Classy treats

The iAPM Mall, located at the city’s central commercial area, has brought new blood to the local retail industry with its purported concept of offering a nonstop shopping experience from day to night since its opening in August.

Meanwhile, a number of international restaurants are also refreshing local gourmets’ palates by opening outlets in the shopping mall. Some of these mark the Chinese mainland debut for their brands, while others are taking the opportunity to spruce up their image with new characteristics. Three of the must-try venues are below.

Chili Crab

 

Live Prawns Fried with Cereal offered by Jumbo Seafood Photos: courtesy of the venue

Jumbo Seafood

Established in 1987, Jumbo Seafood is so famous in Singapore that almost all Singaporeans have enjoyed the delicacy at least once, and the official Singapore Tourism Board website recommends it as a must-go place for tourists.

Now, the first overseas branch of Jumbo Seafood has opened its doors at iAPM, where local gourmets can enjoy the well-known spicy Jumbo crabs.

As a representative of Singaporean-style seafood, Jumbo Seafood uses an abundance of spices from Southeast Asia in its range of aromatic sauces, which give its seafood dishes rich and complex tastes.

Jumbo Seafood’s Chili Crab, cooked with some 10 kinds of spices and also ketchup and featuring a delightful red sauce, was voted as the representative of chili crab dishes during a national cooking contest this year. The dish is usually matched with deep-fried buns that go well with the hot sweet-and-sour sauce.

Meanwhile, the Baked Black Pepper Crab and Deep Fried Crispy Butter Floss Crab are also popular crab dishes at the restaurant. Specialty dishes such as crispy eggplant with pork floss, fried prawn with cereal as well as Hainanese chicken rice are all available at the iAPM outlet.

According to Ang Kiam Lian, the director of Jumbo Seafood China Business Operations, most ingredients of the Shanghai branch are imported from the central kitchen in Singapore to ensure the original flavor of the dishes. Diners can also view the live crabs and lobsters in tanks at the entrance of the restaurant.

Business hours: 11 am to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm

Add: No.502, 5/F, 999 Huaihai Road Middle

淮海中路999号iAPM商场502商铺

Tel: 6466-3435

Sushi offered by sen-ryo Kaiten Sushi

 

Interior of sen-ryo Kaiten Sushi Photos: courtesy of the venue

 

sen-ryo Kaiten Sushi

Also premiering on the Chinese mainland is the high-end sushi maker sen-ryo from Utsunomiya, Japan.

The first outlet of sen-ryo was founded in 2000 in Tochigi-ken in Kanto, one of the two major sushi schools in Japan. It entered Hong Kong in 2005, where it now has  10 outlets.

Sen-ryo hand-rolled sushi is critically acclaimed for its top quality ingredients and superb workmanship. The food materials are prepared in kitchens with strict processes and monitoring standards, while the experienced sushi chefs will turn them into delicate dishes with their excellent knife skills.

Two sushi conveyor belts at the iAPM branch offer diners the opportunity to view the food and also interact with the chefs.

Recommended items include yellow tail (hamachi), sen-ryo sushi, prime fatty tuna, seared olive flounder muscle, seafood roll and Californian vegetable roll.

Other dishes like sashimi, salad, hand roll, hotpot, soba and udon can also all be found on the menu.

Patrons can also enjoy a wide range of drinks at the open bar inside the restaurant, where bartenders will be on hand to conjure special sen-ryo drinks.

Aimed at creating a comfortable ambiance for diners, the décor of the iAPM outlet was designed by the well-known MYU Planning and Operations Inc in Japan. Featuring earth tones achieved through natural stones and wood, the dining area has a traditional austerity with a modern touch.

Business hours: 11:00 am to 10:30 pm

Add: No.419, 4/F, 999 Huaihai Road Middle

淮海中路999号iAPM商场419商铺

Tel: 5466-7806

Oyster platter

 

Ocean-themed dining space Photos: courtesy of the venue

Morton’s  Steak Seafood Grille

People who have been to Morton’s of Chicago at Shanghai IFC Mall may be accustomed to the exquisite interiors and thoughtful service of the American steakhouse. However, its newly opened branch at iAPM aims to go beyond this enjoyable environment and provide diners a refreshing experience, which is unparalleled by any of its some 74 branches around the world.

Morton’s Steak Seafood Grille, located on the fourth floor of iAPM, is the first ever outlet of Morton’s that highlights a good selection of seafood dishes along with its steak specialties.

Like the steak dishes which are cooked according to strict recipes and procedures formulated by its US headquarters, the new menu of seafood dishes is also strictly overseen.

Among the daily fresh seafood is North Atlantic salmon and halibut, Maine lobsters, kaluga caviar and jumbo sea scallops, as well as nine kinds of oysters imported from France, America, Australia and New Zealand.

The restaurant also offers a wide selection of alcohol, ranging from strong liquors to original cocktails and domestic and international beers.

The interior of the restaurant also distinguishes it from the IFC branch with an ocean theme, featuring a bright and refreshing atmosphere created by its ocean blue carpet, white wooden chairs, 8-meter-long bar with shell ornamentation, and wall paintings of sea scenes.

The restaurant is also equipped with an outdoor area of 90 square meters, where diners can appreciate the view of the urban landscape in good weather.

Business hours: 11:30 am to midnight

Add: No.403, 4/F, 999 Huaihai Road Middle

淮海中路999号iAPM商场403商铺

Tel: 6067-7888

Classy treats