(That's Shanghai )
Updated: 2006-10-17 17:29

Gourmet pizzas certainly aren't new to Shanghai, but the concept of fast food gourmet pizza was a niche that perhaps only the popular French chain La Boite a Pizza could properly fill.

And fill it they do with toppings like smoked salmon, baby scallops, fois gras and duck breast at Pizza Hut prices. Their escargot pizza (RMB 68/98/128) is a surprising success, while the crispy, snack-sized baguette pizzas are a steal at RMB 28-35. Even more surprising, the fast food take on French onion soup (RMB 20) was far better than one might expect, if not quite up to the level of formal French dining. With a variety of affordable salads, soups and sides, and lunch set menus ranging from RMB 48-68, La Boite a Pizza brings flair and affordability to the pizza parlor.

La Boite a Pizza
Location: 374 Dagu Lu, by Chengdu Nan Lu
Tel: 021-63400901
Opening time: 11am-10pm. No cards.
Cost for two (excluding drinks): RMB 116