At Pirata, chef-owner Ling Huang serves globe-trotting tapas like octopus salad and clams, all in a cozy spot by the pool that’s perfect for summer.
6F93+2V7, Xinle Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200041 Get directions
"Taiwanese chef-owner Ling Huang landed in Shanghai after stints in New York, London , and the Seychelles, and Pirata’s tapas menu reflects her globe-trotting spirit. The octopus salad with chickpeas and fennel appears on nearly every table in the restaurant, as does the platter of mini gyros, palm-size pitas stuffed with shredded steak, onions, and French fries. If you eat seafood, order the clams with Thai basil and the ventresca (tuna belly) paired with a slice of sweet piquillo pepper, drizzled with good olive oil, and served on a slice of baguette. For dessert, go straight for the praline ice cream crepes—squares of sweet and savory ice cream rolled in crushed peanuts, topped with coriander, and wrapped in (yes) a crepe."
Amy Lu