Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip : June 2024

By Sophie Steiner
Buckle up baby, this summer is going to be a steamy ride. Maybe it's the endless plum rains or the record-breaking, undulating heat waves making people go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, but everyone who is anyone seems to opening a restaurant or bar this month.On the flip side, a few too many Shanghai institutions are shutting their doors for good.Some real high highs and low lows felt – a bona fide Shanghai F&B rollercoaster.Goodman, Image by Sophie Steiner/That'sLet's start with the good news, and some big openings, namely Goodman – Shanghai's first and solely smash burger dedicated venue by a powerhouse team of Yaya's (Andrew Moo, Dan Li, and Warren Pang) and Bastard (Jiro Hsu and Michael Janczewski).The crew celebrated their Grand Opening last Thursday to a crowd that spilled onto the street until the wee hours of the morning, even earning a visit from Shanghai's finest.(If the cops don't show up, is it even a party?)Coa, Image by Sophie Steiner/That'sAnother wavemaker of a (re)opening took place mid-month with the Temple to the Agave Gods, Coa Shanghai, reopening following their unexpected closure this past January.Opening night saw lines down the Fuxing Lu block just to snag a coveted seat (mezcal drink in one hand, taco in the other).We've heard it's remained just as busy every day this week; the (well-deserved) hype continues. Ex-Da Vittorio pastry chef Frederic Jaros and wife Xinxin Wu are opening two-story VERIE Bakehouse (standing for Very Effortless Refined Inspiring Everyday) in Xintiandi in early August.The bakery will serve up Michelin-level baked goods, featuring viennoiseries (French style 'bready' breakfast pastries) and birthday cakes on the first floor.