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indalo

Derived from the Latin Indal Eccius, Indalo means ”messenger of the gods”. Typically, this bearer of good tidings is represented by the figure of a man holding a rainbow, the latter a symbol thought to ward off evil and bring good fortune. The message sent by Shanghai’s Indalo is equally fortunate: Here, one can meet with friends for cosy gatherings an intimate conversations in a pleasant space with wood floors, and half-circle lounge areas. The menu, too, provides much pleasure. We were smitten with the Portuguese sausage with cider (RMB 50) and the deep fried Portuguese codfish rolls (RMB 30), though the latter portion was disappointingly small. Our main course of chicken and Portuguese sausage paella (RMB 135) tasted more like a risotto-our request for a longer cooking time was apparently not heeded. Nevertheless, the Filipino wait staff is warm and friendly, as befits a messenger of fine Latin cuisine.

Spanish Indalo
Chic tapas

Exquisite is perhaps the only word that does justice to the flavors and ambiance of Indalo, a new high-end Spanish restaurant on Sinan Lu. From the moment we stepped in, everything suggested our experience was going to be special: The professionalism and discreteness of the staff, the crescent-shaped separes, the muted lighting over each individual table, the sleek cutlery, the rich orange walls, the tables ornamented with mosaic tiles, the soft Spanish music and the smell of fresh lilies that permeate the restaurant. Although the paella with chicken and chorizo (RMB 145) was slightly disappointing, we recommend the other tapas we savored: Beef filet with smoked cheese, Iberian boar croquettes, garlic shrimps, Andalusian gazpacho and brave potatoes (RMB 25-60). Order a bottle of crisp white wine, and let your romantic self take over. Although the main dishes are enough to satisy, leave room for the desserts: We suggest blackberry cheesecake or crispy caramel. Indalo is not among the cheaper options Shanghai has to offer, but it’s among the best.

Med Menus
Indalo

There aren’t many finer ways to dine than the way the Iberians do it, eating small, tasty tapas long after sunset and savoring your Rioja till even the cicadas are sleepy. And perhaps there aren’t many finer ways to eat in Shanghai than the way they do it at Indalo – certainly not when it comes to good food and wine at a great value.
Exorcising the curse that saw Madam Zung and Shanghai Sally’s flounder in this same spot, Indalo has made better use of the space than its predecessors. The depressing basement has been abandoned and an attractive white ceiling has been fitted in the ground floor, as have other Spanish touches, like brick archways, shuttered windows, and simple red and white décor.
While a couple of the dishes we tried erred on the pedestrian – tomatoes stuffed with an unexciting chicken salad, and run-of-the-mill fried calamari – most were highly impressive. We loved the Portuguese chorizo in cider and the meaty marinated octopus. Also try the cured pork tenderloin with medallions of rich, salty ham that are perfect with a tomato smeared slice of crusty bread. And if the tapas were good, the chicken paella was splendid – rich but not stodgy, perfectly al dente, and with plenty of bite.
Indalo also distinguishes itself by boasting one of the most affordable wine lists around – 24 wines by the glass, and several good bottles for under RMB200. It’s a formula that can only succeed. Daily 5pm-10.30pm, all cards.