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jzzzzzzz
SuperStar
Joined: July 07, 2006
Posts: 1390
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Mar 27, 2008 - 11:36 AM |
 
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I think the OP has picked a list of mostly average restaurants and slated them. If Blue Frog is the best he has found in two years here he's going seriously wrong. Anyway, i'll let him off because it's a funny thread!
caffy, are you seriously defending the food in Zapata's? |
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swisscook
Reacher
Joined: Aug 27, 2007
Posts: 325
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Mar 27, 2008 - 11:44 AM |
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Was at Good times next to Masala Art in Dagu Lu. Weird restaurant. Nice set up but weird Menu. Very english ( fish and chips are ok ) with south Indian items on the menu. Dosa's where sauggy. Shorba was crap and the other items we had where flaverless, boring copies of south indian food. They should just stick to Masala Art instead. |
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MrPuxi
Talker
Joined: Jan 30, 2008
Posts: 105
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 11:51 AM |
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eat what you want!
he only gave HIS CHOICE of restaurants, i.e. where HE LIKES TO EAT!! a matter of taste is hardly to challenge, let alone to critizise. i live in china for 6 yeasr and stricly AVOID chinese food in my private life. i enjoy sufficient invitations by my clients, so i honestly do not need that stuff in my private life. because, sorry to say, IT OFTEN IS CRAP!!! unless of course you enjoy oil-drenched veggies or chewing on some lardy pork of questionable quality with a pound of MSG for seasoning.
please do distinguish here, i am not talking about al the funky stuff, i had my share of this in my time here and pretty much ate everything there is. you probably cannot name an animal that did not show up on my chop sticks til now, insects included of course...
so, eat what you want.
btw, anybody up for some fried rice with bees?? that is tasty... |
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caffy
Seeker
Joined: Oct 04, 2006
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 11:59 AM |
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definitely woudn't defend Zapata's, probably the most over-priced restaurant, but worst in Asia? That title would go to Taco Poopoo, and then a whole bunch more I know throughout Asia. Zapata's isn't the worst by a long shot......just ridiculously over-priced. |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18044
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Mar 27, 2008 - 12:11 PM |
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Zapatas and food in the same sentence is just plain wrong. the one time i went for food was horrible...never again. bad enough the place still stunk like the party the night before. :S |
_________________
Thoughts & updates about Shanghai On my Blog for more details:Random Thoughts about Living in Shanghai...and more |
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swisscook
Reacher
Joined: Aug 27, 2007
Posts: 325
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 12:29 PM |
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They serve Food at Zapatas ? That's just wrong... ah well, aparantly they have a new Chef so maybe things will get better. But why would you go eat there in the first place ? Never eat where you drink... no matter how good the place is, once you're sober the magic is gone |
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boredengineer
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 12:37 PM |
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I like to eat at strip joints. |
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CIA
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 890
Location: Least Expect
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:31 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: Zimbu's Review of Expat-Style Restaurants in Shanghai |
| zimbu wrote: |
Steak & Eggs: Was really looking forward to this one...then I went there. El Suckola. Why do owners like this insist on trying to do 85 menu items badly instead of 20 correctly?
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: You think their coffee drinks suck? Try their food. Hoover Suckmaster 5000. Not to mention the near childish nature of the bumbling service staff. Oh, they have wireless, so that's a plus.
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CLASSIC. I rolled on floor for 10 minutes.  |
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| Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected. |
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CIA
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 890
Location: Least Expect
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:33 PM |
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| yu888 wrote: |
interesting.
btw, Valley Gourmet closed ages ago
And Moon River had several mgmnt and govt issues recently that seemed to have finally cleared up. New manager at both Jing An and Pudong, closed an outlet in West Shanghai to concentrate on what they do well and trimmed the bad staff. Went by last week and seems "back to normal". Woudl recommend checking it out again. |
If by gov't issues you mean 'kickbacks', 'blackmail' and 'bribery'.  |
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| Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected. |
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CIA
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 890
Location: Least Expect
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:36 PM |
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| zimbu wrote: |
| Nice Chinese restaurants? In my view, Chinese food is based on 5000 years of being dirt poor. Hence the shear delight of knawing on bones and sinew and tendons and big chunks of lardy fat...all of which should best be tossed in the garbage. For poor people in earlier times, this was a great feeling as it meant you could literally live for another week or so. For me, it is just gross. |
SPOT ON, I couldn't have said it any better myself. |
_________________
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| Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected. |
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CIA
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 890
Location: Least Expect
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:42 PM |
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| Swiss-James wrote: |
| To the OP- how about Gourmet Cafe- good burgers, Ginger- for salads and light food (summer coming up, you going to eat steaks in 35 degree weather?), Togo on Taikang Lu (I haven't been, but trust that reviewer's opinion, or anything from this list |
Ever heard of a summer BBQ ? You think you run a charcoal or gas fired grill in the winter ? NOTHING beats a good medium rare steak and a cold beer on a nice summer night. |
_________________
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| Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected. |
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jzzzzzzz
SuperStar
Joined: July 07, 2006
Posts: 1390
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:43 PM |
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How about a night where you sweat your balls off standing outside even at 3am? |
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januza
Raver
Joined: Jan 24, 2007
Posts: 409
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:46 PM |
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For a good Italian lunch go to OTTO.. The anti pasti buffet is always good and very fresh. Pizza & fish is really good there too and you also get a coffee for about 80RMB which is anti pastu buffet a pizza or fish and coffee.. The place is clean, nice and service is really good.
Had chicken wings at Hooters the other day and I have to say that I was very impressed. Not just the flat chested girls there  but the service was actually good too.
at last the sandwiches at NYC Deli is to die for! |
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CIA
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 890
Location: Least Expect
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:54 PM |
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| mat wrote: |
Fish and Chips.
Beaver used to be SENphuckingSATIONAL. Now they are just VERY good. kakadu will do a good job for sure, Sashas is pretty damn fair also. O'Malleys hit or miss. Every time i go there it is different. |
Best Fish n Chips in the city is at Flying Fox in Jin Qiao, hands down.
Huge portions, light beer batter, deep fried just right, good sauces, good fries. |
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| Every evening I died, and every evening I was born again, resurrected. |
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Gazza
Raver
Joined: Jan 10, 2008
Posts: 398
Location: The Tokyo Slums
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 01:54 PM |
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The service at Hooters is fantastic... a restaurant where the waiters actually smile and try and make small talk.
The food... dismal. |
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Selphnir
Barker
Joined: July 12, 2006
Posts: 147
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 04:52 PM |
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| CIA wrote: |
| Swiss-James wrote: |
| To the OP- how about Gourmet Cafe- good burgers, Ginger- for salads and light food (summer coming up, you going to eat steaks in 35 degree weather?), Togo on Taikang Lu (I haven't been, but trust that reviewer's opinion, or anything from this list |
Ever heard of a summer BBQ ? You think you run a charcoal or gas fired grill in the winter ? NOTHING beats a good medium rare steak and a cold beer on a nice summer night. |
Been there, done that and in colder environments than SH gets, I'm sure I'm not the only one. Nothing like a winter BBQ to bring to mind thoughts of summer. |
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ShanghaiAdventure
Barker
Joined: May 11, 2007
Posts: 161
Location: Jing'an
Status: Offline
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Mar 27, 2008 - 06:05 PM |
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| Gazza wrote: |
The service at Hooters is fantastic... a restaurant where the waiters actually smile and try and make small talk.
The food... dismal. |
Might have been the best service I have ever had, beat out the Bund hands down......now the food on the other hand. How could mess up chicken wings? |
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Buzzd
PopStar
Joined: Jan 30, 2008
Posts: 1092
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 12:43 PM |
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| still_here wrote: |
| oh, and it was for the ~85 kuai buffet |
What!? 85 kuai and the all you can eat food isn't fresh, and the all you can drink beer isn't cold! I am aghast! |
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Buzzd
PopStar
Joined: Jan 30, 2008
Posts: 1092
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 12:57 PM |
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zimbu:
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The Texans in this forum seem to think it is authentic
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If Texan's ever had good taste and/or credibility, it was surely lost at the Alamo.
zimbu:
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I have never heard of half of those places. Do you live in Pudong or on Mars or what?
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Swiis James:
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That's because you're too busy sitting in the Big Bamboo complaining about the nacho's!
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You funny for a Swiss! |
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redtab1
Reacher
Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 213
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 02:33 PM |
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I think half the problem is that the list of eating places first listed here are pretty ordinary - just like Pizza Hut, California Pizza Kitchen or Burger King are ordinary any where else in the world. I have lunch at Malones now and then like Element Fresh but I never go there expecting great service or amazing food - it is totally fine given what you pay. They are places for a quick bite to eat - not a dining experience. Shanghai is awash with fantastic restaurants with staff who are friendly and helpful. The service is not as polished as in places like Australia but to rubbish the food and places to eat???? And how can you bag Chinese food when there are so many different types? I dislike Shanghai cuisine but cantonese is good and Yunnan cuisine also good (more like Thai). For some great meals in great surrounds try Lost Heaven, Messa or The Chinois Story (many more I could list). They may cost more than $10USD but none are really expensive unless you hit the wine list. People should stop expecting the world for $5 |
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rxg
Raver
Joined: Sep 06, 2005
Posts: 457
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 03:01 PM |
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I wanted a dinning experience so about 2 months ago I went to Jade 36. (Shangri-La Pudong). Afterward, I wanted to kick the chef in the balls, smack the french restuanrant manager, and spit of the waiters. I didn't of course.
Left rest 400 USD poorer.
Will never go back again.
Mypointis in Shanghai - You cannot get good western food no mater how mucg you pay for it.
All the chefs who come to China were because they can't make it at their own home town. So what we have in China are second rate chefs. |
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redtab1
Reacher
Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 213
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 03:17 PM |
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Well each to there own but not sure how you can say you cant get good western food in Shanghai. I think Jade 36 is overpriced but there is nothing wrong with the food at M on the Bund, Laris, T8, Messa and a string of other places. Also, if the chefs here are only here because they could not make it in their home town, what does that make every other expat like us?? Why should a chef be any different from any other career? Many people are here because they want great experience and want to cut there teeth in one of the hardest places to do business. Many companies send their best people here because it is tough. Ever think that things might be tough for a chef at a top restaurant because it is hard to get fresh ingredients or certain types of ingredients?? |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6297
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Mar 28, 2008 - 03:19 PM |
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rxg
hmmm....sort of agree.
Pleasant Experiences (Defined as pretty good service, pretty good food, not too over priced)
Otto
Casanova
Le Boucheron
Moon's Steak House
T8 (75% good....had a bad experience lately. might revise category)
Sasha
Maneo
Las Tapas
You've Got to be Kidding! (WAY overpriced for the level of service and food quality)
Va Bene
Laris
Jean George
Lawry's
Lanna Thai
It's Friday after work...need some beer and food (Self explanatory)
Spot (Mark the Chef left.....will see what happens.)
Thai House (always excellent for what you pay)
Blue Frog
Would any of these survive "as is" anywhere outside China?
Doubtful.
But here we are.... |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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boredengineer
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 28, 2008 - 03:24 PM |
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| redtab1 wrote: |
| I think half the problem is that the list of eating places first listed here are pretty ordinary - just like Pizza Hut, California Pizza Kitchen or Burger King are ordinary any where else in the world. I have lunch at Malones now and then like Element Fresh but I never go there expecting great service or amazing food - it is totally fine given what you pay. They are places for a quick bite to eat - not a dining experience. Shanghai is awash with fantastic restaurants with staff who are friendly and helpful. The service is not as polished as in places like Australia but to rubbish the food and places to eat???? And how can you bag Chinese food when there are so many different types? I dislike Shanghai cuisine but cantonese is good and Yunnan cuisine also good (more like Thai). For some great meals in great surrounds try Lost Heaven, Messa or The Chinois Story (many more I could list). They may cost more than $10USD but none are really expensive unless you hit the wine list. People should stop expecting the world for $5 |
I honestly think you are way off here. You can always convert everything back to USD and say its still pretty cheap, but honestly its not THAT cheap. ANd they are charging a premium, close to US prices, and you say you shouldn't expect much at all? |
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Gazza
Raver
Joined: Jan 10, 2008
Posts: 398
Location: The Tokyo Slums
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 28, 2008 - 03:28 PM |
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| rxg wrote: |
| All the chefs who come to China were because they can't make it at their own home town. So what we have in China are second rate chefs. |
This is a  stupid ignorant generalization if I've ever seen one. Shanghai has some very good Western Chefs. I know quite a few of them and they didn't come here for your reasons. Quite a few of them came here for the same reasons alot of people came here... money or a change of scenery. I have a friend who came here because a particular hotel offered him good money to run their Food and Beverage. After being here for a couple of years he realized the huge potential for opening up his own place, and that's what he did.
Your analogy is like saying Chinese chefs who go to Canada or the US go there because they can't make it in China... no... they go there because there is more opportunity for them in the West. |
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