Shanghai Daily news

Sky Dome Bar

Absolutely spectacular would be the only words one could use to describe the views from the Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World’s revolving restaurant, Epicure on 45.
Let’s hope the food is just as great!
The restaurant opens tomorrow and is sure to attract a steady stream of visitors given its now prominent place amidst Shanghai’s skyline extravaganza.
The spaceship like building has laid dormant for more than seven years but the very top levels are now preparing for lift off with the opening tomorrow.
Taking one hour to complete a full rotation, views from Epicure on 45 encompass the entire city.
From the nearby People’s Square and its art gallery, museum and theater to the Huangpu River and further afield to the Yanan Overpass, one is shocked at the size and scale of this city but nonetheless impressed.
Radisson Shanghai New World General Manager Maurice Cook says there are several distinguishing features of this revolving restaurant.
First is the food, which comes in four distinct styles.
An Indian chef has just arrived from the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, while the executive sous chef is from Italy.
There’s a Chinese chef from Hong Kong and another culinary expert in the Japanese head chef.
Anyone who thinks four chefs this big need four separate kitchens would be entirely correct, however what is not needed is four different restaurants.
Karl Beter, Executive Chef who hails from Austria heads the kitchens at the Radisson New World.
Epicure on 45 will have four show kitchens, where diners can watch their food being prepared. Each from a different corner of the world, the restaurant provides a perfect meeting point for those who cannot decide which type of restaurant they want to visit.
Here each diner can order from a different menu, and know that their food will be prepared in an authentic manner.
“We’re not fusing cuisine, people will know that what they are ordering is Indian food if they ask for Indian food, or Japanese if they want Japanese,” assures Cook.
Another key feature of this restaurant is the private dining rooms, of which there are four.
“Usually these private rooms do not rotate, but in our restaurant we offer views to all our guests. The kitchens are in the center of the space, and provide a focal point on the inside if people tire of looking out of the windows,” says Cook.
Tiring of these views is highly unlikely, although he jokingly says it may be necessary to glance inwards once in a while to stop yourself from getting caught up in the motion.
“If people stare out the window throughout the whole meal they might feel motion sickness, so it’s important to bring good company!” he laughs.
But given the gentle pace of rotation required to complete a 360 degree spin in an hour, this is unlikely to occur often.
Climb another two floors higher and you’ll reach the Sky Dome Bar, with equally impressive views of Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower and other key attractions. This bar is sure to become a favorite with Shanghai’s residents and visitors alike.
Living up to its name, there’s a dome like roof atop this magnificent space, complete with star lights to enhance the effect of entertaining at such dizzy heights.
A band will perform nightly between 9pm and midnight, on a stage which is hydraulically elevated so all can get a peek.
It sounds impressive, and it is. The views are enough to sweep one of their feet, but add the right atmosphere and entertainment and you have a complete recipe for success.
The Four Piece Band will be playing a mix of Western classic songs and Chinese songs as well, to fit the expected mix of Chinese and foreign clientele.
Sky Dome Bar will be open from 5pm until 1am nightly, with a special happy hour between 5pm and 7pm. Specially concocted cocktails are currently being designed for the expected crowds.
Cook says prices for standard drinks will not be as astronomical as the bar’s elevated status, and about 40 yuan (US$4.9) should cover the costs of one.
Sky Dome Bar will surely become part of that list of “to dos” one often formulates when visitors come to stay, and is in a convenient location for the after work drinks crowd too.
So if you’re one of those people who has wondered what on earth that spaceship has inside, soon you will have the opportunity to discover Epicure on 45 and the Sky Dome Bar for yourself.
Other key features of the Radisson Shanghai New World Hotel are also opening tomorrow.
The long-awaited swimming pool and fitness center will open to hotel guests, along with the Vita Spa.
While most of these facilities are just for hotel guests at the moment, soon Shanghai residents will be able to purchase memberships to join the health club.
The Vita Spa, however, is open to all and sure to be well received. Designed by the same architect who designed
the hotel interior, this spa features private rooms, a hydro bath and much more.
Another standout feature is the virtual driving range, where guests can practice their golf shots in state of the art surrounds.
The Radisson Club is also opening, with a separate check in on the 35th floor for business travelers.
The Radisson Club offers premium guests a private breakfast buffet, access to meeting rooms, the club lounge with wireless Internet and all day refreshments as well as three hours of drinks in the evening.
Exciting times ahead for the Radisson Shanghai New World Hotel, which is sure to become a premier destination for international visitors and residents alike from tomorrow onwards.