Ferrying you into the weekend with the usual roundup of Food and Bev Industry happenings. Click on the jump for what’s happening around town RE: wonderful things to put in your mouth.

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Openings, Closings: Yes, Taco Bell. And Some Other Stuff.

Here's the beef: Inside the new Beef & Liberty

All else pales in comparison to the Taco Bell empire finally coming to Puxi, but a bunch of other things are opening too. Something called Shadows is looking very much like a cocktail bar and very posed to open in United Way at Changle Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. Something looking very much like a cafe called Delizia is in the construction cocoon on Fumin Lu. After a few weeks of inactivity the Midnight Burger signage has finally gone up at their Xiangyang Lu location — look for them to be open in a few weeks or earlier. Chef Carl Ma behind the Sea Horse Sushi and Raki brands is opening a Tapas restaurant called Fuego. And three cheers for scale-able seafood: Poke Poke is opening another branch in the Kerry Center.

A Very Important New York Cake Store called Lady M opened their Shanghai outlet in the Luijiazui IFC Mall to throngs and throngs of people. And it’s a confectionery shop in a mall so of course there is massive lines. Two hours wait at least, apparently. We’ll send some hapless SmSh staff member down there next week to see what the deal is.

Paulaner’s Raffles City location is now open, and looking to angle itself as their new HQ in Puxi. With a capacity of 600 guests, they’re going to be hosting the big Oktoberfest party this year.

Signs of life on Yongkang Lu: Sushi'O is back open serving wonderful raw fish on the erstwhile bar street.

And if you missed it: On our Radar this week was Le Bouchon, entering third third decade with a fresh out look; a new sandwhich shop The Deli Boys; and a peek inside Beef & Liberty’s Xiangyang Lu location is officially open from 5pm today.

Shed a tear for: Big Bamboo Nanyang (which is now The Blind Ping), Arcade (in it's final month),Kathleen's Waitan (closing September 23).

Fancy New Menus from Fancy Older Places

Keep it classy all day long: Breakfast and lunch now available at Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire

Do you like fancy food in fancy, fancy restaurants! Yes! Of course you do! Pelham's in the Waldorf Astoria is revamping their offerings with new Executive Chef Philippe Egalon: “Creative delights are such as Nigiri Sushi Bon Bon, Ceviche Tortilla Salad and Black Angus Tenderloin served with gingered porcini, asparagus and soy bean sprout caramel.” Well! Meanwhile, across town, Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A la carte ordering. But a free-flow champagne deal is available for 388rmb from 11.30am on the weekends. Just thought you’d like to know.

Anniversaries, Opening Events: Two Decades of Zapata’s

Two decades of bar-top tomfoolery for Hengshan Lu party place Zapata's.

Errrrybody’s got a party on this weekend. Zapata's and Sasha’s turn 20 on September 28. Details TBA. Kakadu turns 10. With... 10rmb Fish & Chips until Sunday (with the purchase of a drink). Damn. Congrats to them. Milestones indeed. The Rooster is turning two. Lychee is hosting an (invite only) Grand Opening event this Saturday. Boteco, your Brazilian HQ down in the Found 158 sunken city, is doing a more populist party from 1pm on Saturday.

Finally, let’s not forget that SmartShanghai is for the children: The Mansion is soft opening Saturday night after a few months of renovations.

Good times are here to stay!

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