"The restaurant was made not for profit but just to support and maintain the Creek Art building," says Xu.

And the "not for profit" mentality is evident with its more than fair prices and extremely reasonable wine list.

The menu is based on Italian cuisine with other dishes incorporating influences Singapore, France and Scandinavia.

Good food they certainly do provide including hand made pizza and home made pasta, and a wide selection of other mouth watering dishes.

A surprising and elusive dish for Shanghai found on the menu is Osso Buco (tender bone marrow cooked in wine).

Other main dishes include, lamb shank, salmon steak and steak and mash, a dish that will certainly keep the French expats happy.

The Italian choices rival any of the top specialty restaurants in the city, making it a hard task to choose between the ravioli salmon, fettuccine blue cheese and the gnocchi al pesto genovese.

"We only select the best products," continues Xu.

"Simon exports seafood from China so we get products of international quality that are not even sold in Shanghai. Like our crayfish from Jiang xi, Boyan Lake."

"With these products we will launch our new menu at the end of this month where people can savor this exquisite seafood from a number of different sources."

Although all made by local chefs, head chef Xu Gun is a familiar name among Shanghai restaurants having worked in some of the top establishments in town. Xu, who specializes in deserts, makes a trip to Creek Kitchen well worth it even if it is just for a customized mug of coffee and a delicious slice of cheese cake or chocolate terrine.

"Food you have to cook with the heart," concludes Xu.

"Then the taste comes. That is why your mum's cooking is always the best."

In four words Creek Kitchen can be summed up: Chic, romantic, delicious and friendly. So prepare to leave satisfied, cultured, relaxed and pleasantly surprised by the bill. It's a huge building with Creek Art in large letters on the roof, find the junction below and finding the restaurant is straightforward.

Creek Kitchen
Address: 101 Chang'an Road
Tel: 021-63804150

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