Every once in a while I reward my body for its tolerance of cheap noodles and rice and roadside pancakes by buying it something ‘normal’. Tonight was one such night and so after work I headed, weary-limbed to the IAPM mall which is the closest one to my house. This is a truly massive mall full of every brand known to man and many others which are not. As I ambled through this temple to consumerism to my left and my right were well-dressed but extremely bored sales assistants watching the world go by without popping in. I wrote about boring jobs here and this surely has to be another. Imagine working in a shop which only has a coupe of customers a day.
I made my way to the escalator and up to the fifth floor where there is a restaurant which I quite like which does healthy and quite interesting salads. Bang @ Mr Willis has been a favourite of mine since the mall opened and as I sat outside looking out towards Jing an temple tucking into my stilton, fig and walnut salad I could feel my body give a sigh of relief – at last something healthy! I shouldn’t have had the potted salmon really but it looked so nice so I couldn’t resist. Budgetary pressures meant I forwent the wine in favour of water (even healthier!) and after filling my stomach full to bursting I said my goodbyes to the friendly waiting staff and loped home.
Things I like about Bang @ Mr Willis
Waiters and waitresses are friendly. One girl stops just short of hugging me when I arrive and the pizza chef always nods to me.
Food is good, not too pricey and served quickly
Outside seating area has great open views of Shanghai and down Huai Hai Lu
Things which need improving
If you want to pay by card the waiter has to go onto the outside area and wave the machine around until he gets a signal
It’s a bit dark – some would say atmospheric – I say dark!
Other considerations
IAPM mall has free wifi throughout. There is a cafe next door owned by the same people serving similar food plus coffee and cakes.
Overall it is a pleasant place for dinner or lunch, it’s relaxed and well-priced. However I would stop short of recommending it for a night out because personally speaking if I’m going out with my friends for a meal I don’t want to go into a shopping mall. I can’t imagine saying “Hey let’s go to my local shopping mall for the evening”. I don’t think anyone would want to join me.
lol. I admit that the food is the most appealing thing to me . I hope I could come to here one day. Fabulos!
THIS PICTURE SHOWS US……..THE CITY WAS TOOOOOOO DIRTY….
There is smog EVERYWHERE!