Coke Machine Bar Flask Now Has Sandwiches | The Press

Posted 2021-04-12 ShanghaiWOWeng

Shanghai's most talked about speakeasy bar Flask now has bodacious, mind-blowing, "I want one more, please" sandwiches at its entrance space – The Press, now open from lunch till midnight.

Flask is a sleek bar of which the entrance is hidden behind a retro Coca-Cola vending machine leading to the fine lounge space where they win your heart with sexy cocktails and a wide selection of bourbons. For months and months since their opening, talk about having sandwiches at their entrance space was floating around as mere whispers and questions about what the space will be used for, if at all.

The wait is over, and it was well worth it.

Sandwiches at The Press are impressive with more than 10 savory grilled sandwiches and three sweet ones to choose from. Just sandwiches for now, except for the pickles on the side when you order a savory sandwich,so don't be expecting crisps yet, but maybe in the future.

The sandwiches are reasonably priced if you look at the ingredients used - gouda, pine nuts, avocado, jalapeno, Italian prosciutto, Spanish chorizo, etc. Priced at RMB 45-80 with the basic of all grilled sandwiches being the American Classic (RMB 45), and the most indulgent French Butter (RMB 80) of pan seared foie gras with caramelized mango, sans cheese.

The Press is in soft opening, testing the water since last week. We managed to try 5 sandwiches and the verdict is we will be back to try all the quirkily named sandwiches.

The favorite out of the five was the Nacho Cheese (RMB 65), freshly sliced avocado, aged cheddar, boiled sliced egg, jalapeno, mayonnaise, Sriracha hot sauce on white toast – essentially all the toppings you'd put on nachos but packaged in a sandwich. All the sandwiches have a buttery crunch,and this one also has a spicy kick from the jalapenos and Sriracha.

Vegetarians won't go hungry either as they have a large selection of savory sandwiches to choose from. Einstein's Gravity (RMB 50) has caramelized onion, freshly sliced green apple, aged cheddar on white toast. The combination of ingredients gives it a sweet flavor, with a light sour crunch from the green apple.

Another veggie sandwich is the Greek Princess (RMB 50) sautéed garlic spinach, roasted pine nuts, aged cheddar, and feta on sourdough. This one has a slightly gooey consistency from the oil and cheese sautéed spinach, light flavor and a burst of pungent garlic when you bite down on the minced bits.

Have you ever awoken to the craving of McD's breakfast sandwiches? Well, The Press has a sexier version of it via Wake Up Call (RMB 65) with Spanish chorizo, fried egg, aged cheddar, spicy tomato chutney, Srirachahot sauce on white Bap that is so reminiscent of a breakfast sandwich that you'll sink into memorable bliss. All that's missing is your hangover, thankfully.

As for sweet sandwiches, there are three on the menu for now, with Monkey Business (RMB 50) using the bar's well supplied bourbon to have bourbon maple glazed banana, peanut butter, grape jelly on white toast. It's like the special treat mom would make to send you on the way to school.

The Press doesn't have a fixed closing hour yet, closing around midnight, depending on how late the bar goes. To avoid disappointment to fuel your late night craving, best to head there before midnight or call the number below to check if they're still open.

If you're looking for yet another good sandwich place in your neighborhood, it's just around the corner from Jiashan Market, The Loft and one street away from Yongkang Lu.

The Press

Address: 432 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: 11:00-past midnight

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