Jean-Georges arrives in Shanghai to launch Signature Restaurant

One of the world's most celebrated chefs, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, will arrive in Shanghai at the weekend to preside over the launch of his first signature restaurant in China, Jean Georges Shanghai, the only Jean Georges outside of New York.

Bringing his evocative sense of style to the city's latest lifestyle landmark, Three on the Bund, Vongerichten will personally present his groundbreaking cuisine at both lunch and dinner from Monday April 5th through Saturday April 10th.

The Jean Georges concept originated in New York at his namesake restaurant in Manhattan's elite Trump International Hotel & Tower. Since then, Jean Georges New York has won many plaudits, amongst them a 4-star rating by the New York Times - a distinction shared with only four other restaurants in the city.

Commenting on the philosophy of the Jean Georges concept, Vongerichten says: "The French cuisine at Jean Georges is very light and uses mainly locally grown organic produce and the freshest seafood. Also, we present the food tableside, bringing the excitement and the wonderful aromas of food preparation into the dining room."

To ensure guests select the most suitable wines to accompany their meal, Jean Georges Shanghai has a wine cellar that holds over 5,000 bottles, including some choice selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace.

"All the wines are specially selected for their compatibility with various dishes," says Jean George's award-winning sommelier Yvonne Chiong, one of Asia's youngest and only female sommeliers.

Despite his critic-wowing eateries in multiple countries, Vongerichten says that out of all his restaurants the 1,500-square-meter Jean Georges Shanghai is already his favorite. "I love it best," he says, "because the design is so exciting."

Celebrated architect Michael Graves designed Jean Georges Shanghai, using a style inspired by the grandeur and romantic French influence of old Shanghai.