Fountain
181 Taicang Lu
Xin Tian Di
Shanghai, China
PRICE: ????
RATING:

I insisted we check out Fountain when I heard good reviews of the place. That means I was wanting to find great things and eager to be able to write a good review, but they failed so miserably that it’s sad to say we left sorely disappointed. A casual bistro in Xintiandi, Fountain looked open and inviting with large-paned glass walls and quiet but attentive staff. They weren’t particularly warm (a smile won’t hurt, people), but weren’t flat-out rude either.

We pretty much balked when we saw their menu. I understand Xintiandi is ludicriously overpriced, but I’d expect QUALITY and QUANTITY to come with those prices. The Organic Tomato & Arugala Salad was OK. After all, there’s nothing much in making a salad, right 😉 It was, however, drenched in balsamic. I would’ve preferred them to go lighter on it, and/or put it on the side. Tomatoes were large, red and fresh, which was great.

My Atlantic white cod fillet in a light crispy batter, creamy tartare, tomato sauce, vinegar. Served with organic salad and french fries was a complete JOKE. “Where’s the fish???” we said when it arrived. You see. it comes in a newspaper cone, and they VERY obviously put the 2 mini slices of fish at the opening of the cone, so you think it’s flled with fish, but really, it’s just 2 tiny fish nuggets and a huge tumble of fries. I’m sorry, but 140? (US$20) (!!!!!) for 2 fish nuggets and fries? STOP TAKING THE PISS. The fish was good, albeit a little to firm for my liking. However, it was just so SMALL it was more like a (mini) appetizer. And the fries? Over-cooked and hard fries. Either they’d cooked it too long, or used (re-used) old oil. It made my throat feel sore and weird afterwards. I appreciated the 3 dipping sauces – tartare, tomato and vinegar – it was a lovely touch. The dish could have been so much better if they’d give AT LEAST 3x the amount of fish, and cooked the fries properly. Oh, you do get a side salad, and I loved how they chopped up the lettuce small so it was easy to eat. It was however so DRENCHED in dressing I couldn’t stomach more than a few mouthfuls.

Very disappointing when I had such high hopes and was convinced I’d be writing a fantastic review. It’s a shame a restaurant in a ritzy area has chosen to scrimp on food when it’s blatently obvious they’re charging the sky. What a shame.

Fountain

Inside.

Organic Tomato & Arugala Salad

Atlantic white cod fillet in a light crispy batter, creamy tartare, tomato sauce, vinegar. Served with organic salad and french fries

You can spot me in the overhead mirror 😛