[Shanghai] Liquid Laundry

Liquid Laundry | Dianping
Address: 淮海中路1028号嘉华坊2楼(近东湖路) – 2F/K Wah Center, 1028 Huaihai Zhong Lu (徐汇区 Xuhui District)
Date visited: 2014.05
Total bill: RMB¥150-200 per person
Will return: Yes
What to get:
– Chicken soup
– Hannibal Lecter mini pastrami sandwich
– Crispy fried pork trotters
– Duck nuggets
– Fat Elvis dessert

Liquid Laundry is a gastropub opened by the team behind Boxing Cat, Cantina Agave, and Sproutworks. If we learned anything from their previous ventures, it is that they are good at sticking around. Liquid Laundry is a bustling space that reminds me of New York. The space is huge and suitable for any occasion that does not require quietness–after work drinks, dinner, late dinner, and pre-going out drinks. Liquid Laundry is opened for lunch as well for those working nearby. Liquid Laundry has been busy since the first day it opened and is still going strong. It looks like another Shanghai staple has entered the arena.

We will do a two-part for Liquid Laundry: drinks and food.

Drinks

Drinks are, of course, available any time of the day to your liking. But in case you like to drink in excess, there is a Happy Hour from 5-7pm where mixed drinks that are normally RMB¥70-80 are RMB¥50. Owner Lee says the terrace will be open as soon as the weather allows and we can take our Happy Hours to the terrace. Sounds good to me.

Paper Plane (RMB¥80) bourbon, amaro, Aperol, citrus

Smoked Boulevardier/Lucky Luciano (RMB¥80) Negroni bourbon, Campari, amaro, cherry wood smoke

Food

After eating here a couple of times, I have narrowed down my likes and dislikes. I like the small bites and I like to get a bunch of these to piece together into a meal. I don’t like the pizzas (but come on, I don’t like pizza anywhere except Capo). Below are some of the small bites for sharing.

Best roast chicken soup you’ve ever tasted (RMB¥48) is the actual name of this soup
Recommend: yes
This soup is as good as it claims to be and this toast that comes with it is pretty damn good, too. Don’t underestimate the power of good bread.

Spicy smoked tomato bisque (RMB¥68) with grilled cheese
Recommend: maybe
Between the chicken soup and the tomato soup, the chicken soup is better but hey, someday you may be in the mood for tomato soup.

House made pretzel (RMB¥38) with hot mustard and cheese sauce
Recommend: maybe
Soft pretzels are a Philly thing and I lived in Philadelphia back in the day when soft pretzels were 25 cents so nothing compares to the OG pretzel. But if you are not me, go ahead and try it.

Our model for size reference.

Bone marrow poppers (RMB¥68 for four) with spicy tomato sauce
Recommend: maybe
Loads of bone marrow although I don’t entirely like the crust that is used to encase the filling. I think I would rather take some toasted bread (like the ones served with the soups) to mop up the marrow and spicy tomato sauce.

Hannibal Lecter special (RMB¥68 for two) mini “face bacon” pastrami sandwiches, slaw, spicy mustard
Recommend: yes
I love a good pastrami sandwich and this interpretation is undoubtedly my favorite item on the menu. I suggest getting enough orders so everyone at the table gets a sandwich. Say no to splitting.

Crispy fried pork trotters (RMB¥78 for three) with sauce gribiche, red onion escabeche
Recommend: yes
Cubes of fatty pork that is deep fried. Definitely.

Beer braised beef tongue sliders (RMB¥98 for three) with fresh horseradish aioli, pickled carrots
Recommend: maybe
For me, the Hannibal Lecter pastrami sandwich is a must-have so on top of that, this slider is a bit heavy for me in the same meal. Honestly, it doesn’t suit my palate but this seems to be a crowd favorite.

Not pictured but also try the burrata salad (RMB¥98) with house made duck prosciutto and duck nuggets (RMB¥68).

For dessert, The Fat Elvis Special (RMB¥68), which consists of banana cake, peanut butter ice cream, and wait for it… crispy candied bacon, is amazing except it is not on the regular menu (though I fully support its induction into the regular menu). So now I have to stalk this place to see when they will rotate this back in.

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