We went to El Willy yesterday to celebrate my friends birthday. Because we were with 6, we could try a lot of different food. The plates were being attacked as if nobody had eaten for a year as the presentation was great and the taste even better. One of the few restaurants in Shanghai that I have been to that have the food, the atmosphere, and the view all in one. (deserts were absolutely fantastic(!)) The dimmed lights and music made us stay in the table for a long time. The birthday girl had to conclude it was a perfect night and we also found this a real 'dining experience'! And we were pleasantly surprised when we saw the bill. Must go.

Reading some of the reviews and hype on this place makes me really wander if I went to the right place.?
I must admit going to their original Donghu Lu venue was part of the whole deal of El Willy... I thought I would try their new super hyped Bund location.

Whilst I love the decor and setting, and view must can be said for the none existent service or average un-fresh and overpriced croquettes....
The bustling female manager (presumably Spanish?) seemed to only wanting to go to any table who spoke the mother language whilst simply ignoring our table of 5 completely.... not even a hello or good bye as she pretended to be scribbling notes on the host stand....

The setting was complete when we had a couple of smokers near by.. (we were never asked if we wanted smoking or none smoking) surely for a restaurant of this prestige and supposedly the best Spanish food in the city would looks at this?
When asking the server (in chinese) if we could move tables for people smoking ... the waiter stood and looked like a lost sheep, he went to check with someone but we are still awaiting his answer !!

The highlight of the dinner was the 500rmb (NZ) Wine ordered... says it all.


Whilst the ambiance was good and this restaurant and the decor is improved its just to me another overpriced restaurant on the Bund,

I went that last week with a business contact, wonderful ambiance and food was delicious. We were two ladies, so we had four tapas and wine and shared a dessert. The cold octopus with serrano ham was divine, and the garlic shrimp was great (I love tapas and last time at Bocado, the garlic shrimp tasted frozen). Salad with egg and salmon over lentil were both delicious too. El Willy maintained its magic touch !!

I recently tried out the new El Willy and was very impressed.

Space: Now I will admit, I was worried that the relocation to the Bund would result in a loss of the funky charm of the old El Willy. But, once I walked in the door, any apprehension I had disappeared. The restaurant is beautiful, warm, and inviting. It is not pretentious at all and feels like you could be in Spain. My only complaint would be that I wish you did not have to leave the cozy el Willy space to get to the restroom.

Food & Service: I was pleased to find all of my favorite dishes still on the menu and executed perfectly! Even happier to see the prices had not shot up to match those of other Bund restaurants. There were also some new additions. We shared the "Explosive Balik Salmon". Truffled-honey with smoked salmon and a cream-stuffed crisp, it is a delicious new option! Seafood was fresh and flavorful. Service was was friendly and very smooth. I could not tell the restaurant was in its soft opening stages because the staff were so on point.

It was a magical night and I am glad to say the new el Willy is an even more delightful dining experience than the old.

El Willy is in danger of damaging its brand.
Whereas its old location was airy and friendly, the new one is generic and loud. For 650RMB, I left hungry. Instead of focusing on food and people, El Willy now relies on its name and a Bund view. The friendly Spanish staff were absent, and other staff delivered food but nothing more. For tapas, I will now go to Bocado or to my own kitchen.