Sasha’s, Taste a Piece of History

One of the cool things about China is that there is valuable history in almost every corner of its vast territory. Even in some of the most ordinary places around this country, you can find a story worth telling. You might find a piece of land where a major battle was fought, where a famous person once stood, or even stumble across the location of mythological legend.

This is especially true in Shanghai, where so many of China's major historical events have taken place. Wars, agreements, revolutions, Yao Ming (yes, seriously)…..so many important things have happened and so much history lies in plain sight, right here in Shanghai. One of these gems happens to be on the corner of Dong Ping Lu and Hengshan Lu, where the former Soong Family Mansion is located.

People unfamiliar with the Soong family name better recognize. This family, and particularly the three Soong daughters, were heavily influential figures in China at the turn of the 20th century. All three married well-respected, powerful individuals of their contemporary, including Sun Yat Sen, former President of the Chinese Republic, and General Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the Kuomintang.

Through their connections and participation in government affairs, the Soong family hosted members of elite society, leaders of China, and conducted official government business in the Soong Family Mansion. And in 1943, the mansion was taken over by the Japanese Army during the Sino-Japanese War.

The Soong Family, one of Shanghai's most influential

Today, life inside the mansion is much less tense and a lot more carefree. Named after the alleged Russian mistress of Charlie Soong, Sasha's Restaurant and Bar is the current resident of the family mansion. And while decisions about military tactics and the goals of the Chinese Presidency were once the business of the Soong Family Mansion, the only affairs being discussed these days usually involves gourmet food and stiff cocktails (hmm, maybe it's not so different).

Much like the mansion itself, Sasha's has been around for many years and has gone through a lot of changes. The downstairs island bar sits in the middle of what used to be the guest living room. Laced with characteristics typical of French Concession-era design from the 1920's, the entire downstairs space is one of the best places in Shanghai to relax and enjoy a happy hour cocktail.

But the real story about Sasha's in 2011 is what's going on upstairs, at Prime 1921, in what used to be the bedrooms, changing rooms, and Soong family living room. Re-opened last month, Prime 1921 is Sasha's fine dining alter-ego that is trying to re-establish itself as one of Shanghai's premier restaurants.

Upstairs at Prime 1921, the former Soong family bedrooms and living room