HFZ Gourmet & Lounge in its original incarnation was opened in 1935 as “Chez Revere” and was located on the road that is now known as Huaihai Lu. Some mystery surrounds the expatriate couple that took on this adventure. The husband was Italian and reputed to have hotel experience. His wife, a French lady, was merely said to have a reputation!
Enjoying moderate success, the restaurant was relocated to Ya Er Pei Lu (now known as Shanxi Nan Lu) in 1940 and was reborn as “Chez Louis”. The next and final transformation came in 1949, after the founding of the People’s Republic, when the name was changed to Hong Fang Zi. This name was suggested to the owners by Mei Lan Fang, the most renowned Peking Opera star of his time.
Under its new moniker, Hong Fang Zi quickly gained a reputation for excellent cuisine and over the decades has played host to several international stars and PRC Chairmen such as Chairman Liu, Chairman Zhou and Chairman Deng. Indeed, Chairman Liu has been quoted as saying that Hong Fang Zi was “…a small restaurant with a huge reputation.”
The new HFZ Gourmet & Lounge intends to uphold this reputation as it revives Shanghai’s premier French restaurant, by creating innovative French and international cuisine – including our favorite, escargot.
Set lunch menus are 108 RMB, while dinner sets run 208 RMB. Dinner served until “late”. DJs also spin Fridays & Saturdays from 11pm-2am.