Spring is in full bloom at the riverfront Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai. In this season of fresh beginnings, the two signature restaurants of the hotel are introducing their exciting spring menus.

At Yong Yi Ting, the hotel's Chinese restaurant which features local authentic Jiang Nan cuisine combined with traditional Cantonese cuisine, world-renowned chef Tony Lu has added his best 20 culinary creations made with the finest seasonal ingredients to the new spring menu.

Must-try dishes include soy braised catfish with alfalfa greens, deep-fried whitebait with cedar and double-boiled fish maw wrapped in egg white with seafood soup.

The modern French brasserie Fifty 8° Grill is embracing the new season with a sumptuous and authentic menu. Delightful surprises from talented Chef de Cuisine Phillip Taylor include a hearty Irish brown crab gratin, warm salmon with spring peas, Atlantic cod paired with ruby Swiss chard & bordelaise sauce. While guests indulge in the delicacies, they may also want to seek wine recommendations from the hotel's Head Sommelier Tansy Zhao, a winner of China's National Sommelier Competition. Here are some of the recommendations from Tansy.

At Yong Yi Ting

Soy braised catfish with alfalfa greens. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Soy braised catfish with alfalfa greens is a perfect match for 2011 Chateau d'Esclans, "Esclans", Rose Wine

Catfish is most nourishing during the spring and winter months when its meat is meltingly tender. Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo wrote a famous poem in honor of the delicious flavor of catfish. To complement this delicacy, a light-bodied wine with rich fruitiness is an excellent choice. Tansy recommends Chateau d'Esclans 2011 Rose, which also perfectly balances the savory soy sauce braise.

Wok-fried minced pigeon in lettuce wrap with pigeon leg confit. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wok-fried minced pigeon in lettuce wrap with pigeon leg confit is a perfect match for 2012 Escarpment "Kupe" Pinot Noir, Martinborough

Escarpment "Kupe" Pinot Noir, crafted by the "King of pinot noir" Larry Mckenna, has been recognized as the top pinot noir in New Zealand. The wine has a complex and well-balanced flavor of red fruit, spice and gamy scents, which complement the pigeon in this delicious spring dish. The smooth tannin and high acidity work well with the tender meat and rich confit.

At Fifty 8° Grill

Atlantic cod, ruby swiss chard & bordelaise sauce. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Atlantic cod, ruby Swiss chard & bordelaise sauce is a perfect match with 2013 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley

From the North Atlantic Ocean, the cod is cooked with traditional bordelaise sauce using red wine, herbs and beef bones as a base. Frank's family vineyard chardonnay is rich in flavor, high in acidity which balances the fish's richness.

Warm salmon, garden pea salad, sour cream espuma. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Warm salmon, garden pea salad, sour cream espuma is a perfect match with 2012 Domaine D'Ardhuy, Bourgogne Blanc

The fresh water salmon from Chengdu is very delicate. Cooked at low temperature toprotect the fish’snutritionand maintain its silken texture while the garden peas and tangycitrus-sour cream foamenhance and balancethe taste.

A not-too-oaky chardonnay perfectly complements the salmon. The nutty flavors of the wine are a perfect match to the light espuma andbalance the fish's texture.

More about Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Located on the east bank of the Huangpu River, amid the dramatic skyline of the Lujiazui financial district, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai redefines luxury waterfront living in Shanghai. A masterpiece of contemporary luxury overlooking the famous Shanghai waterfront, the hotel offers 362 contemporary guestrooms, including the largest Presidential Suite in Shanghai. A further 210 luxury residences are available at the Mandarin Oriental Executive Apartments, Shanghai's only fully serviced luxury riverfront apartments. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai offers guests and residents the luxury of waterfront living, complete with two signaturerestaurantshelmed by world famous celebrity chefs, a holistic spa, over 1,200 square meters of state-of-the-art meetings and event spaces, and a 4,000-piece art collection, enhanced by the comforts of Mandarin Oriental's legendary service.

Address: 111 Pudong Road (S), Pudong, Shanghai 200120, China

Tel: +86 (21) 2082 9888

Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/shanghai/

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