OSTERIA - Shanghai’s Newest Dining Destination Opens with a Canadian BANG this Fall!

Written by Mary Luz Mejia

Shanghai, China — Entrepreneur and hospitable restaurateur Rudy Guo and International celebrity sommelier Zoltan Szabo have partnered with Shanghai eatery impresario Eduardo Vargas in creating the city’s newest and soon-to-be hottest dining destination- Osteria. Inspired by the soul of Italian and Chinese family style dining feasts, Osteria will open its doors with a flourish during its Grand Opening Week-from November 13 to the 20th, 2008. Helping to celebrate in style, are two of Canada’s leading culinary and beverage ambassadors: our very own “Thirsty Traveler” Kevin Brauch and World Oyster Shucking Champ, Patrick McMurray.

Brauch will be on hand all week to launch a sleek, thoughtfully-composed cocktail menu dubbed The Cocktail Journey in the restaurant's new lounge. Guests have the option of choosing from traditional offerings (such as a martini- shaken or stirred- as well as a classic Caesar), or they can create their own Cocktail Flight with three tastings size cocktail from the list. Brauch’s signature creations and a collection of cocktails based on celebrity mixologists’ recipes spanning the globe in Brauch’s Toast This! section of the menu. Entertaining a crowd and behind-the-bar sportsmanship is what Brauch is all about- his time at Osteria promises to keep new patrons hooked not only his bar-stool-tall tales, but on his sublime, sippable creations.

Not to be outdone, Guinness World Book of Record’s oyster shucking title holder Patrick McMurray will set up in the Cooler Bar where he’ll be launching Osteria’s oyster and raw bar program. Shucking his favourite bivalves for happy guests who get to slurp the array that McMurray and Guo will be sourcing, the Cooler Bar just got a bit cooler with his affable presence. Diners can also sample Osteria’s palate-pleasing array of charcuterie, house-made antipasto, cheeses and seafood/crudo to create their own, custom made sharing plates. Perfect for accompanying one of Brauch’s well-crafted libations on any celebratory, cosmopolitan Shanghai night on the town!