Da Ivo — Restaurant in Shanghai

I recently dined at the restaurant during Restaurant Week for a Friday lunch, and while the location on the 23rd floor of Les Suites Orients hotel on the Bund offers stunning views of the Huangpu River, my overall experience left much to be desired.

I opted for a window seat and was treated to breathtaking vistas, although the opulent décor veered into kitsch territory, detracting from any sense of Italian sophistication. Despite the Murano artworks adorning the space, crafted by Italian artisans, the heavy decoration diminished their value.

Unfortunately, the lack of Italian staff, even in the kitchen visible from my table, was noticeable. The lunch experience felt rushed and impersonal, with several details overlooked, such as wine being served without presentation, cutlery misplaced, and orders forgotten. Additionally, there was a dearth of explanations for the dishes served.

My bill totaled around RMB500, which felt reasonable considering the prime location and impressive views. Despite the shortcomings, I may give it another chance for dinner.

Beginning with a glass of prosecco paired with the Salmon appetizer, the presentation was basic and the smoked salmon unremarkable. The standout dish was the M5 Wagyu tenderloin accompanied by truffle-flavored mashed potatoes and port wine sauce. The meat was tender and cooked to perfection, with the delicate potatoes complementing it well.

I opted for a glass of Chianti Castello Sonnino 2021, a medium to full-bodied wine with enticing acidity, velvety tannins, and concentrated flavor, to accompany the meal.

Following the tenderloin, a pasta dish was served, albeit confusingly after the main course. Despite the timing, the sausage penne with tomatoes and basil was decent, cooked al dente, although the sauce was slightly runny.

The dessert, unfortunately, lacked description, leaving me unable to identify its ingredients. It consisted of an overly sweet green sponge cake adorned with chocolate decorations.

In conclusion, while the restaurant offers stunning views and some enjoyable dishes, the overall experience was marred by rushed service, lack of attention to detail, and a disconnect from its purported...

When you come to a restaurant like this, the primary consideration is the view, not the food. Unfortunately for us, it was a rainy, foggy night so the view wasn't as great as it could be.

But that was more than made up by the excellent service and food. The waiters were comfortable speaking English and they were attentive without being intrusive.

The seafood was fresh - the grilled squid was perfect - not chewy and rubbery. The food overall was decent, the desserts were very good.

Some reviewers have griped about the prices, but again, when you come to a restaurant like this, you can't expect low prices. Their rental to give you that view certainly would be expensive!

For dinner with a fantastic view of the Bund, I would...

Sometimes a view is so good, it’s easy to overlook a meal. If the view is your priority, go here! If the food is, run in the opposite direction. Examples: the cheese board consisted of a decent bleu and brie, as well as an interesting choice of parmesan and a mini cheesecake, garnished by an elegant pile of pistachios and saltine crackers. We then shared the gritty spaghetti with clams and a bolognese which was possibly imported but of the canned variety. The staff was very quirky and friendly and the Negroni was...