The Devil Eats Chocolate

There's nothing awful about it

It's chocolate from top to bottom at this new Xiangyang Lu store as Awfully Chocolate offers awfully chocolately treats to the masses. Anyone who's ever tried to find a descent cake for a birthday or any other celebration will tell you that it is a task not easily accomplished. Whether it's too much cream, not enough flavor, too much jelly or not enough fruit, that perfect bakery delight remains woefully elusive. No longer. Those who adore chocolate can dig into the moist layers of these cakes, resplendent with cocoa-y goodness. For a more intense chocolate fix, try the selection of truffles and chocolate sweets or cool down with some decadently refreshing chocolate ice cream.

Faulty Sunglasses

Fake market shipment gone awry?

Bundles of sunglasses made by leading international brands Prada, Esprit and MaxMara failed a quality inspection by the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau this month. Ten types of sunglasses out of 67 were found to have quality problems. Most suffered from an improper light-transmission ratio or an inadequate anti-ultraviolet function, said the bureau.

Go big or go home

China's largest outlets hit Jinshan

By the end of this year, Jinshan is expected to play host to the largest outlet store in China. The outlet will include most top international brands, supplied in large quantities and at low prices. Jinshan is conveniently located at a nexus point between Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and other cities and the store will likely attract many tourists to the area.

New Boutique Hotel

Shanghai's own ivy league

Jing'An District is soon to play host to a new boutique hotel, "The Ivy," run by the new hotel and resort management group, Cyrus. Formerly a cinema complex, the building will be converted into a 46-room hotel that will include a Japanese restaurant, a cultural lounge and spa. Paris-based interior designer Dillon Garris has been given the task of transforming the building into a sleek hotel while remaining sensitive to its historical and cultural heritage and presenting a strong focus on Chinese contemporary and visual arts.