The Public, Shanghai
What is The Public The Public is a gastropub in every sense of the word. In Los Angeles, gastropubs popped up to serve food with a smattering selection of beers and drinks. The Public, does not feature many beers, but offers a list of finely-tuned and hand-crafted mixed drinks. Food at the Public is also an aspect they also take pride in with many American favorites. Previously known as the Apothecary, the Public is a joint effort between a group of haigui (sea turtles) – Asian expats returning back to their motherland.
Located in Sinan Mansions, The Public, has great competition when it comes to food with Boxing Cat Brewery, Shanghai Slims, and Fat Olive. When it comes to drinking, the fine folks at Alchemist Kitchen, Rhumerie Bounty, and Chicha will give the Public the run for the money.
What did I eat? I had heard and read about the Public’s famous fried chicken and wanted to go for awhile. I finally had the time and excuse to grab a couple of friends to try the Public’s Sunday Brunch. We had the Chicken & Waffles, Sausage – Andouille and Chicken & Apple, the Thick Cut Pastrami Sandwich, and the Soft Shell Crab Po’Boy sandwich. I think it was a bit much for 3 people – but we were hungry. I think we could have avoided the sausage – since I didn’t expect them to be so big & thick & long & juicy… yeah yeah yeah – its food!
When the Chicken & Waffles arrived, all I heard from my friends was ooohhh. . .ahhhh. .. .WOW… . They presented it with the chicken piled on high on top a thick cut waffle. I enjoyed the chicken as is, with juiciness – even with the notoriously dry white meat. Unfortunately, I barely tried the soft shell crab Po’Boy sandwich. I ripped off on the legs of the crab to try – which wasn’t bad at all. But the real reason why I came to the Public was to try the Pastrami. I am a huge fan of pastrami sandwiches – I have come far and near for Pastrami, from New York to LA, now to Shanghai. On presentation alone, The Public wins. I like the thick New York style slices, which crumble when you bite into the sandwich. The tangy thousand island dressing melts together the coleslaw to produce a one of my favorite flavor profiles. The Public makes it known that they brine, prep, and marinate this meat for hours on end, if not days – all in house. Yes, I win.
What I didn’t like I wish I had tried the Po’Boy, since I want to try the bread. From my experience, Po’Boys usually have the innards of the bread scooped out with the meat over flowing. So, next time I will do an in-depth study of the complexity and construction of the sandwich.
One thing I wish I had with the fried chicken was some gravy. If you are going to do chicken and waffles, since you are essentially mimicking Los Angeles’ famous Roscoe’s. If this is a salute to good American comfort food, might as well include gravy with the dish. Also, the waffles should have came with syrup, rather than having to ask for it. Who eats waffles without syrup? If you are going for a heart attack, might as well enjoy it.
And one more thing … as much as I like the food and drinks at the Public…I hate the blue interior. It’s like a sports bar from the US. You have all this nice exposed brick, and wood furniture. . .then you ruin it with this soft blue padding all around. WTF.
The Last Word I like the Public…I really do like the food. I like the drinks, the homemade tonics for the Gin & Tonics (my favorite drink) and I like the idea of having 3 different bloody mary’s. But the interior just kind of blows. Anyways… I’ll still go back.
Rating 2 Pigs Price Range 2 $/¥/NT – at 125 RMB for fried chicken and waffles appears to be high, as does the 75 RMB pastrami. But for some reason the 80 RMB Po’Boy soft shell crab seems ok.
Links Smart Shanghai, Shanghai Talk Magazine, Sugared And Spiced, City Weekend, Foursquare
The Public 思南公馆复兴中路507弄2号楼4楼, 近重庆路 Sinan Mansions, Block 2, 4/F, Lane 507 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Chongqing Lu +86 21 3368 9419 Mon-Fri 6 pm – late, Sat-Sun 11 am – late.
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