(That's Shanghai )
Updated: 2007-02-13 11:35

From its tongue-twister name to its charming taxi cab ads, Syzygy is a triumph of marketing. This cavernous restaurant is full of kitschy "futuristic"touches, including heat-sensing table lamps that flicker when you wave your hand above them. Even the wait staff's uniforms - with a gesture toward B-movie, space invader costumes - demonstrate an offbeat sense of humor.

Happily, it's not all style over substance: we enjoyed an excellent beef goulash soup (RMB 21), a thin, crispy sausage and mushroom pizza (RMB 75) and a surprisingly sophisticated risotto (RMB 54). As usual, the problem may be location. Their tongue-in-cheek designation of the neighborhood as "Outer Pudongland" is sadly accurate. Despite the whimsy and the warmth, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park is still very far away. The future of Shanghai may very well be in the suburbs, but Syzygy is a few years ahead of the crowd.

Food: 3/ Service: 3/ Atmosphere: 3/ Cost for two (excluding drinks): RMB 232

Syzygy 

Address: German Centre, 1/F, 88 Keyuan Lu, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong
Tel:021-2898 4115