Around Expo...

Spain Pavilion’s New Gastronomy Fiesta sees a short number of diners trekking to their weekly rotations of world-class chefs. Held at the Acqua restaurant in Pudong's Hotel Gran Melia, the Spanish government-sponsored event which spans to October has been experiencing lackluster numbers despite the Michelin-starred chefs that travel specially to Shanghai. In light of this week's menu that exhibits the Valencia region, the event's PR manager, Patricia Ortega Dolz noted, "In Europe, you would have to pay around 100-150 euro for these meals." The 37 chefs in total featured during these weeks have 49 Michelin stars between them. What more do you people want?

Around Shanghai...

Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta opens in the International Financial Center Mall. As one of the largest BV shops in Asia, this marks the third store in Shanghai. Setting up shop in Lujiazui’s IFC Mall, the luxury boutique designed by creative director Tomas Maier spans more than 300 meters and features walnut tables, leather door handles, and aerodynamic window slats. If this is a response to the garish diamond-encrusted Louis Vuitton next door, we're bored already. Next!

Bathhouses increase in popularity as hotel rooms become more scarce. As more tourists come for the Expo, people are utilizing the city's 600 bathhouses for accommodations while hotel bookings have remained full since May. Some say that they are uncomfortable sleeping in the same room with a stranger, but are willing for the low price. We advise buying an eye mask to protect yourself from the leery.

Police warn Shanghainese about ruthless bus thieves. With a report of an increase on bus crimes, Shanghai officials caution passengers to watch out for their belongings when taking city buses. One victim had her gold necklace torn off before she and her friends chased down the thief. To the idiot who decided to mess with a girl's baubles—you deserved it.

Around China...

Usher performs with Wang Leehom at his first ever China concert in Beijing. Usher said that he thought audience participation in Asian markets is "very odd" because people refrain from masking his singing with their own out of respect. MTV News reports that the hip-hop star even sang Leehom's hit "My One and Only" in Mandarin at the Wukesong Arena. Let's hope it was better than Kobe's butchered "ni hao" at the USA Pavilion.

CNN Go reports that LeBron James joins the Miami Heat in attempts to crack China. In their commentary based on Jack Perkowski's Forbes blog, they claim that James joined as a means to tap into China's basketball fans and market potential. We're sure he couldn't bear to part with his best friends 4ever either.