Otto Gourmet Cafe

We are back to Otto again (see previous visits here and here). We tend to have second thought about going there because of its expensive wine list but since I'm not drinking it didn't seem as painful.

We were served bread and dips right away, the dips were different than what we had previously and my favourite basil dip was gone! Why?
On this visit we decided to try a few things from the tapas menu since we were not overly hungry. Here we have the paella (RMB38). We didn't really expect much from a tapas paella but the dish tasted nothing resembling paella at all. Instead we had what can be described as a fishy runny risotto. Not very good at all.
We had a bit more luck with the meatballs (RMB38). Made of lamb the meatballs were nicely seasoned with a hint of cumin seeds. A good dish to pick at.
Another disappointing dish: spinach pie (RMB38). The so-called mini pies were actually just tiny bits of spinach smears folded in filo pastry. We thought the effort was pathetic and sloppy.
Our parma ham pizza (RMB78) redeemed some points for the otherwise rather disappointing dinner so far. The crust was nice and crispy and they kept the dish simple with good quality ham.Dinner for two came to RMB298. We saw on the menu about Asia Miles points collection but were turned away because one has to spend RMB300 in order to qualify. We asked perhaps we could get charged RMB300 anyway and the answer was no once again. Pretty anal!

Otto Gourmet Cafe
85 Fumin Rd. (nr. Julu Rd.), Shanghai. Tel: 6248-9186