el Willy 1F Diage, 20 Dong Hu Lu (near Huai Hai Lu), Shanghai, China Tel: +86 21 5404 5757 URL: www.elwilly.com.cn

el Willy has received a warm reception from Shanghai foodies, not least because of its beautiful setting and chef Willy Trullas Moreno’s innovative menu. Tapas is a natural fit for Shanghai’s preference for small portions, and el Willy turns them out in unique combinations (raw scallop with avocado mousse anyone?). A crowd pleaser, the beef cheek with banana and passion fruit, justifies the five hours it takes to cook it. One could not ask for better ambience too – because the colonial villa in which el Willy sits is just beautiful.