Saturday, June 4, 2016

A Gem in Chinatown: Shanghai Cuisine

Evening strikes on a Sunday in Chinatown. Nestled along Bayard Street is a quaint, subdued restaurant that is Shanghai Cuisine. It isn’t as crowded, as my girlfriend and I are able to be seated without any wait. What’s nice about this restaurant is the fact that they have a full bar, regular seating, as well as outdoor seating—perfect for the summer when you want to catch in the pleasant weather. We are seated right near the outdoor seating, as a mild breeze comes our way. Crack open a beer and that’s even better.
The walls are made of brick. The lighting is dimmed. On every table, there are candles and little flowers, exuding a somewhat romantic vibe for a perfect date. Easygoing acoustic music is lightly playing from the ceiling speakers. There is the undifferentiated chatter and clattering of cutlery and kitchenware coming from the kitchen. Be aware that this place is cash only. Fortunately, there is an ATM by the entrance, in case you’re short of cash.
We order the Xiao Long Bao for the appetizer, which is $5.75. There are six of them, and each are soft, fresh, and juicy. We relish this with satisfaction. Be sure to order this and get the most out of your Shanghai eats. 
For the main course, we both order the shredded pork with garlic sauce, which is $13.95. Along with the lo mein noodles are shredded bamboo, scallions, and a tinge of added spice. With a more than enough portion, I was able to assuage my hunger completely from this one dish. There is also the option to add a bowl of white rice for $1.50. This is a recommended option for hungry eaters.
Yet of course these are not only the recommended dishes. Shanghai Cuisine has just about anything, from Shanghai-style dim sum and dishes to mouth-watering seafood options such as the seasonal soft shell crab with pepper and the braised yellow croaker or tilapia. The service is relatively prompt. Dishes come in order. If you’re looking for a more settled eatery in Chinatown, devoid of all the hustle and bustle, this place hits the spot. Swing by and try this higher-end restaurant in the heart of Chinatown!