Shanghai Terrace
| Address: | 108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA |
| Phone: | +1 312-573-6744 |
| Site: | chicago.peninsula.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Steve Alcorn
The combination of restful setting, superb food and faultless service make this Chicago’s best Chinese restaurant, and one of its top restaurants overall. It’s particularly delightful when it’s warm enough to eat on the terrace, a surprisingly serene environment considering it’s just a half dozen or so floors above Michigan Avenue. We put ourselves in our waiter’s hands, and he assembled a delightful multi-course meal for us. We began with an assortment of six pieces of dim sum, individually plated for each of us. This item is not listed on the menu (nor is any form of dim sum sampler) so it is worth asking about. Although I am not a huge dim sum fan, this was clearly the best I have ever had; each was light and flavorful, and even the crab rangoon managed to be delicate and appealing. Next we shared a split serving of hot and sour soup, also the best I’ve had, with less vinegar and more broth flavor. Plenty of tender lobster chunks made it special. Peking duck is available in a full or half portion, and the half is perfect for sharing as an appetizer. It’s served with the traditional cucumber, scallions, pancakes and sauces, but the duck was so perfect we ate most of it by itself. Crispy skin and no layer of fat at all made it among the best duck dishes I’ve had. Next time I might try the five spice duck to compare it. For entrees we shared scallops in black truffle sauce, and a spicy shrimp dish. Both were good, and were different from anything else we’d had, but I felt the preceding courses were better. Perhaps the highlight of the meal was an amazing red rice dish that I didn’t see on the menu. It was vegetarian, and included various nuts, broccoli and other tidbits, and had a rich, mouth-filling flavor that was remarkable. I would definitely ask for this again. Finally we finished with a fruit and sorbet plate. Our waiter added a bit of coconut sorbet, which turned out to be the highlight. A well-conceived wine list offers many selections designed to accompany the food, including a small half bottle section. Wine prices are erratic, with some barely above retail, and others sky high, so careful browsing is required, but will be rewarded. This was a great meal, and I’m sure we will return often to this surprising oasis in the midst of the city.
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Lu Yao
Im not quite sure why this place is called Shanghai Terrace since most of the food isnt Shanghai style but rather Cantonese... But it is very yummy, just not for the price (which brought down the rating from 4 stars to 3). If you are there for dim sum and are Asian or have been to Chinatown before, the items are severely overpriced for what they are (but do try the interesting foie gras and duck dumplings!). As a result, you would be disappointed so only go if you want exquisitely presented Chinese food at over the top prices. Ambience: Definitely romantic with the oriental decorations and dimmed lighting. Also, you should dress business casual unless you want to stand out in a tshirt or shorts. Service: most of the waiters are from China or Hong Kong and are kind, but our particular waitress seemed to have some issues understanding what we were asking for. They also didnt come to our table very often, and we literally had to wave to grab their attention (and this was a Thursday night). Food: the cocktails are superb (I highly recommend Ning Sling). The dim sum is alright, with Shanghai style soup dumplings that have a ton of flavor it a lack of soup. For entrees, I would highly recommend the crispy duck even though its pricey (compared to the same duck youd get in Chinatown). For dessert, we had mooncakes since it was the Mid Autumn festival - these were some of the best ones Ive ever had! The fluffy and light pastries were stuffed with a rich, egg custard. Mmm mmm mmm!
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Ricardo Renzetti
My wife, son and I had a wonderful dinner at this restaurant. Although there is a nice seating area outside, we preferred to stay inside as it was a very warm summer night. The ambient is very nice. Prices are not low. This restaurant is in The Peninsula Hotel. I had the Green Leaves Shrimp Dumpling (4 dumplings - USD 13) and the Steamed Pork Dumpling Shanghai Style (also 4 dumplings - USD 13), my son had the Kung Pao Chicken (peanuts, garlic, bell peppers, chili peppers - very spicy and he liked it a lot - USD 28) and my wife had the Mango Chicken (bell pepper, rose wine, lychee sauce - also spicy, but milder than the Kung Pao Chicken - she also liked it - USD 28). Green tea for 2 was USD 10 and an Apple Juice was USD 8. Altogether plus tip came to a total of USD USD 131.50.
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Emily Z
Beautiful interior, but we were just there for drinks on the terrace, the crowd was still pretty fancy. Only a few specialty drinks offered which was a bit of a disappointment but we did love the complementary cheese crisp, spicy nuts and wasabi peas that were even refilled. Service was great. Patio seats at least 100 I would say with some great views of Michigan Ave and the John Hancock. Definitely a great spot to grab a drink and some city views where other that the occasional siren you feel miles above the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue below!
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Alex A
The Peninsula Hotel in general and the Shanghai Terrace in specific offer excellence at a high price. Everything about the place is excellent/outstanding. The food is some of the best Asian in the US. Service is spot on; fast knowledgeable and polite. Decor makes you feel like you are in Shanghai. In good weather, I particularly enjoy the outdoor dining. Highly recommended for those who want the best and are willing to pay the premium price.
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Ian Pannell
Disappointing Most of the dim sum we had this lunchtime were good but not the best. The Peking Duck without crispy (or separated) skin, General Tso chicken with a congealed sauce, disappearing staff. The waiter asked how the chicken was (as we had barely touched it), I said not good. He disappeared and came back with the bill - no apology or adjustment. For an establishment of this calibre this was a way below par performance.
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Angie Oh
From the moment I walk into the restaurant I feel like ive been transported into another era. The service and the food is just outstanding. I dont even have anything to compare it with. I feel like the whole experience is on another level. Everyone is so genuine and the food is AMAZING. I especially love the terrace in the summer time!
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Myron Gutmann
excellent food in a beautiful setting. when time came to pay our bill the staff was unable to find it or allow us to leave. it turns out that they gave our bill to another couple and then couldnt figure out how to allow us to pay. after a very pleasant dinner they made us wait half an hour just to be told to wait a while longer to pay.
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Maite Martínez
Great place! If you go during summer you have to sit in the terrace, lovely views. The dim sums are great, love the vegetables and lobster. The duck and wagyu rice is super b! For dessert you have to order the coconut key lime pie with a great cup of green tea.
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Nicholas Shelley
One of the best chinese places Ive been too in a while. Would definitely recommend the peaking duck. Service is kind and quick and a nice outdoor courtyard with a view of the city.
