[Shanghai] The Commune Social (2)

The Commune Social | Facebook | Dianping
Address: 江宁路511号(近康定路) – 511 Jiangning Rd near Kangding Rd (静安区 Jing’an District)
Date visited: 2013.09
Total bill: RMB¥1,031 for 5 people (including wine)
Will return: Definitely
What to get:
– DIY tuna tar-tar
– Spanish breakfast
– Sea urchin
– Scallop ceviche
– Bone marrow
– Suckling pig
– Goat cheese dessert
– Olive oil chocolate ganache dessert

It hasn’t been long since I was last at The Commune Social. This time, I came armed with four other people to maximize dish quantity and variety. They happily obliged. I was able to make some recommendations based on my previous lunch here as well as try new dishes.

There was a very evident trend during this dinner that half the table would like one dish while the other half didn’t and this happened with several dishes. Under my own evaluation, I think most of the dishes on the menu are good because I like the ingredients that Jason Atherton is oh so fond of using throughout his restaurants but not everyone has the same preferences (one guy doesn’t like bone marrow, one girl doesn’t like wasabi, another girl doesn’t like sea urchin, etc… and I like them all).

Wine (RMB¥280 for bottle)

Tuna tar-tar “DIY” (RMB¥89)
Recommend: yes
And by DIY I mean everyone made me do it. Tuna quality was great.

“Made” by yours truly. This is as evolved as my cooking skills get.

Spanish breakfast, chorizo and potatoes (RMB¥68)
Recommend: yes
My Spanish friend commented that this does not exist in Spain. That’s okay, still tasty.

Miso grilled Mackerel, wasabi avocado, cucumber chutney (RMB¥78)
Recommend: no
Wasn’t a fan of the mackerel here (and in general)–too fishy–but the rest was delicious. Perhaps a different fish like sea bass or cod would have been better but that would triple the price.

Suckling pig, roasted pineapple with spices, peppers, sherry dress (RMB¥128)
Recommend: yes
Pork was fat and juicy. Especially liked the skin.

Baked smoked bone marrow, onion jam and sour dough, gentleman’s relish butter (RMB¥98)
Recommend: yes
I previously had this at Jason Atherton’s 22 Ships in Hong Kong. A few dishes (tuna tar-tar, foie gras burgers, etc) from the 22 Ships menu also appear on The Commune Social menu.

Sea Urchin, pepper butter on Ciabatta (RMB¥58 two pieces)
Recommend: yes
Uni and pepper flavor together–mind blown. Spanish friend was really impressed with the peppers. I refuse to share this next time.

Sangria ice pops (Complimentary)
Spanish friend and I absolutely abhorred this but the rest of the table really liked this. Take it all!

Olive oil brioche, chocolate ganache, pistachio, sea-salt (RMB¥55)
Recommend: yes
This one rivals the goat cheese dessert. I just love the chocolate ganache and pistachio combination. As always, sweet with a bit of savory is a winning taste for my palate.

Crispy lemon meringue, cucumber sorbet, gin jelly (RMB¥55)
Recommend: not for me but others liked it
I don’t like lemony desserts but everyone else like this so I just hogged the chocolate dessert.

We also got the scallop ceviche and goat cheese dessert (which you can view on my previous entry). I highly recommend those as well.

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