Upstairs in a century-old villa on Donghu Lu, Fangdu Hotpot is the latest project from the team behind Blaz downstairs — and a slightly unexpected one. The space, designed by Mirabeau Architecture, leans into exposed wooden beams, dark timber, grey brick textures, and warm metallic finishes, creating something that feels halfway between a contemporary Chinese teahouse and a quietly dramatic European dining room. The concept reimagines hotpot as a more polished, slow-paced experience: individual pots, a soup tasting ritual served in shot glasses before choosing your base, and a menu that drifts toward Cantonese influences, with fresh seafood, lighter broths, and even claypot rice. There’s also a private room and a convertible VIP space for gatherings, but the overall mood stays relaxed rather than formal.