Calypso Restaurant & Lounge at Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai recently launched their spring and summer seasonal brunch and afternoon tea menus, curated by chef de cuisine Tonino Giglio – and aptly called 'From Barcelona With Love.' 

Image courtesy of Chen Yu/Calypso

Image courtesy of Chen Yu/Calypso

From now through mid-July, in collaboration with Barcelona-based luxury skincare brand Natura Bissé, Calypso will be offering a co-branded, Spanish-themed brunch and afternoon tea.

Showcasing equally colorful and fresh flavors of Mediterranean cuisines – including Italy, South of France, and a strong emphasis on authentic Spanish cuisine – both sets offer diners a culinary-driven 'vacation' to the Mediterranean Sea. 

The Spanish-leaning brunch menu runs every weekend and public holiday from 11.30am-2.30pm from now through July 14, with multiple sharing options depending on party size. 

There’s the Three-Course Set Menu (RMB238) – one starter or egg dish, one main course, and one dessert; or the Four-Course Set Menu (RMB288) – one starter, one egg dish, one main course, and one dessert; plus a la carte options starting at RMB68.

Dishes span Traditional Tortilla, Burrata and Broad Bean Pesto to Iberico Ham Pizza, Torrijas, Crema Catalana, y mucho más.

Let’s take a look at the flavors of España…

Studded with smoked Italian scamorza cheese and potatoes, the Traditional Tortilla blends roots of Spanish fare with Italian flavors, finished with black truffle and dots garlic aioli.

Cut into triangles, this appetizer makes for the ultimate finger-friendly tapas. 

A trio of Bruschetta is equally ideal for sharing – with grilled sourdough toast topped with Serrano ham, arugula shaved parmesan, and a lashing of white truffle oil; a creamy spread of stracciatella cheese, marinated heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil; and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon pink peppercorns, flecked with pickled baby lemons.  

House-cured in beetroot juice overnight, the Danish-imported Beetroot Salmon is presented in whorling pleats, sprinkled with candied orange peel.

Caper berries, freshly shaved fennel, confit orange segments, and cucumber ribbons are interspersed with dollops of sour cream and a citronette aioli. 

Although seemingly standard in appearance, the King Crab Benedict (+RMB80) bursts – literally – with the flavors of spring, the gooey soft-poached egg yolk dribbling down the side of the plate when pierced.

Perched atop a baked fresh daily English muffin slathered in a citrusy avocado hollandaise, the succulent shreds of crab leg lend a hint of natural sweetness, rounded by a pickled wild mushroom salad and fresh grapefruit segments. 

Italian-imported durum semolina pasta is the focus of the Linguine Pesto and Prawns, generously tossed in a classic Genovese-style basil pesto, flanked by three grilled prawns – their pleasantly smoky char adding a tempered bitterness plus a snappy textural contrast. 

Set on a base of 24-hour proofed 5 Stagione flour dough, the Iberico Ham Pizza is plush yet crispy in all the right ways – blistered edges giving way to fluffy air pock-marked crust.

Liberally spread with fresh buffalo mozzarella, the pizza sees a verdant spread of spring’s bounty – shaved asparagus, tri-colored zucchini chips, a soft-poached egg, Iberico ham, lemon zest, and a dusting of oregano – all baked in their custom-built pizza oven. 

The culmination of all Spanish eats can be found in the dessert menu – a sweet feast of Basque Cheesecake, Crème Catalan and (our personal favorite) Torrijas – a cinnamon and vanilla 'French toast' of sorts, paired with acidic seasonal red berries, candied orange and a treacly vanilla syrup.

The crackly, lacey edges are juxtaposed against the velvety eggy center, brightened by citrus zest. 

Barcelona Breeze (White) – St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Albarino, sparkling water, citrus, herbs, fresh fruits. Barcelona Breeze (Red) – Cointreau, Creme de Cassis, Tempranillo, sparkling water, citrus, herbs, mixed berries

The Afternoon Tea Set (RMB488/net) draws inspiration from Natura Bissé's hometown – Barcelona’s tiles of pink, green and white – while the spiral-style stand is reminiscent of the waves crashing on its beaches.

Image courtesy of Chen Yu/Calypso

Expect a variety of unique pastries: Champagne Compressed Watermelon, Crème Fraiche Bavarian, Passion Fruit Puff and more, paired with two Sangria-inspired 'Barcelona Breeze' drinks (pictured above), or diner’s choice of coffee or tea.

Guests who purchase the brunch set or the afternoon tea will also receive limited gifts valued at RMB450, including a Natura Bissé Diamond Luminous set box; a Natura Bissé Tmall Store voucher; a Chi, the Spa NB facial treatment voucher; and a Calypso spring cocktail voucher.

Image courtesy of Calypso

Calypso Restaurant & Lounge, South Wing Plaza, Jing-An Kerry Center, 1218 Yan'an Zhong Lu, by Anyi Lu, 延安中路1218号静安嘉里中心南区广场, 近安义路.