2016年CRI Secret Restaurant in Shanghai Refines High-end Dining

 

Kaleidoscope-like images are projected on the walls, and a long dining table lights up in a futuristic fashion.

This is Ultraviolet, an exclusive eatery in Shanghai that resembles a scene from a science fiction film.

The dining floor features a 10-seat dining table and chairs. The restaurant can only accommodate 10 guests at a time, and everyone must sit at the same table. The addition of projections¹, smells and audio help to enhance a diner's experience.

Ultraviolet was established in May 2012 by Paul Pairet, who also serves as head chef at Ultraviolet. He says Shanghai offers the perfect backdrop for his unconventional creation.

"Everything that is happening here is a little bit ahead of what's happening somewhere else. And we can definitely see on the last 10 years, much more interest, much more knowledge (about food). It's obvious that people are travelling, the young generation is something that is from the start are here, are extremely curious."

The restaurant's website says it is located "somewhere in Shanghai." Reservations can be made online, and guests gather at a meeting point before traveling to the restaurant.

There are only two menus, and they rotate on a weekly basis.

Pairet describes the 20-course meal as "avant-garde figurative," which includes tuna sashimi steak frites, DIY coconut² noodle soup, and takes on simple classics. With wine pairings, customers can expect to pay 6,000 renminbi per person, which is around 900 US dollars. Since the restaurant's opening, prices have only gone up. But Pairet said that seemed to have attracted more Chinese mainland customers.

Bookings for his restaurant have been full since day one, and now the waiting list is about three months long.

Nothing is simple here.

Liquid nitrogen and test-tubes sit alongside pots and pans in the kitchen. In the dining room, sounds, images and subtle scents³ help to control the atmosphere as specific dishes are served.

"This room, which is all equipped with technology and will help us to trigger the atmosphere. We trigger the atmosphere because we control the time and we control the offer meaning that we can control partially⁴ at least, the ambience that will be surrounding a dish and will be tailored on a specific dish."

Alexandra Bru is a French national living in Shanghai. She gave Ultraviolet quite a review.

"You have a combination of the food with an atmosphere and special experience. So you are part of something very special, you are like in a trip to go somewhere – you don't know where you are going and it's very, very amazing. And it's something you have in your mind, you will keep it in your mind for the whole life."

Ultraviolet has also received industry recognition. Last year, the Diners Club World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy ranked it 24th on a global list of best restaurants.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning. 

1 projections   

预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物

参考例句：

• Their sales projections are a total thumbsuck. 他们的销售量预测纯属估计。
• The council has revised its projections of funding requirements upwards. 地方议会调高了对资金需求的预测。

2 coconut   

n.椰子

参考例句：

• The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
• The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。

3 scents   

n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉

参考例句：

• The air was fragrant with scents from the sea and the hills. 空气中荡漾着山和海的芬芳气息。
• The winds came down with scents of the grass and wild flowers. 微风送来阵阵青草和野花的香气。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 partially   

adv.部分地，从某些方面讲

参考例句：

• The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
• The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静，宵禁部分解除。