Le Garcon Chinois, Shanghai

I am a regular costumer of this restaurant. My last visit was in August (few days ago). And I was very dessapoint for the quality of the food. Before the food was tasty and well presented but now is insipid, full of oil and the presentation is very bad. The spanish omelett was very old and overcooked, the ham croquetts very oily. I asked the waiter the reason for the low quality and she told me that before they have a Spanish cheff but now the cheff is chinese. So please change the name too: from Le garcon chinose, to Le garcon et le cuisinier chinose.

Le Garcon Chinoise is located in a back-alley of Hengshan Road in a gorgeously renovated old villa. It has two restaurants, Spanish food downstairs (and a really nich bar) and upstairs there is a Vietnamese place. The place is owned and run by Japanese, who tolerate nothing less than 100% perfection. Perfection does not come cheap, so whoever is looking for a cheap fill should look elsewhere. Both restaurants excel. Paella as a dish is not really that climactic anywhere in the world. Tapas and the squid ink dishes are just divine. The Spanish red wine Blood of the Bull is just unbleivably good at this price, and fits best to most of the dishes. A place where I regularly go to, to escape the culinary rape & abuse by most 'high class' restaurants in Shanghai.

We had a great meal here. We started with drinks in the quiet bar and were politely escorted to our table when it was ready. The restaurant was busy but we good good service and the food was fantastic. Overall a pleasant night out and a superb spot for a romantic dinner.