Modern European cuisine by acclaimed UK chef Jason Atherton- set within The Waterhouse at South Bund
July 18th, 2013
A fortuitous collaboration between UK chef Jason Atherton and Singaporean hospitality entrepreneur Loh Lik Peng led to the 2010 opening in Shanghai of the first independently owned restaurant by Atherton- Table No 1 by Jason Atherton– located within the design boutique hotel owned and developed by Loh’s Unlisted Collection group- The Waterhouse on South Bund. Subsequent to the opening of Table No 1, the pair have jointly opened further restaurants in Singapore (Esquina, Pollen and Keong Saik Snacks) , and recently a second Shanghai restaurant- The Commune Social. And with several new projects currently under development, the burgeoning expansion of Atherton’s restaurants in Asia and beyond continues unabated.
Following a stellar cooking career that culminated in helming the culinary team at the Gordon Ramsay Group’s renowned London restaurant- maze– where the restaurant gained a Michelin star under his stewardship, Jason Atherton has been widely acclaimed as one of a new generation of celebrity chefs influencing global culinary trends. Restaurants under the Atherton banner are synonymous with his signature concept of social dining- within casual and contemporary settings- serving fine modern European cuisine- served without any pretensions and attitude. As the first iteration of this concept, Table No 1 in Shanghai exemplifies perfectly these defining principles of Atherton’s social dining concept.
Since its opening in 2010, with head chef Scott Melvin leading the Table No 1 kitchen, the restaurant has garnered numerous industry awards and considerable critical acclaim in the competitive Shanghai dining scene. Chef Scott Melvin has recently opened, and heads up the new Atherton restaurant in Shanghai- The Commune Social– and the culinary team at Table No 1 is now helmed by chef Christopher Pitts who moved across from the famous Sir Elly’s fine dining restaurant at The Peninsula Shanghai. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Table No 1 serves an appetizing modern European cuisine based on freshly sourced local produce, with many dishes designed tapas-style for sharing. Soundly executed modern cooking technique is complimented by attractive presentation to present diners with an appealing assemblage of dishes. In addition to the a la carte menu, options include an Express Menu– for both lunch and early dinner- offering three courses for RMB188; and a Chef Choice Sharing Menu priced at RMB 788 for two persons. Among many standout dishes are the Suckling Pork Shoulder– Seared potato gnocchi, Swiss chard; Roasted turbot on the bone– saffron mash, crab salad, salsa verde; and Shrimp & Fresh Corn Grits- poached egg, red rye gravy.
Located on the street level of the restored 4 level docklands warehouse building, Table No 1 occupies a bright and casual space directly adjacent to the reception lobby of The Waterhouse. The main dining room features a contemporary design with an industrial chic flavor- original grey brick flooring blends with timber paneled ceilings and white unadorned walls. Tables are crafted from recycled timber planks, matched with sleek black upholstered dining chairs. The main room seats around 60 diners, with two compact private rooms located at opposite ends of the main space. An open-air courtyard presents a casual option for snacks and drinks. Table No 1 is open daily- and reservations are recommended for peak dining times.
In addition to Table No 1, The Waterhouse offers two other options for relaxed, casual drinks and small bites. The Lobby Bar serves all day drinks and light meals in a bright space that faces out onto the main road fronting the hotel; and The Roof at Waterhouse is a delightful garden terrace space on the 4th level rooftop- offering afternoon and evening cocktails, refreshing beverages, and tasty bar food. And with its fabulous, unobstructed panoramic views of the Huangpu River and the impressive modern skyscapers of the Pudong financial district on the opposite riverbank, an ideal retreat from the frenetic metropolis below.
Inside Table No 1
Main dining room at Table No 1 exudes a casual, relaxed presence- with simple yet elegant timber tables standing in an open space flanked on two sides with full height glass windows.
A series of large, solid timber communal tables help facilitate the social dining concept that is a hallmark of Jason Atherton’s restaurants both in UK and Asia.
Occupying a street level space within the restored 1930’s dockyard warehouse- contemporary furniture juxtaposes with the original grey brick flooring and raw concrete pillars.
Smaller of two private dining rooms- a timber lined intimate space for up to 8 diners.
An open-air courtyard adjacent to the restaurant offers a casual outdoor setting for drinks and snacks.
Highlights from the Table No 1 Menus
Tomato Salad- vanilla, lime and orange. (From new Express Menu- Lunch or Dinner)
Fine de Claire oyster- pickled chorizo, toasted sesame, garlic chive. ( From Chef Choice Sharing Menu)
Grilled Octopus Salad served chilled- white bean, confit lemon, tomato. (From new Express Menu)
Braised Ox Cheek- crispy shallot salad, grilled potato. (From new Express Menu)
The Waterhouse at South Bund- boutique hotel in restored 1930’s warehouse
A 1930’s South Bund dockyard warehouse has been transformed into the acclaimed design boutique hotel- The Waterhouse.
Reception lobby at The Warehouse- with the entrance to Table No 1 at one side of the reception counter.
Voluminous entrance lobby – with the Lobby Bar in the background.
The Courtyard- an outdoor space shared by the Lobby Bar and Table No 1
The Lobby Bar- full height glass suffuses the space with natural light and provides an outlook over the street activity.
The Roof @ Waterhouse- rooftop bar & garden terrace
Superb views of the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline from the fourth story rooftop terrace.
The Roof offers a casual setting for relaxed evening drinks and unobstructed panoramic views.
Recessed seating areas set within the rooftop garden are an alluring option for discrete cosy chats and drinks.
A large portion of the rooftop is utilised as a functional herb garden for the Table No 1 kitchen- whilst also providing a soothing garden feel to the rooftop space.
Table No 1 – modern European restaurant in Shanghai
Address: The Waterhouse at South Bund, 22Maojiayuan No.1-3, Zhongshan Dong South, Shanghai 200011. China
Metro: Line 9 Xiaonanmen
Enquiries: +86.21. 6080 2918
Website: www.tableno-1.com
www.waterhouseshanghai.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tableno.1
Opening Hours: Daily
Lunch : 12:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm ~ 10:30 pm
