilled salmon, ayam opor with roti jale, strawberry panacotta and chocolate mousse cake and more. The cost includes a choice of mimosa or kir royale. 399rmb per couple.
Feb 14
Kathleen's welcomes an "Eternal Flame" cocktail, teases with a shellfish consommé, seduces with Pacific halibut, and basks in after-glow with a dessert sampler of Valrhona chocolate fondant terrine, vanilla bean creme brulée and warm strawberry cake. All of that and more, four courses total. 498rmb per person.
Feb 14
Simple, cozy Le Saleya Bistro has four courses of classic French cuisine on offer starting with a flamed beef carpaccio and a green salad with scallops. For the main, you get a choice of salmon with champagne sauce, or rack of lamb, and for dessert, their signature Profiteroles. 398rmb per person. Dinner is available at both the original branch and Le Petit Saleya.
Feb 14
Inagiku in the Marriott Hotel City Centre is doing a special eight-course dinner for two featuring "snow crab with egg, cucumber," "salmon & avocado, grilled eel," "Australian wagyu strip loin beef steak, apple and wine sauce," "black tea ice cream" and more for 1488rmb Net per couple. Overnight stay packages with breakfast for two are also available for 2468rmb.
Feb 14
The Market all-day dining restaurant in the Guoman Hotel features a Valentine's Day dinner buffet spread featuring a variety of international delicacies. 388rmb+15% per person. Includes one cocktail, a box of chocolates for the table, a rose for the couple, a special heart-shaped cake to share and coffee and tea.
Feb 14
Up-market teppanyaki eatery Ambrosia at the Expo is preparing a special multi-course Japanese dinner for Valentine's Day, featuring delicacies like matsuzaka steak and lobster. 1688rmb+10% per couple.
Feb 14
Paulaner Brauhaus's Expo location is serving a three-course sharing menu for two featuring smoked salmon, a surf and turf platter, and dessert combo plate. 398rmb per couple.
Feb 14
Man Ho Cantonese restaurant in the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre is serving a special Valentine's Day dinner for two, featuring pan fried king prawns with soy sauce, roasted cod fish, braised yifu noodles and more. 1188 Net per couple. Includes 2 glasses of pink champagne, one pink rose, a box of chocolates, and a heart-shaped strawberry cheesecake. Include an overnight stay to the package for 2008rmb.
Feb 14
Sasha's upstairs eatery Prime 1921 is cooking up five-courses for two. Features dishes like their foie gras "1921," sea bass with clams scallop cream and zucchini flower, Valrhona chocolate souffle and more. 999rmb per couple. Includes two glasses of bubbly, a rose for the lady, and the bill for the gent.
Feb 14
If you've got yi wan to drop on your dearest this Valentine's, Three on the Bund is offering a package with the Midas touch. Limos will ferry you to and from Three on the Bund where you'll receive a couples' massage and facial at the Evian Spa, then an eight-course dinner at The Cupola including a private butler, who will butle you senseless all night, and keep your flutes brimming with two bottles' worth of Champagne. Package costs 9999rmb plus 10%.
Feb 14
Brix gets all special for Valentine’s Day. Take her (or him) out to a nice meal on the Bund. Chef Mario has a special 4 course Valentine’s menu for 2 at 268rmb. Dinner from 6pm. Call ahead for reservations.
Feb 14
Bella Mia pizzeria and Italian restaurant celebrates Valentines Day with a romantic dinner with an aphrodisiacal dinner of specialties like "oysters with sea bass tartar and Spanish ham," "Saffron Risotto with shrimp cream and black truffle" and "amaretto and chocolate parfait with raspberry sauce." The cost is 398rmb per person. Includes a "Red Passion cocktail" and a "gift."
Feb 14
Brasserie La Fourchette is preparing a romantic share-able multi-course dinner four two. It starts with a choice of lobster bisque or rock oysters, then a share plate of foie gras terrine with Sauternes jelly, beef tartare, and a king prawn. For mains, a choice of poached salmon or roasted Aussie veal cutlet. For a dessert, a chocolate fondant and champagne savarin. 788rmb per couple.
Feb 14
It's an evening of culinary esoterica at La Table by Maison Pourcel. An nine-course dinner of dishes like turbot fillet with grey shrimp puree, poultry ball and bacon stuffed with morel mushrooms and duck liver, radish and lobster ravioli with Cumbawa dressing, large scallops with asparagus and bubble of spine barberry. That's 1998rmb per couple and includes two glasses of Moet Rose.
Feb 14
An eclectic five-course dinner awaits at Fossette wine bar. Dinner starts with a platter of canapes like parma ham and melon and salmon with sour cream, a beef consomme with foie and black truffle, avocado dip with beef tartar, a choice of red snapper or Provence style lamb chop and, for dessert, chocolate hot pot for two. 666rmb per couple. Two seatings: 6.30 and 8.30pm.
Feb 14
Piro is in the mood for love with a prix fixe menu that includes a fresh salad, soup, USDA striploin steak or shrimp scampi, pasta and a dessert like strawberry ribbon cheesecake with Oreo crust. 588-688rmb per couple. Reservations are essential. There will be two seatings: 5.30pm and 8.30.
Feb 14
"Love...love will tear us apart again." Gothic-themed south Bund restaurant and club Haven is serving scallops with caviar and cherries, foie gras with brioche, lobster bisque, cod fillet with pimento and green olives, slow-roasted Angus beef and seasonal mushrooms, and for dessert, Haven flavors, a taste of all of Haven's desserts. 1100rmb per person. Includes a glass of champagne.
Feb 14
Newly opened Belgian beer bar De Refter has a dinner for lovers and lovers of beer. 468rmb gets you a garden salad, "lovers' soup," a platter of pommes frites, bacon mushroom rolls, and chicken wings, choice of fish or sirloin steak with Black pepper and mushroon sauce and a heart-shaped apple pie. The cost includes a premium draft beer for the gentleman and a beer cocktail for the lady.
until Feb 19
Former Gordon Ramsay acolyte Jason Atherton's take on Valentine's Day consists of quirky creations like seaweed tapenade, marinated hamachi with prawn gazpacho, roasted scallops with glazed chicken wings and parsley risotto, roasted sirloin, braised beef short rib, and bone marrow. And then three courses of sweets. 780rmb per couple. Add 299rmb per couple. Also, the menu's available from Feb 9-19 if you can't get in on the 14th.
Valentines Parties
Feb 14
Banging Top 40 / mash up club, Sky hosts a Valentines Day kissing contest to compliment the usual open bar debauchery. Bring your date or find one there to compete for the grand prize: 100rmb and one bottle of champagne. 100rmb gets you open bar for two. Doors at 10pm. Contest at 11:50pm.
Feb 14
Sexy and beautiful but still single? Lux drinks lounge Brownstone hosts a singles party for Valentine's Day. Let their "Master Fortune Teller" read your palms and direct you to the most compatible love match of the night. Ayala Rose Champagne for 688 RMB/bottle all night. No entry fee.
Feb 14
Special shows and dances for Valentine's Day at Phebe 3D. 100rmb open bar special keeps things lubricated. Music is Top 40 and hip-hop.
Feb 17
Whether you're single and loving life or are miserable and rebounding from that not-so-special Valentine's blind date, why not hop on a party bus, meet lots of friendly people, get wasted and try go home with (or get the number of) someone new? Courtesy of Lelo, pub crawl is giving away free sex toys to the most scantily clad or ridiculously dressed pub crawlers. Price: 150rmb with reservation, 180 at the door. Meet at O'Malley's at 9:30pm.
