Mad About Shanghai

Two Fantastic Dining Events This Week

Chef Colagreco recently earned the 28^th spot in San Pellegrino’s list of the 50 best restaurants worldwide, for his restaurant Mirazur, in Menton, France.From June 13-15th, Chef Colagreco himself will be in town in Shanghai, and there will be two special dining events held at Unico/Colagreco.

Recently Unico won the "Best bar of the year" and "Best cocktail bar of the year" awards from City Weekend Reader's Choice Awards 2013, and Colagreco won "Best Mediterranean." Colagreco also won "Best Restaurant 2013" from Esquire Awards.

Indulge your taste buds this week!

 

World premiere at "Auto China 2013": The new E-Class as a long-wheelbase version

"Auto China 2013" in Shanghai sets the stage for the world premiere of the long version of the new E-Class. Developed for the growth market in China, it offers 14 centimetres more legroom in the rear. It also sports a finely honed design exuding an overall character of poised refinement and boasts markedly enhanced comfort and a high standard of equipment and appointments. Three petrol engines covering an output range from 150 to 245 kW with automatic transmission as standard provide for dynamic performance coupled with exemplary driving comfort. With these assets, the long version of the new E-Class sets a new standard for the luxury segment. 

The long version of the new E-Class radiates status and effortless superiority, meeting the Chinese market's expectations of luxury vehicles more effectively than the comfortable E-Class with standard wheelbase. Measuring 5019 millimetres in length and with a wheelbase of 3014 millimetres, the long version, which is to be built exclusively in China, is 140 millimetres longer overall than the E-Class saloon which is being marketed worldwide. This results in 14 centimetres more legroom in the rear of the five-seater. An exclusively appointed interior conjures up a prestigious and congenial atmosphere. For special convenience, the front passenger seat can also be electrically adjusted from the rear. 

Design: two new front-end designs to choose from 

In keeping with the entire E-Class family, intelligent modifications to the design provide the long version with a new front end as well as new proportions. When it came to the modifications, the designers followed the new Mercedes design idiom and reinterpreted the classical design values of the brand using the existing basis. The result is a superior and refined, dynamic appearance.
 
The headlamps have been redesigned and comprise all functional elements with a single headlamp lens. Flowing light elements within the headlamps help to ensure that the essential lines of the "four-eyed" look which is typical of the E-Class are retained. When it comes to light and visibility, the new E-Class sets standards: both the low-beam headlamps and the integrated daytime running lamps feature LED technology as standard.  

For the first time, the long-wheelbase E-Class is available with two different front ends: the Sedan features the classic, three-dimensional saloon radiator grille in three-louvre look with the Mercedes star on the bonnet. The Sport Sedan comes with the sporty front end featuring a centrally positioned star to create a distinctive, emphatically dynamic look.  

A new feature line and a repositioned three-dimensional trim strip give the long version of the Saloon new proportions with an exciting appearance. A new structural line runs below the feature line from the rear door through to the tail light. This lends the vehicle a longer look. It underscores the side trim, which has been shifted downwards. Overall the E-Class looks more elongated and elegant.  

At the rear, the lights and bumper have been revised. The new horizontally structured LED tail lights with new two-tone look emphasise the width and feature a characteristic night design. 

Auto Shanghai 2013 : Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz unveiled some pretty interesting models at the Shanghai Auto show recently. Once again, I bring you some exclusive photos.

Mercedes Benz GLA Concept:

Mercedes Benz E Class Long Week Base:

Smart :

Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz

Exclusive : Shanghai Grand Prix F1 2013

I bring you some exclsuive photos of the China Grand Prix :

Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz

Lunar New Year Fireworks 2013

Let the fireworks begin!

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, especially during the countdown, one can hear the sound of  fireworks cooking off for hours even in the suburban areas. Yes, this is how the Chinese like to celebrate.

Some of these fireworks are improvised and homemade too.

(Photos from Regine)

White Christmas

Just a few days more to Christmas!

Without doubt, this is one of my favourite holiday in the calendar year.

I remembered about 5 years ago, I was drinking coffee on a rather cold night with Vivian at a cafe at Huaihai road. It was just a few weeks before Christmas and the decorations for the season has all gone up at all the shopping malls. A boy walked up to me with a cup asking for money. Perhaps due to the Christmas season, his facial expression then, one of innocence, maturity with a tinge of desparation actually touched me. I think he, depsite his tender years, was trying to gather money for some purpose.  Since then, almost every Christmas, I wondered how that little boy is doing now.

I am sure all of you have your own fair share of Christmas stories too. If you have one, do share with other readers as well via the comments section.

As there is no sight of snow in Shanghai yet, I share with you some photos of snow but from Beijing, with compliments from my friend Angeline. 

Two New Art Museums Opens in Shanghai

Two new art museums recently opened at the site of the Shanghai World Expo 2010,in a bid to further liven up the arts scene in this vibrant city.

The China Art Museum is intended to be the premier location for modern art in not only Shanghai or China but in the world. The "scale and configuration"  rivals the top art museums in the world. It resides in the former China Pavilion at the expo ground, the star pavilion then.

The focus of the museum would be on Chinese art. Yes.They got it right this time .I remembered when I went there about a year ago, there was Picasso exhibition inside the China Pavilion which I thought was a bit odd. Isn't the former China Pavilion suppose to showcase all things good about China instead of a "foreign" exhitbit?

The second museum also opens at the same expo ground. The Power Station of Art gets its name from the former power station building that was used for the expo. Its focus would be on contemporary art and would be home to the annual Shanghai Art Festival.

For those of you that cannot get enough from these two art establishments, do visit Moganshan Road too!

Shanghai Restaurant Week (3 to 9 Sep)

Shanghai F1 Grand Prix 2012

This week is F1 week in Shanghai!

From 13 to 15 April, all the frenzy and action would revolve around the 4.51 km track.

I bring you some exclusive photos from the Mercedes F1 team:

Post race update : Nico Rosberg won it for Mercedes in Shanghai! It was a long long time since Mercedes last won as an outright team.

Shanghai Restaurant Week (March 5-11)

How to make a reservation

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