Alchemist Cocktail Kitchen
- Contributed by
- iiiitoperationmgr
- Job
- Manager, Operation
- Submitted at
- 2011-03-23 16:49:04
this work joined the contest City Weekend Restaurant and Bar Reader's Choice Awards 2011
Description
Alchemist Cocktails and Kitchen, is a new concept of Kelley Lee and Eduardo Vargas. Located in an upscale yet Relaxed 2 storey's of a 1920's Heritage Mansions in Sinan Road .Focusing on high quality cocktails made using molecular techniques and avant-garde presentation... featuring a modern small plates menu..focused on high end plating, bite size food utilizing best ingredients..
Comments Add a public comment
Hey guys, this comment thread has gotten a little out of hand. You know the drill. We'll have to cut off the comments that aren't a review of the restaurant and ask you to move the conversation into this blog post -- http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/articles/blogs-shanghai/cw-radar/are-shanghai-customers-just-too-demanding/. Thanks for understanding!
My family and I had the most unforgettable Mother’s Day in Alchemist last Sunday. They have ruined our Mother’s Day brunch from the moment when we walked in. I rang Alchemist on that Tuesday to book a table for 6 upstairs, the staff who I talked to has confirmed my booking immediately. I have double-checked with him that my family prefer the high table seats, because some of them have bad back problems, low seats won’t be too good for them. However when we turned up on Sunday, they couldn’t find our booking. Then we were told that they have booked us in for Saturday’s brunch instead. I hadn’t received ‘No Show’ calls from Alchemist on Saturday. The tall table for 8 people upstairs was occupied by 3 people. While we stood there with bunches of flowers and gifts like idiots, an Australian guy who claim himself being the manager of Alchemist pointed at some low corner seats and without even trying to talk to these three guests upstairs to rearrange the seatings and said:” You can sit there.” I was shocked and said:” Maybe you have other alternatives or can you get the staff who has made my reservation out here and try to help me to resolve this?” He claimed that the guy who made this mistake was their chef who was suppose to stay in the kitchen and it wasn’t his job to make bookings. Then he said, do you want those seats or not?! While we were talking, another pregnant western lady came to Alchemist with her 2 year-old son and family obviously has overheard our conversation and said to the Australian manager: “We are here to have a nice brunch to celebrate Mother’s Day too. You have messed up our bookings today as well. You should help this lady to sort something out immediately.” Then they left the restaurant with disappointments on their face, maybe they have experienced enough complaints today. We told him that we understand everybody makes mistakes, but it’s your attitude which counts. There is zero sincere apology from him or any of his staff. 20 minutes of talking, he didn’t even ask us to sit down or give us any water to calm down our upsets. I had a minor heart attack while talking to him, because he has accused me of threatening him of writing this on City Weekend!!! My mum nearly called an ambulance for me, one of bar tenders has then gave me a glass of water. 30 minutes of embarrassment has passed, they have moved three guests from the high table and asked us if we wanted it or we can leave the restaurant!!! I said we need a sincere apology from that Australian manager before we go, because his repetitive incompetent management and arrogant service attitude has taken away our celebration moods for any food. He came back and apologized for his staff making such mistake but wouldn’t admit his own mistake of treating the customers like shit! When I was walking out I told him that City Weekend is a place where people share their good and bad experience of a restaurant for others convenience... We are very disappointed of what happened today
The head bartender, Ryan, definitely makes a visit to the Alchemist enjoyable. I always look forward to having one of the "off-the-menu" drink that he creates for me. Definite plus.
Upon reading the last review, I am not surprised by the level of service. I wanted to have brunch today and read the no reservation policy plus the gloomy weather, forgo it. Ms. Lee and Mr. Vargas . . . pay attention . . . we need not only good food but good service as well!!
After all the hype in the reviews on this place, we were anxious to check out the food/drink on the pation on Sunday afternoon. Upon arriving, we were asked if we had any reservations as all the tables were booked. They promote a no-reservation policy as highlighted in Cityweekend so we did not book in advance. When we checked out the back patio, over half of the tables were empty. The waitress was also rude and said Sorry, please come back again vs providing a solution ie please wait at the bar until I can find something. Unfortunately, this is all to common in Shanghai when have a potential great restaurant but cannot deliver the service. A note to management: if you think you can survive in Sinan Mansions with this type of service given all your competition, think again! We will definitely not promote this place to anyone.
Clairebared and I are in a showdown over who loves Alchemist more. Ryan is an absolute potion master, and I am continuously astounded by what comes out from behind the bar. Ivan's Original Tonic is my favorite; very clean, nice crisp taste, perfect for summer. It took about an hour on opening night before I was hooked on the drinks.
All the CW eds love the eggwiches, which are food porn through and through, and so it was not surprising that the brunch menu's egg dishes are also tops. Went in today and lounged around on the sunny patio. The Farm (RMB48) is two soft poached eggs, thick asparagus and parmesan, with hollandaise. The buffet (RMB100) is wonderfully reminiscent of the brunch food at Closed Door -- couscous, grilled/marinated vegetables, a fruit platter, charcuterie, etc. Brunch prices are very reasonable -- the enormous American plate comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato wedges, and silver dollar pancakes -- and is very appropriately named. Will be back next weekend.
Awesome place to gather with friends, to catch up or celebrate a special occaision. Champagne cocktails are fab! Wonderful ambience coupled with impecable service (and the yummy nibbles they provide). Don't miss this spot.
The Alchemist was the perfect place to take my parents the last night of their visit to Shanghai. Very innovative drinks, and I loved the atmosphere of the place. Since we had dinner reservations after, we didn't try any of the food but next time I come I definitely will! Highly recommend.
The Alchemist has quickly become one of favorite bars in Shanghai. It is the perfect place to perch yourself at the bar and partake in a delicious lesson in liquids. Ryan, the one who calls all the shots, has a knack at picking your brain to create the perfect cocktail for you. Last night he introduced me to jenever; a liquor that has changed my drinking life. Go there immediately and ask him to whip you up a cocktail using it. You will not be disappointed…
The Panacea is easily one of my favorite cocktails in the city. Fantastic drink. But the overall selection at Alchemist is mind-boggling awesome. Recently got turned on to the dessert section of the menu, which has equally impressive choices. Word.
Interesting and innovative cocktails list. My only complaint is cocktail size look like children glass. Will try it again in the future.
I really enjoyed the vibe at Alchemist. Very laid-back place, which was sophisticated without being stuffy. Can't speak to the overall food that was served, but the popcorn snack was pretty damn good, and between two people we went through 5 cups of it.
Only let down of night was the drinks we chose. The signature drinks were not very good, and perhaps went a bit too far with their "creativity." Perhaps I don't have a developed palate. Having said that, I would definitely go back and give it another try just because the atmosphere is great. Probably would stick with more conventional drinks. Oh service was very attentive as well.
Amazing drinks, great food and wonderful service. The egg yolk hors d' ouvres is heavenly. Definitely a great, relaxing place to hang out with friends.
Last night was my second time enjoying the staff, cocktails, and decor of the Alchemist. It provides a warm, and dimly lit atmosphere with a comfortable sense of sophistication that anyone will enjoy (or be impressed by)!
I haven't tried the food yet; however, the cocktails were literally designed to perfection. For example, our amazing bartenders asked questions concerning a few of our favorite ingredients, and then created customized drinks to match our individual palates. Amazing! Such craftsmanship! One sip, and my taste buds were energized with delight. As a table we tried to identify all the surprising and familiar flavors, but our assumptions were always wrong. Who knew absinthe could taste like lavender?!!! Regardless, its a great place to bring a date or to impress your boss, for sure!
Thank you Alchemist for making us happy! We owe you one!
The Alchemist is my go-to for cocktails. Every cocktail I've requested has been carefully crafted, with perfect proportions, and generously garnished. How's that for some alliteration? These are my favorites: the classic negroni (and its variations), gin martini with caper berries, the trader vic's mai tai, the hemmingway daiquiri, and more.
Not only is the bartending top notch, the selection of spirits and bitters and liqueurs and low proof flavorings, is fantastic as well. Want a Rye Manhattan with an amaro rather than regular ole sweet vermouth? Daniel, Vincent, Chris, and Yao have you covered.