The CHAR Bar and Grill, an amazing steak house on the top floors of the boutique Hotel Indigo on the Bund (29th and 30th floors) with terraces and incredible views across the Huangpu River to the skyscrapers of Pudong and north along the Bund. Ask for a table facing the river.

PROFILE
Char Bar and Grill restaurant is located on the 29th and 30th floor of the boutique Hotel Indigo at the southern end of the Bund. Aside from preparing one of the best steaks around, the contemporary steakhouse and bar pay dutiful attention to little details like a selection of cutlery and sea salts. The two floors have terraces and unobstructed views across the Huangpu River to the skyscrapers of Pudong and north along the Bund.

MUST TRY:
Try the Blackmore’s wagyu beef from Australia with foie gras, lobster, wild mushrooms and truffles. The foie gras parfait crumble with apple and red onion jam .

AMBIENCE
The Grill has dark wooden floors and ceiling, patterned fabric chairs with artful floral arrangements make the interior feminine. With dim lighting, CHAR’s ambience romantic rather than stuffy, and the views up the river are spectacular.

SERVICE
Service is always very good, the waiters are sharp both in dress and their knowledge. Nice presentation of condiments, tableware, and utensils.

FOOD
Char’s menu changes seasonally – Spring starters include spicy watermelon salad, grilled haloumi cheese, smoked chili sauce, rocket leaves, coriander & red onion; Scallops tiradito, dragon fruit, mango ponzu, pickled cucumber, apple-almond salad; Gillerdeau – la maison de Gillardeau; rib-eye paired with tiny mushrooms, radiant vine tomatoes and a little pot of sauce; Blackmore’s wagyu beef with foie gras, lobster, wild mushrooms and truffles. Other than steaks, there’s lots of seafood, including oyster buckets, and a seafood tower including Alaskan king crab, king prawns, red mud crab. Dessert includes a berries delight, lime meringue, strawberry sorbet & mousse; the signature banana cheesecake, apple tarte tatin with calvados ice cream. Drinks are good as well, with a long wine list from the adjoining bar on the upper floor.

PRICING
RMB 1,600 for two people

SUMMARY
CHAR is pricey, but it’s exceptional and there’s no irritating surcharge it doesn’t disappoint a bit. The food on the menu, the ambience, the service, and the spectacular view justifies the prices. Ask for a table facing the river, you won’t regret it.