Scarpetta: A taste of Italy in Shanghai

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience in Shanghai, I highly recommend Scarpetta. In the most unexpected city, you can experience Shanghai’s greatest Italian restaurant.

The polenta in a jar is filled with wild mushroom and eaten with a cheese crisp.scarpetta-polenta
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Porfirio’s

When people suggest going to nice, fancy Mexican restaurants, I always balk because, to me, Mexican food should always be cheap, greasy, and come from a hole in the wall type of establishment. Of all the fancy Mexican places I’ve been to, I find they are too commercialized and don’t hold that authentic flavor you find from the cheaper places. Porfirio’s, a gourmet Mexican restaurant in Cancun, was recommended to me by the hotel concierge at the Westin Lagunamar. Since this recommendation was coming from a local, I went against my judgment and decided to give it a try. Boy, did it not disappoint!

The decor of this establishment was perfect for a romantic date. The indoor seating is lighted with candles and dim lighting to set the mood. Outdoors, they have seating on the patio next to the water fountains and dock.To start the night, I tried the Josefina de guayaba (guava) and mango. These drinks were made with mezcal, which is distilled from an agave plant. The liquor definitely showed through the mango but not the guava one. Continue reading

The Purple Pig

Eat until your heart is content! Their menu focuses on all things pig. They also have a good selection of wine. I ordered the Rioja and it went down smooth as silk. So good that I came back here twice!

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Pork Liver Pate Smear

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Pig’s Ear with Crispy Kale, Pickled Cherry Peppers & Fried Egg- The best pork ears I’ve ever had.

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“JLT” Pork Jowl, Tomato, Frisee & Fried Duck Egg

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Roasted Bone Marrow with Herbs

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Turkey Leg Confit, Crispy Lentils, Treviso, Endive, & Agrodolce

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Pork Tripe Ala Parmigiana with Pork Skin Breadcrumbs

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Salt & Vinegar Beef Tendon Chips

(500 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611)