---
"\xEF\xBB\xBFAt Merryl in, l u n c h shi f t bustles to full capacity with businessmen and office ladies alike, taking advantage of this crystalline-dripped eatery. In typical Shanghainese-style, we began with several starters": "the shredded turnip and jellyfish (\xC2\xA528)\xE2\x80\x94a bit hard to chew through and oily\xE2\x80\x93and kaofu with mushrooms and black fungus (\xC2\xA512), which, with a distinctive star anise aroma, was delicious. We wanted something light, but our vegetarian rolls wrapped in bean curd (\xC2\xA525) tasted oily instead, masking the flavors of the carrots and mushrooms inside. Something on the menu caught our eye\xE2\x80\x94beef with chocolate sauce (\xC2\xA538). The generous chops of beef were tender, drizzled in a sauce so surprising in flavor and peppery in taste that for a minute we thought we were dining at a Western restaurant. However, the coconut-bottomed red bean layer cake (\xC2\xA58) brought our tastebuds back to Chinese fare. Merrylin is a convenient lunch spot, but if you\xE2\x80\x99re looking for something more palatable, venture out for dinner. \xE2\x80\x93E.C"