#189- Raffe, BT & Dino: To Live and Die in Shanghai pt.2

Raffe is the owner of Cantina Agave,  the very first Mexican restaurant in Shanghai.  Today he is joined by some old friends, BT and Dino on the podcast, as we celebrate Cantina’s 18th anniversary and the launch of his new restaurant, Vice.  We talk about why he’s stayed in Shanghai and discuss the constant pressure to keep up with this unique city, the challenges of running F&B amid unpredictable rules and high turnover, and how the city shifted from “wild east” days to stricter, safer, more equal enforcement.  We compare Shanghai’s convenience and safety with rising costs, crime, and lenient enforcement in the U.S., especially LA, and talk about perspective, media-driven fear, and cultural adaptation. We talk about a renaissance in Shanghai’s dining scene, social media’s impact, and Cantina’s clientele flipping to 70% local Chinese. We also end the episode with a blindfolded taco taste test that doesn’t go as planned. ____________________ 下载节目文字版: Episode Transcripts ____________________ If you enjoy this show don't forget to leave a rating and subscribe! 小红书: THD The Honest Drink Follow Us On IG: @thehonestdrink_ Join Us On WeChat: THD_Official Email: thehonestdrink@gmail.com Find us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 小宇宙, 网易云音乐, 喜马拉雅, 小红书, YouTube, Bilibili or anywhere you get your podcasts.