Food Review: Mythos

FOOD & DRINK

Food Review: Mythos

Food Reviews
Monday, 07 December 2009 09:12
Written by Xinlei Wang

Just about everybody has heard of Cool Docks – a Xintiandi-inspired creative hub located south of the Bund that clusters a mix of European and Mediterranean restaurants, bars and clubs. Many people have also noticed that it has seemed quite empty since it opened last year – perhaps due to the world financial crisis, a comparatively inaccessible location, or the disturbances from nearby construction. Yet despite such issues, it is well worth taking a proper look.

Firstly, anyone with a taste for cultural exploration will be interested in the dock area, which has a history of nearly 1,000 years. The remaining shikumen structures, the old warehouse used by Green Gang boss Huang Jinrong, and the very first custom office in Shanghai all make good reasons for visiting.

Secondly, Shanghai’s gay community has recently adopted the area, adding to its cachet.

And last but not least, Cool Docks offers ample opportunity for fine, private dining, as exemplified by the Greek restaurant Mythos.

Decorated in white and blue hues, the restaurant communicates a sense of Aegean classicism. Its best feature is a third-floor lounge with comfy, spacious sofas, a balcony dripping with flowers and a real fireplace that will become an even more attractive draw as the cold weather draws in. The fourth-floor roof top terrace is perfectly suited to the balmy days of early fall and provides a quite distinctive perspective onto the South Bund and Pudong skylines.

The menu is replete with carefully-selected Greek staples, from Tzatziki and Mousaka to authentic Greek Salad, with a special emphasis on seafood items, such as grilled octopus, grilled sea bream, with a bountiful choice of vegetables dishes. The beef with onion and herb stew is especially worthy of mention.

For those who don’t know much about Greek food, set meals are an easy way in, offering four courses at a discounted price, ranging from RMB 198-298 per person.

Ouzo (Greece’s speciality liquor) is only RMB 35 per glass. Most of the other drinks, including imported Greek wines, are very reasonably priced.

Must-try Set Meal - RMB 218:
Green Garden Salad
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Grilled Red Sea Bream & King Prawns with Roasted Potato and Vegetables
Desert Cake

Frequenters: a mixture of locals and foreigners, business people.

Price of a good dinner for two persons: around RMB 500, including appetizer, soup, main course, dessert and wine.