I wasn't very sure about Whampoa Club because most reviews online say it is overrated and overpriced.
But when I asked the hotel concierge to recommend good restaurants that locals go to, he gave me one answer only - Whampoa Club.
The restaurant is a modern art deco take on 1930's Shanghai. It's got leather chairs (rocking chair even!), ceiling-to-floor chandelier, red and gold lacquer, and colored glass panels to marry old and new.
Well, THE CONCIERGE LIED TO ME!!!!!!
At 12 noon on a Saturday, the restaurant was deserted! There were no locals in sight except for the restaurant staff.
Still we ordered up a storm because our mamas always tell us the first meal of the day is very important.
The food turned out to be good. I found nothing to complain about (and I LOVE to complain!), but nothing that wowed me either.
And yes, I believe you can get the same or better dishes elsewhere for a fraction of the price.
Osmanthus Lotus Root with Glutinous Rice - my favorite because I love lotus root,
and because it was sweet. Everybody else was all snobby about it, which was good
because I got to eat more. Lol!
Chilled Crystal Pork Jelly
Old Fashioned Shanghainese Smoked Fish
Rainbow Jellyfish Salad
Foie Gras with Red Date and Glutinous Rice
Crispy Eel
Tuna Fillet with Arugula Salad - I doubted this one but it was surprisingly good
Wonton and Chicken Soup - we knew there was bird flu but there's also nothing like warm
chicken soup in the morning. And this one was really tasty. Worth dying for! (Joke!)
Braised Lion Head Meatball
Crab with Rice Cakes
Bean Curd Skin
Sauteed River Shrimps
Steamed Shad Fish - tender and delicious but it had so many bones
it took forever to eat
Deep Fried Shad Fish Scales
Ba Bao Noodles
Curry Pork Puff and Egg Yolk Puff
Hairy Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao
Overall it was a good meal, but I probably won't be back.
Aside from the service which was very spotty, I have two other complaints.
1. The Salted Pork Fried Rice was dry
2. They gave us fruit platter for dessert. UGH!!!!!!!!!
Whampoa Club: 5/F, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu, Shanghai. Tel: +86 21 6321 3737
