Cometa Description

Coming from an architecture and design background respectively, Milan-native Alan Grillo and his Shanghainese wife Anqi Xu opened Cometa as a passion project in October 2021 – an aperitivo bistro where cross-cultural cuisine bridges Italian comfort food and Shanghainese classics. The venue also acts as a boutique clothing shop showcasing the duo’s designer pieces, brand collaborations and one-of-a-kind apparel made from reused vintage Chinese and Italian fabrics.

The menu is all about the memories – whether it’s nostalgic dishes recreated from childhood or cocktails conjured from shared experiences throughout their relationship – each mouthful is meant to connect with diners on both sensorial and emotional levels. Expect old school, “nonna-meets-ayi style” cooking, essentially traditional recipes that share similarities between both cuisines.

Named for the word “comet” in Italian – an orbiting object that absorbs energy and emits light without having the overly flashy gravitational pull that a star has – Cometa is all about absorbing inspiration from the owners’ experiences and sharing that passion through the food and drinks on offer. The goal is not to be Shanghai’s hottest – or flashiest – venue, but rather to “fly under the radar” as an everyday neighborhood hangout.