Mr Willis
3/F, 195 Anfu Lu,
Jing An
near Wulumuqi Lu
安福路195号3楼
近乌鲁木齐路
5404-0200
Open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, 5pm-Midnight, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm, 5pm-Midnight
Price Y200-Y299 per couple
Accepts International Credit Cards
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- City Weekend says
Craig Willis, former executive chef at Wagas, is the man behind this airy restaurant that serves up simply prepared modern Australian dishes with high-quality ingredients. Soft leather chairs, furniture and decor from Willis' own home and a romantic ambiance make this a destination.
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Most Recent Reviews
Could eat here every week . Everything works - great food, diversity, flavors, service - feels like you're in your own living room. Perfect spot
Just like the previous reviewer, I agree that the attitude of that particular waitress is awful.[mabuhay to you] I love the food but it's a bitter-sweet experience when you have such a terrible attitude to customers. I have decided to stop going here until that particular person has left. The other staff are pretty friendly.
I reluctantly took a friend visiting from Vancouver to Mr Willis last Saturday, August 6th for brunch. I say reluctantly because the last time I went there, I asked for my exactly 4 times over a span of what seems like an eternity before the Filipino head waitress nearby tsked really loudly then turned to us with a horrible frown and said "ok please one moment!!!!~~!!", and that left a bad taste in my mouth (and no water).
This time, I ordered from the same waitress, the broccoli salad, whilst pointing to the menu at the broccoli salad. She didn't look up from her palm and said ok. Afterwards she repeated what we ordered, which included yogurt+fruit bowl, a risotto and a Spanish omelet. First thing to arrive was the salad, and after my friend had mixed it, I asked him if he had ordered the rocket salad and he said no. We then realized they gave us the wrong salad, and I called the waitress over.
"Excuse me but I ordered the broccoli salad, I think this is the rocket salad" The waitress frowns and says "NO, you ordered the rocket salad" "umm no, I know what I ordered, a broccoli salad, could you change it please" The waitress tsks and frowns even deeper, replies very impatiently "but I repeated it to you, I said rocket salad" "well I even pointed to you broccoli salad, and obviously we both heard each other wrong, could I just have the broccoli salad please?" With an extreme frown and irritated tone, she retorted "but I repeated rocket salad to you, and you said yes!! This is what you ordered!"
I was about to get up from my seat out of exasperation but my friend pulled me down, and he practically begged that waitress to change it to the broccoli salad. After a while, she came back and practically threw the broccoli salad onto our table.
Was all that argument necessary? Just change the salad! That really isn't a way to talk/face/treat to your customers. I'll never go back again.
nice place, but dont think its quite for me. a bit on the expensive side, portions a bit small. I left still hungry and I am not a big eater...
I've been here once for brunch, and once for dinner. The dinner experience was so long ago I barely remember. However, I recently went for brunch and it was wonderful. A nice atmosphere, and good selection. It is definitely pricey though. The spinach eggs Benedict was absolutely delicious. It was very buttery, which I was not immediately fond of since I try to eat healthy. But I do have to admit that the sauce was rich and delicious, the eggs cooked perfectly, and the muffins also very good. Everyone at the table was jealous of my order! We had no problem with the wait staff as some people have commented, but I'm used to service in China so maybe my expectations are low. If you're looking for a place that is "chic" and feels straight out of Napa, try this restaurant.
I went there twice : - once for business dinner with my boss. - once with my girlfriend : a disaster ! The "lovely" "kind of" manager is a shame for this place and I still do not understand why people are going there !! Everytime we were asking something ( salt - water - wine - which is quite normal in a restaurant ) we were given a roasting by this charming bulldog !
I definitely do not recommend this place.
I'd been willing to try this venue for a while now. Well, I just went for brunch, and was very disappointed. Poor service and overpriced food were the main contributors. I've always been upset by restaurants that serve juices with ice cubes. I believe this is to save a few pennies, and on a RMB46 juice, was shameful (especially when it's almost freezing outside). The 2 eggs/muffin and bacon was completely overpriced at RMB85, with a disgusting hollandaise sauce. I'm putting 2 stars because my wife actually liked her pancakes, but that's charity. The service was rude and our requests have been ignored. Stay away from that place.
We have been there 2 times already for lunch in the past few weeks. Food was great and the ingredients were very fresh. Presentation of the food was excellent. We kept asking the wait staff about the dishes on other people's tables coz they looked so good and delicious. Will return for sure!
Service is friendly but a bit slow. Atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch with friends. A bit on the pricey side though.
Not sure if you are all talking about the same restaurant - the place you should be talking about is Mr. Willis on Anfu Lu. Great food with interesting ideas and even better they don't treat vegetarians like some weird species! Really really fresh food with some fun twists. Unpretentious atmosphere but great decor. Even better, the restaurant is in Jingan so you don't need to go all the way to the Bund for a five star restuarant!
The menu has just changed - try the Wagyu flank steak. Delicious.
We have been to Mr Willis regularly since it opened and always really enjoyed it. It draws a cosmopolitan crowd and has a relaxing atmosphere. Lovely space - light during the day and intimate in the evening. A good range of flavoursome and hearty dishes with decent size portions that can be shared - love the foie gras with caramelised onions, antipasti, roast chicken and red snapper. This is not intended to be nouvelle cuisine. They are also very accommodating and creative for vegetarian dishes (more than just risotto, even tho' the risotto is good!) - just ask. Also a broad selection of wines to suit different budgets. The Prosecco and Cremant are v good value, as is the Chapoutier organic C du Rhone. Nice to have dessert wines and port available too. Perhaps the service struggles slightly when busy, but the staff are always friendly and do try. Mr Willis is smart but not swanky. Sorry to read that others have had an underwhelming experience because I really like it - but hopefully that means I will get a booking when I want one!
Been there 3x now.. the first time it was really good..but the experience was never completely regained. I think for the type of food it is, it's overpriced.
It's fantastic that finally, for those that have been here for all these years, that we can finally have a little bit of the comforts of home in the tree lined streets of Shanghai. This vibrant gem, atop old Shanghai is a must if you need a taste of home, the warmth of the sunny beaches of Australia and easy going patrons.
Mr. Willis himself, a veteran of Shanghai punches above his weight (and height) to deliver fresh, focused and scrummy portions of Roast Chicken, veal shank, salmon at half the prices of those on the bund.
Congradulations on a fine resturant and we will be back as soon as we can get a table.
J Chapman, T Goh
Just ate here for the first time on a recommendation - not overly impressed; decor nice, ambience good, but the key thing which would keep me going back -the food was only just OK, nothing amazing. The service was adequate, just. Despite this the venue was packed - people who have bought into the concept maybe? Value for money, I think it is below average. For half a rather small chicken (which admittedly was moist with a crispy skin) the price is way too high as was the tiny green salad - which was actually mostly bitter red leaves - green is green guys! Come on - get the portion sizes right and stop being so stingy. We have lots of choices in Shanghai. Living off the name Wilis alone will not keep this place in business indefinitely. I liked the tea, and background music.
Poor, over-priced and terrible service. lots of hype, but way better places to go and spend your money. Venue itself is lovely and bakers downstairs is fab! so not all bad
What is it with eateries that open and raise expectations after the first visit and are a total let down the next time round? Not many restaurants in town seem to be able to offer a consistent product........(anyone out there reading this......let me know if you find out any consistently good restaurants!)
Visited this restaurants about 2 weeks after it opened and it was good. Excellent fresh and simply cooked meals with a great ambience, vibe and although service was slow and not too professional (it was acceptable)......even though it was expensive (Almost RMB 500 per head).
Recently went again and it was a total let down (perhaps my expectations were too high after 1st visit). Food was off target (portions seemed to have shrunk and prices were a tad higher than I recalled, service slow (& we had problems with our drink orders that were not well handled)and our group didn't enjoy the evening. With a price tag of RMB 600+ a head, I expected something more.
Doubt I'll be going back in a hurry.
Not worth it - way too expensive!
Went there last week. Had suckling pig, roasted chicken, and antipasti. Loved all the antipasti dishes. Unfortunately, the suckling pig is dry and very disappointing (besides the ridiculous price). Roasted chicken is good, but for that price, I expected something but ordinary. If it's not because of my respect for Mr. Willis, I would probably give it a 2 stars. And if I didn't enjoy the place so much, I would give it only a single star. If I would go back again??... may be..
A great aussie find! Excellent food, pretty good service and fantastic ambience. We were there on a friday night and it was just buzzing w/ groups of people and dinner dates! The food is a clear winner from start to finish. A must try!
The steaks are HOW much?
Went to Mr. Willis for the second time tonight. We went a couple of weeks ago and had the beef steak, and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to give it another try. However, we were incredibly disappointed.
Not only has the price gone up from 395 RMB to 495, but the steak now comes alone, without the delicious thyme-cooked potato wedges and zucchini. Initially, the waitress didn't tell us about this when we ordered; another member of staff came to tell us. I kicked up a fuss about this, asking why the dish was now one hundred kuai more expensive for less food. The waiter went to check with the manager, who finally gave us a portion of potato wedges for free.
Even still, I will not be going back. 495 yuan is far too much for a single steak, however tasty it was. Why scrimp on the side dishes? How much can a couple of potatoes and zucchini really cost? Why be so stingy?
The original steak dinner would have had me returning time and time again; now, it's off my list. A shame, as it's a great restaurant. I just don't like to be ripped off.
Great food - and great atmosphere... Service needs work but they are getting there - its only soft opening at the moment.
the roast chicken and suckling pig are a must!
Love the fact that Chef Craig is in the kitchen every night - clearly loves his craft and his staff...
Cant say enough about the place been there 3 times in the last two weeks... A winner!!
It takes a lot to make me want to praise a restaurant, last time i praised one was over a year ago when Cantina opened. Theres 4 places i visit now that are worthy of my praise and my wallet opening. 1, Le Bouchon, 2, The Closed Door, 3, El Willy, 4, Cantina Agave. Last night we stumbled onto the 5th. Mr Willis Mr Willis Mr Willis. I will say it again for the hard of hearing "MR WILLIS" From entering - to leaving everything was exceptional and i mean exceptional. The bread was warm and moist, the antipasti was fresh, the beef was cooked rare how we ordered it and was melt in the mouth served with creamy bearnaise sauce, fresh crisp arugula and grilled eggplants with zucchini. The roast potato wedges with thym and garlic were crispy outside and fluffy outside and beautifully soaked up the jus which was also served alongside the beef. Limon Gelato was soft, zingy, tangy and well presented, Red Velvet was a chocalohoics wet dream and the double expresso was hot, strong and hit the spot. Its all very affordable. We had wine and pate too and it came to Rmb800. You can eat for cheaper, they do a fantastic whole roast Chicken to share with veggies for around Rmb150. Say Hi to Craig Willis the Owner/Chef when you go, hes hard at work in the open kitchen but will have time to shake your hand and have a few words before he cracks on. I was told a few months ago by a cowboy chef/ who worked in a "cowboy themed" restaurant that "I wasnt a food critic and shouldn`t spout off about a places on the internet" (He was just mad coz his place got slammed in the press and i didnt like it too) Im putting th DjSexyPaul stamp of approval on Mr Willis. 3rd Floor. 195 Anfu Lu/Wulumuqi Lu Phone 5404 0200 If you dont like it, then check your pulse Here endeth the lesson
New Eats | Australian Standout
This new restaurant run by Australian chef Craig Willis of Wagas fame is already so popular, you’ll need a reservation on a weekend evening. The cozy urban-style loft features hardwood floors, an open kitchen and soft Danish leather seats that are comfortably spaced out so that you can chat to your neighbors.
We received a few cheerful recommendations from a couple who planned to make Mr. Willis their regular neighborhood restaurant, even though they lived in Hongqiao. The menu itself i s straightforward and unintimidating, underscoring Willis' insistence on fresh, simple food.
We began with butter soaked grilled scallops (¥78) served over curry lentils and topped with a smear of fruity, roasted tomato chutney. The scallops were succulent, but the real standouts were the flavorful lentils, with their meaty undertones and slices of verdant spinach. A small green salad (¥30) was chockfull of leafy greens in a light vinaigrette.
For mains we tried the grilled salmon (¥125) with asparagus and the Mr. Willis roast chicken (half for ¥115). The simple preparation of the salmon revealed the flavors of a generous slab of grilled fish alongside a scattering of crispy asparagus. We weren’t as impressed with the roast chicken. It was tender with a delightful crispy skin, but oil coated the plate and the light dipping sauce had a bitter aftertaste. The best part of the entrée was a medley of roasted pumpkins with herbs–a comforting taste of the fall with the sweet orange pumpkin singing with flavors.
We didn’t have room for the handful of heavenly-sounding desserts, but our by-the-glass Australian shiraz (¥65) was so delightfully lush that we had a second glass. The bustling yet laid-back environment, reasonable prices, and subtle but sublime food are guaranteed to put this new restaurant on the Shanghai food map.
Kellie Schmitt