Bon appetit, Shanghai

PRETTY COLORFUL PLATES: Paris Rouge’s lamb shank, stuffed vegetables with pork and stuffed squid. [Photo provided to Shanghai star]

Again plated with artistic flourish, it was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The risotto was cooked such that each grain had a hard centre, just the way the Italians like it.

The portions were just enough to fill a lunch guest up while leaving space for their handmade breads, and, of course, dessert. The Paris-brest hazelnuts puff pastry looked delightfully like a donut, only sliced lengthwise to accommodate a generous piping of hazelnut cream. Lightly dusted with icing sugar and flaked with almonds, it gleamed on the plate, tempting diners to take that first bite.

The stiff yet airy pastry had just the right amount of sweetness, while the hazelnut cream brought back memories of Nutella or a Kinder Surprise, only better.

A drizzle of vanilla and raspberry sauce brought a welcome tartness to the confection, and brought the meal to a sweet conclusion.

Others at the table had the pineapple carpaccio with rosemary sorbet, a summery yet sophisticated dish that pleased their palates, while the red berries tartine with citrus custard also met with approval.

The frothy latte that capped off the meal was just icing on the cake. Good food and good coffee, all wrapped up in a red and gold package that seems straight off the Champs-Elysees. Sign me up. Paris Rouge will soon be opening a patisserie nearby, so we look forward to delightful pastries and bread to take home after visiting the cafe.

IF YOU GO

Paris Rouge Address: 1/F, YWCA Building, 133 Yuanmingyuan Lu (near Beijing Dong Lu) 

Book a table: 5386-6011