Stepping into Popolo, the decor clued us in on the "fusionistic" affair we were about to experience at this Italian cafe with an taste for the Asian.

We were off to a rocky start with the Margherita and Spinach Winding (30 yuan), an oily spring roll filled with spinach and cheese. However, the Bacon and Walnut Salad's (32 yuan) fresh greens sprinkled with walnuts, the crunchiest bacon in town and a soy and vinegar dressing revived us.

For our main, we stuck to the chef's recommendations–Beef with Eggplant Pasta (45 yuan) and Mixed Seafood's Pizza (68 yuan). Ample servings were packed with a mix of flavors which managed to satisfy without confusing our taste buds.

The true find was the Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Chocolate (28 yuan)–two slivers of warm chocolate cake topped with creme caramel-tainted vanilla ice cream. Simply divine.

Popolo
Add: 139 Tai'an Lu
Tel: 021-6281-4891

(cityweekend.com.cn by Sabine Chichioco January 7, 2008)