When dining out in Shanghai, it's not only the quality of the food that attracts the city's gourmands. Many enterprising businesses are now alighting on the idea of themed restaurants as a way to attract the city's spoilt-for-choice foodies. The Global Times sought out some of the more unusual and fascinating themed eateries around Shanghai.

 

Little boys and girls room

So you've dined on a plane, a train and a boat. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a meal in a bathroom?

The newly-opened toilet-themed restaurant More Than Toilet in Tianzifang can provide just such an experience. At the entrance to the three-storey restaurant, diners are welcomed by a steaming bathtub, with a pair of "legs" hanging out of it. 

"It shows that dining here is all about leisure, and that our customers can relax and have fun," said Zhou Wenjie, the manager of More Than Toilet. The eatery is the latest addition to the biggest themed restaurant chain in Taiwan which was formed in 2004. The Taikang Road outlet is the chain's only branch in Shanghai.

All of the decorations and furnishings are bathroom-related, including "urinals" used as lampshades, rows of metal showerheads on the ceiling, toilets with velvet cushions as seats, and washbasins and bathtubs topped with glass and used as dining tables.

"In fact, we've got far more toilet elements here than in our other outlets around the country, such as bathrobes, perfume bottles, and bath towels to reinforce the atmosphere of a bathroom," said Zhou.

However, the walls have retained the shikumen building's red-brick appearance that existed prior to the renovation, as opposed to the ceramic tiles or mosaics normally used on bathroom walls.

The menu at More Than Toilet offers ice cream, coffee, tea, juice, spaghetti, sandwiches and toast, besides some popular Taiwanese snacks. The utensils used to contain the food and drinks are also toilet-themed. For instance, milk tea is served in urinal-shaped cups, while ice cream is served in dishes that resemble toilet bowls. Continuing the theme, spaghetti is served in "washbasins."

 

Address: No.5, Lane 274 Taikang Road 泰康路274弄5号

Tel: 5412-2821

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

 

Gothic outlook

Located on the serene Shaoxing Road in downtown Shanghai and decorated in a distinctive Gothic style, Fée Café boasts of being the first Gothic-themed café in the city. Fée is the French word for "fairy," and the owners have dedicated themselves to creating an otherworldly and authentic Gothic atmosphere.

The curtains in the café are made of black crepe, the chairs are built of thick wrought iron and the lighting inside is always kept low. This somewhat creepy atmosphere is augmented by red hexagrams painted on the tables, notes by visitors hung from black chains on the walls, replicas of skulls, and artificial black roses strewn in every corner. And it's hard to miss the metal coffin placed in the center of the dining room. "All the decorations and furniture have been customized by the owners," said Han Ming, manager of the café. According to Han, the Chinese owners, who asked not to be named, previously studied in Europe where they became fascinated by Gothic culture.

The café's waiters dress look like English butlers, while the waitresses all wear black, cosplay-style Lolita dresses. The café provides a variety of Western dishes, including a cake in the shape of a coffin. And the accompanying napkins are, unsurprisingly, black.

One nook of the café features a circular bookcase, on which you can find classic Gothic novels, but also books about Gothic culture, architecture and costumes. Meanwhile, the "drawing room" with its cozy fireplace, sees movie screenings once a week, showing Gothic-themed films. And in summer, a costume party (for girls only) is held once a month for people who like to wear Gothic-style costumes.

Another highlight of the café is its Lolita dresses corner, which showcases various designs from artists in the Yangtze River Delta.

 

Add: No.15-1 Shaoxing Road

绍兴路15-1号

Tel: 3461-7577

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

 

Teddy bear's picnic

The new movie Ted has evoked memories of childhood among many cinema goers this summer, and if you can't get enough of these cuddly playthings then a teddy bear-themed restaurant in Tianzifang might satisfy your craving.

Started by the Hong Kong couple Esther Tseung and her husband back in 2007, Esther's Bear boasts more than 1,000 teddy bears, some in glass cabinets and others piled up in corners.

"I want to create a retro atmosphere relying on the fact that teddy bears were important friends for many people when they were younger," said Tseung.

Esther's Bear offers a good selection of Thai dishes, from curry and salads to Tom Yum Kung, the national soup of Thailand. Desserts, pizza and coffee are also available. The crockery used is all adorned with cute bear-face prints.

Tseung herself spent time making teddy bears in Germany. And in one section of the restaurant   customers can also create their own bears under Tseung's guidance. She also offers "passports" for bears in which owners can record their bear's personal details. Tseung told the Global Times that she is planning to organize a nationwide competition for making teddy bears next year.

 

Address: No.23-2, Lane 248 Taikang Road 泰康路248弄23-2号

Tel: 6473-0645

Opening hours: 11 am to 11 pm