Built in 1916 on Shanghai's famous Bund, Number Three was acquired a few years ago by the well known lawyer Handel Lee, who promptly brought in Michael Graves, one of the worlds top architects, to help over see the revival of this historic and grand dame of a building. Covering 12,000 square meters amongst 7 fl oors, Three on the Bund has been designed as a complete experience - with four individually unique restaurants, two bars, a music lounge, a spa, the Shanghai Gallery of Art as well as Giorgio Armani's fl agship fashion outlet. Wow it almost seems too much - but what's it really like ?

Up on the seventh fl oor, New Heights is a small, yet stylish bar with balcony that overlooks the Bund with views right across the Huangpu. The Cupola here - a Roman temple-cum-light house (originally a bell-house) is open for exclusive parties with private butler, while on the second fl oor there is a table for just two, making it probably one of the most romantic dining rooms in the world with 360 degree views and a domed celing. Back to the New Heights Bar proper - they mix a mean martini and there is a good cocktail list. We're not so sure about the layout of the associated restaurant, which appears rather intimidat ing and unfriendly in design, (you need to walk past it to get to the bar) although the place was full. The menu is a bit non-descript however, a half hearted attempt at Asian Fusion, and there is better here at Three on the Bund to properly tempt the palate. However, the bar, with those fantastic views, is superb, and there are few places that can match it for sipping a 6 o'clock Gin & Tonic...less of the restaurant area though, and extend the bar please...

THIRD DEGREE - 7/f

A music lounge, with a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere, we love the white stone bar set amongst red / blue velvet seatings and a small terrace overlooking the Bund. Third Degree hasn't yet been discovered by the Shanghai set, and that is a shame - for us this could become one of the most happening bars in the city. You can't go wrong with the walk in cigar humidor and wine cellar either - and the selection of wines throughout the building is just superb. Third Degree is about to become the place to go - and before it gets too popular go check it out with a bunch of friends to see what all the fuss is about.

LARIS

We LOVE Laris ! David Laris is a Greek-Australian (say "Yasso" (hello) to him when you're there) who has had a fair bit of mileage under his belt as an internationally re nowned chef, including Terence Conrans "Mezzo" in London. Laris is David's fi rst sig nature restaurant, designed by Michael Graves, and is divided up into six ‘experiences' - all signifi cantly different. For us, there is no better place than David's "Fins, Claws & Wings" gourmet bar, with an excellent selection of fresh oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters and caviars from a variety of different locations around the world. We tried 12 French Oysters and 12 tiny Japanese Oysters and boy they were good. A word to the wise here - it may be unfashionable but try with a bottle of Bullicart-Salmon Rose Champagne - absolutely fantastic and a great match with David's seafood here. About time Pink Champagne was rehabili tated in our opinion. We followed that with two crabs, served chilled on a bed of Mediterranean salad and fi nished off with yet more Bullicart-Salmon and a grilled lamb dish. Absolutely superb and one of the best dining experiences in Shanghai. But still we were not done...

JEAN GEORGES Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the worlds top chefs, period. Now you don't get that in China every day. Establishments he has under his wing include Jean Georges in Manhattan's Trump Tower - one of only four New York Restaurants awarded 4 stars by the New York Times, the world famous Vong in Hong Kong, Jo Jo, Prime, and 66. When Food & Wine magazine start calling you "one of the hottest chef's alive" and Bon Appetit describe you as a ‘legend' - you can pretty much bet that the cuisine is going to be superlative. And at Three on the Bund, it is. Again designed by Michael Graves, the interior is old school discretion, wood paneled in dark brown, tigerwood and amber, with the furnishings in a dark and cobalt blues - this is an experience. The bar, sleek and sexy, extends down the centre, while the entire restaurant overlooks the Bund and the stunning vista across the river. The wine cellar here holds over 5,000 bottles - some very rare - with a vaulted chateau style chalk tunnel that can also be booked as a room for 26. Afternoon here is bright and sparkling, the sun bouncing off the décor, while evening brings intrigue, ambience and warmth. Full after David Laris' excellent dinner, we didn't eat here, but we did hang out at the bar - and by jove the kitchen's aroma is leading us back to Jean Georges as soon as we can...

Jereme Leung is one of Asia's youngest master chefs, and he brings a great Shanghainese restaurant to the Three on the Bund experience. Classic, and understated, Jereme also has a selection of over 50 teas from across China ready for the discerning palate, while the menu is created with several Shanghai master chefs matched with his own contemporary interpretations. "I have a deep respect for the basics and quality of the ingredients" says Jereme, "I have a great passion for this great Chinese cuisine" Three on the Bund also offers a men's and ladies spa, plus of course the Shanghai Gal lery of Art. The personnel who have developed the concept of the entire building being an experience have been visionary in their skills - there really is something for everyone here. We like the early evening loosening up at New Heights, nipping down to Laris for some of his fantastic seafood, and winding up late on at Jean George for a snifter. From there - well nightclubs are once again reclaiming the Bund as they did seventy years ago - number 18 has a great club (Club Rouge) on the top fl oor, again with fantastic views. Shanghai is fi nally once again, after so many decades in the wilderness, reclaiming back it's gem of a Bund as a place of fi ne dining, drinking, conversation and romance, and none more so than Three On The Bund. You NEED to be here. Three on The Bund: www.threeonthebund.com