Hidden away on an alleyway of ChangLe Lu, where leafy trees leave specs of sunlight to shine on the busy streets, is Solo Garden. As you enter through the gateway, a large grass courtyard with renovated architecture comes into view.
Open panels of glass with rows of cozy patios give off a sense of cheeriness. The interior of the restaurant is very modern, with white wallpaper and occasional paintings with brightly lit orange lights,. The turquoise plates and light-wood-colored table also fits with the restaurant design.
Escargot, Mediterranean style - 48rmb
The deviation from a traditional French, parsley butter preparation was new to me. Although the spicing was not overpowering, it didn't feel too Mediterranean either(no garlic, cumin, or onion flavor). The perfectly chewy escargot worked well with the creaminess from the mash potatoes. However, the potatoes were slightly grainy.
Burrata Cheese Pizza - 128rmb
With an in-house pizza oven, its no wonder the pizza crust at Solo Garden has a charcoal flavor and a crispy/puffy crust. The topping of the pizza with burrata and regular mozzarella cheese could have been further enhanced with more acidity, maybe a more generous scooping of tomato sauce.
Seafood Platter - est. 170rmb
Sometimes simple is best. The lemon-zest and herb flavoring dusted across the varieties of seafood including scallops, shrimp, and squid cut through the heaviness. The mayonnaise smeared on the juicy and charred shrimp added a final luxurious touch.
Seafood pasta - 168rmb
A deep tomato sauce clings onto the clam and mussel shells, making the seafood very earthy and well-seasoned. Pasta was also warm and cooked al-dente. Visually, the dish was impressive too.
Tartare(picture all the way on top) - 68rmb
Probably the best dish I had at Solo Garden. It was a unique tartare with a floral scent of orange, and raw squid served alongside the beef.
The extremely simple menu composed of Stuzzichini, Antipasti, and Griglia captures the spirit of Italian home-cooking, complimented by a fair price(ofc in context of Western food price in Shanghai). Its great for casual gatherings and family dinners! Address:
ChangLe Road, no.333
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