A touch of class and style brought to Xu Jia Hui this 2010

Located in a quieter part of Xu Jia Hui only 5 mins walk from the metro station, Lounge 842 is not only easy to get to, but also easy to find. As you walk down Heng Shan Road you cannot help but notice the striking green late radiating from the gardens of the building. Behind a high gate and wall, you'll find a quaint and classy Restaurant/ Lounge/ Cocktail bar.

842 Lounge Concept

The concept of Lounge 842 is simple really. It's a place to come to meet new people and have a night out, enjoy a quiet drink, or try some good food should you feel slightly hungry. Whether it be after work during the week, or after one of your weekend shopping binges in one of the various shopping malls, Lounge 842 is definitely somewhere you can relax in a bit of style after whatever kind of day you've had.

The lounge concept/ restaurant consist of 4 levels.

Lounge 842 has main bars on the 1st and 2nd floors, serving a variety of drinks and great cocktails with prices starting at a modest 65 RMB per cocktail. Whilst also housing a contemporary French theme styled restaurant that, the 3rd floor can also be hired for private parties.

The top floor is easily my favourite though. It's a rooftop terrace giving an incredible view of the nearby park, as well as an impressive view of the Xu Jia Hui skyline. Standing on the wooden decking and surrounded by the contemporary furniture, it makes me feel as though I'm on the roof of a villa in the south of France. The décor and the environment give a modern, classy and stylish feel about the place, so probably not the best place to turn up with shorts and sandals on.....

Saying that, I didn't find it too pretentious in my smart casual attire, and even with prices starting at 150 for mains, it didn't feel like the kind of place I couldn't afford if I wanted to go. As I had heard mixed reviews about the place, I was eager to see for myself what the large debate was about. I was greeted by Mikael, the General Manager and, and he kindly recommended a few dishes for me to try.

Simple but Elegant

The fried frogs legs had an unusual but surprisingly pleasant aftertaste, and the deliciously creamy, but not too sweet pumpkin soup was excellent. As for the mains, I was given Mikael's personal favourite. An excellently presented roasted duck, served with roast potatoes and beetroot, topped in a homemade sauce. Although the portion is not the biggest and probably not enough to completely satisfy those with the largest appetites, it's no exaggeration when I say that it's probably the best duck I've ever had...and me being ethnically Chinese, I can promise you I've had a lot of duck in my lifetime. The reason for this, Mikael explains to me, is because the duck takes 2 days to prepare. It is marinated and saturated in a special seasoning for a whole day to give it a unique flavor, before being allowed to dry, and prepared for cooking.

Minimalism is the key

The only criticism I could possibly come up with is that the menu is slightly small. However Mikael explains to me that the concept of the restaurant and lounge is based on minimalism, which is apparent both in the food and the décor. With a choice of Lamb, Beef Steak, Seafood and the special special Duck, I'm probably just so used to be being spoilt by choice due to living in Shanghai. With the courtyard garden accommodating outside seating, it certainly will be a great place to be when the weather starts to warm up to enjoy the spring and summer evenings.

Should you be in the area, why not go and check it out for its relaxed atmosphere and great cocktails? Should you not be in the area, you should make the effort just to try the duck, it is that good.

Opening Hours:  5.00 pm - Late (Will be open for Lunch from 11.30 after Spring Festival)
Address:           HengShan Road, near TianPing Road
Contact Tel:       021- 5466-0842
Transport:         Line 1 - Xu Jia Hui Station
Price:                RMB 200 pp