I will start with this so you can skip the review unless you are into details, but Shanghai Terrace and Cindy's Rooftop are our favorite restaurants during our whole Chicago trip (note I said restaurants, I am skipping the snacks / sweets places). The ambience here is nice. It is kid-friendly but at least they are very well mannered (or their parents taught them very well how to behave in public space). The service is the best! The food is very good. We got the vegetables (we literally have been eating seafood or meat non-stop at that point), shredded beef, and fried rice. We got the larger portion of the fried rice and that is enough for us two. The veggies are prepared/trimmed so well so only the best part was used for the dish. Even the garlic was so good. I have to stop my spouse from eating it in case of gas/acid reflux at night (part of growing old). I love the chive and my husband love the beef, which is like perfect. I was going to get the peking duck or sweet and sour pork but hubby stopped me as we have been over-ordering a lot during the trip. The fried rice is perfect and not too oily. The raspberry and mango gelato was delicious and highly recommend for anyone who loves gelato! I highly recommend anyone to come here when visiting Chicago. read more

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An overall lovely experience at Shanghai terrace. The service is what really stood out. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu/food and drink pairings that would go well with our dishes. He was a pleasure. The space is intimate. There is no bar, so don't show up early for your reservation and expect to sit at one like we did (not a big deal). Food was excellent. My partner got the shredded duck and I got the beef. We had some dim sum as well. Probably the best crab rangoon I've ever had. All said, it's overpriced. But, it's a nice restaurant in a nice hotel and most things are these days. read more

Located on lobby level, I celebrated Chinese New Year in the elegant Lobby with Shanghai Terrace buffet food and lion decorations. The presentation was excellent. The food looked delicious. The Peking duck and halibut fish were amazing. Unfortunately the main dishes were a bit bland. The appetizers hit the mark on deliciousness. The presentation of the desserts were imaginative and looked tasty. The two dragon dancers paraded through the lobby and dining area with very festive entertaining. Customer service was first rate and polite. read more

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Wow, what a romantic scene. Dimly lit and intimate. Shrimp mmmmm not too sweet. Creamy and the bite of cucumber gives it a refreshing bite. Good balance to all the other flavors jumbo shrimp Emerald Pools drink was good but to me, lacked a little flavor. I know it's probably trying to be refreshing but it just felt like it was missing something. Wonton soup's broth was delicious and I asked for something spicy to really kick it up a notch, the wontons inside were tender. Oh that duck tho!!! DEFINITELY the main attraction for a reason. Oh so flavorful. Tender and crispy. I am not a duck girlie, so when I find something I like, I am ready to throw all my money at it. Really loved the beef too with the vegetables. Such a great bite to the veggies, it was Chinese broccoli, kale, and spinach sautéed. Such good natural flavor , the beef was really tender. The veggies hold up against the sauciness of the meat. The service was good too. It was a bit crowded and I never felt ignored. Def recommend. read more

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Shanghai Terrace has become our go-to restaurant in the summer. We always enjoy its delectable food, pleasant ambience, and delightful service. We love to dine in the gorgeous terrace, which is beautifully decorated. They have heaters when the weather is cool, and provide nice red shawl for ladies upon request. There was once we had to dine in their indoor dining room because of the rain. It was equally pleasant as the room is tastefully decorated as a Shanghai tea house in the 1920s. We are always very happy to have Ju, a lovely server who is always so nice, pleasant, attentive, and professional, offering us friendly and impeccable service. Actually, all the staff that we have encountered are very courteous and professional. Yushi used to be the friendly manger of Shanghai Terrace. Now he has transferred to The Lobby, and only helps out when Shanghai Terrace is too busy. The new manager Lynn is very friendly too. Now onto the food. The Peking Duck with a nice crispy skin is a must have. Chilean Sea Bass with traditional Szechwan Sauce is also a favorite dish of ours. The fish is always fresh and cooked to perfection, the skin has a nice crunch, and the sauce is delicious. Chinese Style Beef Tenderloin is very tender and delicious. Their dim sum is very good too. In recent years, our daughter always celebrate her birthday at Shanghai Terrace. They always give delicious birthday dessert treat to the birthday girl. They even give my wife and me complimentary desserts. The most recent time, we got an order of Mango Pudding, and Almond Cranberry Desserts which were excellent. read more

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I stayed at the hotel and came here. Heard great things. Fell short of my expectations with the food. The ambiance was nice. Plenty of other amazing places in this city. read more

My boss and his significant other were staying here so we tagged along and enjoyed a tasty meal with them one evening! We tried every dessert on the menu and while I can't remember the name of any of them - they were all delicious haha - you really can't go wrong if you choose something that your palate will enjoy. I will say the cookie platter was fun and I liked the coffee tasting one the best. There's also another dessert with some sort of strawberry gelatin that I loved. One of my coworkers and I split the Shanghai Terrace Three Treasures Fried Rice along with the Spicy Crispy Beef and omg YUM, I highly recommend. I also enjoyed the lychee martini I had. Great ambiance, amazing service and food - if you're in the mood for some quality and delicious Chinese food, I'd definitely recommend trying them out. read more

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After a visit to the spa at the Peninsula Hotel, I booked dinner at Shanghai Terrace. The food was so good, a nice fusion of styles. The scallops were cooked so perfectly, I know I will think about that entree for a while. The service was also top notch. read more

Shanghai Terrace - Wok Fried Scallop in Black Truffle Sauce - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really enjoyed dining here - I was in Chicago for a work trip and decided to dine here since I wanted a warm comforting meal. Dumplings are my comfort food and the dumplings here did not disappoint! Service is quick and my server was so sweet. She had some great recommendations. Their ambiance is quite intriguing with a lot of antiques as carved walls. On the pricier side but recommend! read more

Shanghai Terrace - Spring rolls - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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fabulous staff. Ambiance beautiful. Food not hot came out like warm from dumplings to main course. Sauce got congealed! No white rice comes with . Never again! read more

Shanghai Terrace - Chilean sea bass not hot at all. - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a 7:30pm dinner reservation for 2 on a Thursday evening. A bit of a journey to find the restaurant, but we love an impromptu scavenger hunt. We saw many fellow Asian diners, so it has the seal of approval! Our waiter was very friendly and outgoing, as he gave us suggestions and dish descriptions. There was another lady who helped us out, very attentive and friendly. A couple times they stopped by to ask the same questions take orders, which is fine considering the alternative is under-attentiveness. Drinks: Started with a couple drinks ($24 each): Lost in Shanghai (vodka, lychee, grapefruit, Cassis drop) and Hello Sunshine (vodka, passionfruit, basil, lime) - liked the latter better. Meal: Ordered the $88pp duck experience 3-course prix fixe, as well as the stir-fried veggies. Prix fixe included: 1) duck spring roll + duck foie gras dumpling - both tasty, but the dumpling was amazing. Foie gras in a dumpling is seriously a crime because it's so good. 2) half portion of duck - was sliced in "more skin" vs "less skin" manner. Not exactly like Beijing/Peking duck where the skin and meat a separated. However, duck itself was good, quite lean, but flavorful. 3) duck fried rice - generous portions of fried rice. We ended up taking most of this home, but ample sprinkling of duck. Desserts: Rotating assortment of desserts (always with an Asian theme). We ordered the: Strawberry pudding (??) - forgot the actual name, but was a delicate strawberry putting atop a pastry crust. Mango coconut pudding - very tasty, a chilled pudding that soon liquifies as it comes to room temp. Fantastic mango flavor. Chocolate cake - complimentary as we were celebrating a birthday. Came with a cute chocolate plaque with "生日快乐" and a candle. Enjoyed the other desserts more, but a nice touch. Finished with a couple pours of dessert wine. $300 pre-tip, but left with plenty of leftovers. Wish the duck had separate skin/meat, but overall, top-notch and upscale atmosphere for Chinese food. read more

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If you are looking for upscale Chinese dining that'll impress your out of town guests in Chicago, this is the spot for you. Tucked inside the Peninsula just inside Michigan Ave, Shanghai Terrace boasts a menu that is inclusive of a lot of Chinese banquet style classics. The Peking roast duck is the stand out dish for me here. It is done well with authenticity and taste similar to what you'd get in China. Is it pricey for what it is? Absolutely. But if you go in with expectations of paying 5 star hotel prices at a 5 star hotel restaurant with 5 star service, you won't be disappointed. read more

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We usually get our Dim Sum in San Fran, NYC or Los Angeles, but we had to try out a few places in Chicago. Shanghai Terrace was recommended so we gave it a shot. The ambiance was lovely, great views of the surrounding buildings, nice breeze and patio set up. All in all it was super solid though the selection was limited, we enjoyed what we did get. Steamed Pork Dumpling Shanghai Style, Lobster And Chicken Dumpling With Black Truffle, Spicy Beef Pot Sticker, Crab Siewmai With Fish Roe, & SteameVegetable Dumplingd Pork Dumpling Shanghai Style. All were very tasty and enjoyable. The one disappointing meal was the Wok Fried Scallop In Black Truffle Sauce-such delicious flavors with the most bland, oddly chewy (we are die hard Scallops lovers) and overall tasteless scallops. The drinks were solid and the service was good. read more

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I love love love this place! The service is top tier and the menu is amazing. Located inside the Peninsula hotel, this is a beautiful restaurant for lunch or dinner. The outside seating is gorgeous and you feel like you are out of town. The inside is also very beautiful. I love the potstickers and the fried rice. They also have amazing mocktails! One of my favorites is the virgin ning sling!! read more

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I realized just today that my prior review was from 11 years ago, in 2015. How time has passed! How ever, the food at Shanghai Terrace remains as delicious as ever and I continue to drive to Chicago, for 2 hours, just to dine here. Both the taste and the quality of ingredients used make this a delightful dining experience. If I eat at a "typical" Chinese restaurant (which I avoid doing), post meal and often, I feel discomfort due to the poor quality of (reused) oil and ingredients used. Post meal at Shanghai Terrace, the feeling is pleasant and quite wonderful. My favorites are the fried rice with wagyu beef (the beef is superb), kang pao chicken and the Sea bass. On a recent visit, I tried the kang pao shrimp but it was not good. It did not have the brown usual sauce. The shrimp version had very little sauce and it was just shrimp and peanuts and was not delicious - no delicious sauce! In my opinion, there is no high quality Asian restaurant of this caliber in IL/WI area.. Yes, I have tried Sundra and Le Colonial (which are both good but not as good). The closest is the Restaurant called Room Service in Bayview, WI. The only negative is that reservations are difficult to get. Even though I have been such a long term/loyal customers, I still cant get reservations easily here. They are open for lunch during summer and I look forward to visiting this place more often this summer. read more

Shanghai terrace is an upscale restaurant in the Pennisula hotel. It was too cold to sit on their patio, but it looks like it would be really pretty in the summer. The waiter was extremely attentive and even helped make sugggestions from the menu, since I was eating vegetarian and my friend was not, but we still wanted to share some dishes. I was really happy to see they had a lot of vegetarian options on the menu! My favorite thing we ordered was the crispy tofu with salt and pepper. They fried soft tofu, so the outside was light and crispy and the inside melted in your mouth. The dish was filled with chili, garlic, and puffed rice which I could have eaten an entire bowl of. I think this fried tofu dish is a contender for the best fried tofu in the city. We also ordered crab rangoons, the braised eggplant, the scallops, and a side of rice. I loved how tender the braised eggplant was! This is a great spot if you're looking for an upscale dinner. I want to come back in the summer to eat on their patio! read more

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Absolutely upscale dining experience with impeccable service and food. We had the wonton soup, the shrimp rolls and the Peking duck. Each better than the next. Please bear in mind that this food is expensive but really worth it if you want and I'm skill experience. I will be back. read more

One of favorite spots in Chicago, cannot go wrong with food or the services. Unlike the terrible experience with their sister restaurant previously, would definitely recommend Shanghai Terrace! But feels like they should do some upgrades in their interior! (Just my personal opinion) So I was glad that we got sat in the lobby. Scallop dish was super! And dim sum is one of the best I have ever had! read more

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This review is way over-due, I have been very busy lately, but writing a good review feels like an obligation to me. We celebrated our adult daughter's birthday for the third time at the Shanghai Terrace, it has been going so well that it has become a tradition! It was amazing that the manager Yushi and the staff took notice and remembered as well! They had said "Happy Birthday" to Daughter many times! The hospitality and impeccable service were just second to none! We love their beautiful outdoor dining area; however, it was a rainy night and we had to dine in their indoor restaurant instead. The interior was elegant and beautiful. Our table at the end of the semi-private room had added privacy. The room can be closed off as a private party room if needed. My only complaint was the straight wooden back of the chairs were not very comfortable. A thin cushion probably would be helpful. This time we still ordered our favorite dishes, namely Crab Siewmai with Fish Roe, Lobster and Chicken Dumpling with Black Truffle, Shrimp Spring Roll for dim sum appetizers, and half order of Peking Duck, Chilean Sea Bass in Traditional Szechwan Sauce, Kung Pao Chicken, Seafood Fried Rice in Abalone Sauce, and Shanghai Fried Noodle. Hubby and Daughter had ordered two glasses of Hubert Brochard white wine, while I ordered the non-alcoholic "Fre" white wine. Like last year, we did not order desserts as we had a birthday cake at home from our favorite bakery. Paula, our pleasant and friendly server, brought out a complimentary piece of birthday cake with a lit candle and chocolate plaque with the words "Happy Birthday" to our daughter. She also let each of the three of us order a dessert from their dessert menu on the house (all desserts were $15 each)! She recommended the Peninsula Mango Pudding and the Strawberry Passion Cake. Hubby and I got the mango pudding and Daughter go the strawberry passion cake. All the desserts were excellent, it was very generous of the restaurant to comp them! We had ordered a box of the Mini Egg Custard Mooncakes ($118 plus tax) to be picked up at the Shanghai Terrace. I emailed their manager Yushi about the pickup a week prior, he had such great memory and courtesy, and personally delivered the box of mooncakes to our table when we were finishing eating. We were happy that he had some time to chat with us. It turned out that Yushi came directly from the Peninsula Tokyo! He was very nice and friendly and we enjoyed talking with him. When we went downstairs to pick up our car from valet parking, since it was during the week of the national convention and many streets were closed, they had a female staff walking us to a garage close by. She went to pick up our car in the garage while we waited in the sidewalk. Like always, all levels of the Peninsula staff were very nice and polite. Each visit of the Shanghai Terrace was very enjoyable. Like I have said in my previous reviews, if Shanghai Terrace was located in the Northern suburbs, we would patronize very often for sure! (Just a note about the Peninsula mini mooncakes: they are excellent after reheating with the microwave for about 15 seconds!) read more

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Peninsula fan all the way... this restaurant really embodies the quality of these hotels. Big Pfan and why we went for a birthday lunch. Service was top-notch and they were always on top of making sure the table was cleared and ready for the next course... the ambiance is lovely and serene, so nice of a garden vibe being up in the middle of the Mag Mile. Food, for the most part, was okay, but nothing you can't get in Chinatown for 1/3 the price... Some dim sum and wontons, corn crab chowder, beef noodles, prawns, and sea bass (only exceptional entree), and 6 drinks were enough to make us hit 400ish with tax and tip for 3 people. Nice place, recommend parking at the NW lot, and walking over to Water Tower for shopping and playing tourists. Nice day to be in the city. read more

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I am very happy to know that this restaurant continues to deliver with consistency - on all aspects of a good dining out experience such as service (excellent, both at hostess stand and at the table), to menu options (pretty good selection for vegetarians), to, of course, the actual flavors of all the dishes (absolutely wonderful), to the cocktails and - last but not the least - the ambiance (stylish, elegant, upscale). I continue to love this place! read more

Chinese food with a view. Located in the terrace area of The Peninsula, they look out to the mag mile at a distance that mutes the noise level Indoor seating also available, but their furnishing feels a bit worn (dinnerware too). Food is solid. My fav part is that you can order Peking duck in half portions. Dimsum is fine - wouldn't say it's life changing. Is it the best Chines food you'll find? Nah, but there's not much to choose from in River North. crab siewmai with fish roe $19 lobster and chicken dumpling with truffle $21 peking duck (half) $60* dragon cucumber salad ?? 쇼핑하다 중식이 먹고싶은때 가는곳? 페닌슐라 호텔 에 위치해서 그런지 서비스 하나는 최고다. 날씨 좋을때 가면 테라스석에 앉아 노닥거리기 좋음. 맛은 낫배드. 하프 사이즈의 베이징덕을 먹을수있다는게 장점이다. 둘이 나눠 먹기 딱 적당한 포션. 딤섬은 음... 솔직히 더 낮은 가격대에 더 맛있는 곳이 많겠지만 주변엔 없으니까 read more

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This was my first time here and it was lovely! The terrace is beautiful and the staff is great! Although we had a 5pm reservation they wanted to seat our party back in the corner- we asked to move since there was no one there when we arrived. They were very accommodating of allergies. The drinks were good, the lost in Shanghai had a sweet but subtle taste while our bottle of white was nice! The cucumber salad was great- nice little pickling but excellent spice to it. The crab wontons perfectly crispy and full of the crab cream cheese. The kung pao chicken was okay in my opinion- I felt like some of the chicken was dry though it had sauce on it. The seafood fried rice was not what we were expecting, it was a bowl of rice with plenty of seafood but it was covered with a soupy broth- it was still tasty! The Shanghai fried noodles were delicious too- full of meat. Unfortunately we weren't able to stick around for dessert because of our activities to follow but I would've loved to try any of the desserts. Overall, lovely restaurant and I would definitely come back. read more

What a delicacy of an experience. Went with a local friend. The food here is some of the best, and the service is all-around friendly professionals working as a true team. We asked the chef to send different foods and to include Duck (perfect duck). We need to come back when the weather permits terrace dining. Simply delightful! read more

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Best Chinese food, I expensive but well worth it. Service is outstanding. Ambiance is very nice. Will be going back.

Amazing! Service was excellent, waitress was attentive and friendly. Food was fantastic! Black dumpling 5/5! They offered an array of Chinese cuisine that was presented with authenticity. Each dish left you wanting more of that mouth watering burst of flavor! Obvius they used high quality ingredients to bring the best overall experience. Roof top is amazing, for drinks! Highly recommend this restaurant in the heart of Chicago! read more

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Earlier this year we visited Shanghai Terrace (see previous review). While the food was overall enjoyable we experienced a lapse in service that was not in keeping with the restaurant's image, prices, or goals. I am happy to report that upon a second visit I can now highly recommend it to all. We celebrated our wedding anniversary and the food surpassed our previous visit (which was already excellent). The Peking Duck remains a highlight and perhaps the best in the city. We also had Shanghai Terrace Three Treasures Fried Rice, Crab Siewmai and Lobster and Chicken Dumpling with Black Truffle. Each were excellent with the Crab Siewmai being the stand out. However our previous concerns were not about the food but rather the service, on our most recent visit the service was outstanding. Warm, authentic, natural and attentive. On our prior visit there was a large group in the side room and that group commanded much of the staffs attention, perhaps to our detriment. On this trip however the staff were plentiful, professional and kind. I cannot overstate what a difference this made to the experience. From the hostess who first greeted us to the manger who checked in on us and the serving staff (especially Michelle), they all did a great job in a friendly, professional but never stuffy style. Great food AND great service together make for a winning experience. This is still an expensive hotel and a comparatively expensive restaurant but if you are considering it I encourage you to give it a try. We will be back again for sure and I hope on a more regular basis as well. read more

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Let me start off with it was very hard to get a reservation here but it is well worth the effort. The restaurant is very intimate and cozy. The service was great and the food came out pretty quick. I preferred the appetizers to the entrees. The golden shrimp were decent but should be skipped. The shrimp hot and sour soup is a great order. The price is high but you get a lot of quality. The beef potstickers were amazing. They were soft in the middle with crispy edges. The lobster and chicken dumpling was drool-worthy. The dinner entrees portions were generous. The kung poa chicken is good, but had a slight sour taste. The Chinese style beef tenderloin was cooked to perfection. It was tasty but was missing some oomf. I did not like the happy red rice. It was a little hard and wasn't tasty. The spicy sweet chili prawn had a good taste but the breading was too hard. read more

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Quick disclaimer for this review: I want to make it clear that this place is a pretty big anomaly when it comes to Chinese dining in the city. The place is definitely on the VERY expensive side (my Chinese ancestors would be rolling in their graves if they knew how much the prices were here). But really, how many Chinese restaurants in America are housed in a 5-Star hotel (The Peninsula) in the downtown part of the city with a lovely outdoor terrace? Chances are pretty slim. With that out of the way, I was actually pleasantly surprised with my experience here. To get in you do basically walk through the Peninsula and you can definitely *feel* the 5-star experience. Service itself was extremely attentive and friendly as you'd expect. Food-wise we ordered: - Lost in Shanghai ($24): Pretty standard lychee-style cocktail, I quite enjoyed it! Not too strong with the spirits. - Smoky Lapsang ($24): Fun presentation for it, but felt like this was super spirit forward and couldn't really taste any tea notes - Crab siewmai with fish roe ($19): The siumai was pretty standard, but you can tell there's something more handmade / cleaner about it than the standard one you'd get at a regular dim sum spot in Chinatown - Steamed pork dumpling shanghai style ($19): This was a very standard xiaolongbao. I felt like they kind of came slightly lukewarm? But it just wasn't as piping hot as I'm used to - Lobster and chicken dumpling with black truffle ($21): This was good. Pretty unique and what I feel is a higher end version of har gow. Skin was very sticky though. - Spicy beef pot sticker ($17): This was very mediocre and definitely would pass on this. It felt pretty comparable to just some frozen dumplings you'd fry at home. - Traditional Peking Duck ($60 for half order): The duck here was actually really good and crispy. Also I actually much prefer when spots serve it with the pancake/flat wrap than with buns (which some spots in Chicago do... and that's just wrong). Was it $60 good for a half order instead of something like Hon Kee (or Sun Wah back before it moved locations)? Probably not for me, but I guess that depends on who the person is. - Chilled Mango Sago ($15): This was great. Probably the highlight dish for me actually. I love coconut and sago and also liked how it was served with little matcha cakes. If I had to come back here again I'd honestly just get this haha. There's not dancing around the fact that this place is on the pricier side. And for most people who don't have money to burn, I think there are a ton of really great Chinese spots in the city slinging some great food. However, chances are if you find yourself here you're schmoozing it up at The Peninsula, looking for a place to splurge after a day of shopping all the luxury brands on the mag mile, or just generally in the top tax bracket. And for those people, I can say this place was a pretty solid place! I've heard people describe this place as "elegant" and I can see what they mean. From the service to the outdoor space to some of the dishes, there's definitely a level care to it compared to some other Chinese spots, but you sure better not be shocked that there's an up-charge that comes with it. read more

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We've been wanting to try Shanghai Terrace for a while now based on a few friend's recommendation but only go to go recently to celebrate my wife's birthday. And let me tell you the hype is 'real', not only because the food is high quality, really good and flavorful but also because the restaurant is in a beautiful hotel and one place I did not mind waiting for our table. Just walking through the hotel lobby past their boutique and designer retail shops transports you into a state of bliss with a sense of luxury. This also is perfect for date night. Going back to the food, we had the lobster & chicken steamed dumplings with black truffle and FWIW, these aren't your typical Chinatown dumplings. I could eat 2 dozen of these by myself. We followed that with the sea Bass, the crunchy beef tenderloin and the Golden shrimp. This was all served with white rice but we also got a half serving of noodles and half of their fried rice. We appreciated tue ability to place half orders for the rice and noodles. The beef was tender and juicy, the shrimp plump and delicious and the fish melted in our mouth. Overall a great meal with prompt service. They also have outdoor seating which we didn't opt for, but maybe next summer. read more

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This is such an escape from thump thump music in restaurants and noise so loud you can't have a conversation. It's relaxing and attentive and the menu is a treasure. It's not cheap but you definitely get what you pay for. Our group of 4 never made it past the appetizers and small plates. Shanghai dumplings, vegetable dumplings, beef pot stickers, golden shrimp, crispy tofu, shrimp spring rolls, kung pao chicken and red rice. What a fun and delightful meal! The service was spectacular with terrific suggestions! Come summer we'll be back to eat on the outside patio overlooking Michigan Avenue! By the way, this is in the Peninsula hotel. read more

Food, service , ambiance--all amazing. Memorably great night on the terrace. Most upscale restaurants like this have forgetable desserts but not Shanghai Terrace. Three of us got desserts and they were 3 of the best desserts I've ever had. read more

Ok this place is amazing. The soup dumplings are a must. The vegetarian dumplings were great. I loved the fried rice. Had a great crunch to it. The service was great and the ambiance is great for a special occasion or date night. read more

Shanghai Terrace - Vegetable Dumpling Lobster and Lobster and Chicken Dumpling with Black Truffle - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Highlights: * High End Chinese Food in Elegant Surroundings * Polished hardwoods and red lacquer indoors * Comfortable Terrace with Skyline Views outdoors * Peninsula level service If you seek well executed Cantonese food and dim sum in elegant surroundings with Peninsula quality service, Shanghai Terrace does not disappoint. I know that some people think Chinese food should be cheap and you shouldn't pay $16 or $18 for a few dumplings. Well I say you should if you want to enjoy high quality food in an elegant place with a chef who worked in the finest places in Beijing and staff that would fit in to any high end establishment. We had a great multi course meal with a glass of Champagne, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, Crab Siewmai, Lobster Chicken Dumplings, Shanghai Dumplings, a half order of Peking duck and a beautiful pineapple coconut dessert all for $179 plus tax and gratuity for two. The weather in mid October was delightful so we were able to enjoy the terrace. Not only are there nice city views but the setting is so peaceful, tranquil and Zen, it puts you in a great mood. Shanghai has a small but well selected wine list with 5 Champagnes ranging from only $105 for Laurent Perrier Brut up to $445 for Krug Grand Cuvee and $450 for Don Perignon. There's a nice selection of whites including everything from Puligny Montrachet, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnary. Bottles start at $75 and there'a a fairly large by the glass selection as well. Reds cover many bases from Cote du Rhone, Brunello, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet and more even though I counted only a couple dozen or so total offerings presented to me. Shanghai Terrace is a must stop for those seeking an elegant Cantonese meal. If you prefer cheap, I'm sure you can find many other options in Chicago. read more

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Everything about this meal was amazing. From the moment we walked in the restaurant was beautiful with a great terrace. Our server was so nice and very knowledgeable about the menu. He made great recommendations and was very attentive to us. The food was delicious. We had a great experience and will definitely return. read more

Shanghai Terrace - Lobster and Chicken Dumpling with Black Truffle - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best dim sum in the area. I wished I got food to go because I was craving it at home. Their Peking duck is amazing. I remember eating 10+ during the Thanksgiving brunch (pre-covid) and that was after the eggs Benedict with caviar and truffles and etc. My favorite dishes: Peking duck (1/2 order) - although I always want to convince myself I can eat a whole order. Amazing. My favorite dish here. Pork buns - kids LOVE it XLB (pork soup dumplings) - kids LOVE it Chicken fried rice - delicious Spicy beef dumplings - delicious Shrimp & chive dumplings - not fishy at all, good Chocolate ice cream with a raspberry on top - a great way to end the lunch Sake - delicious. Service was great. There's always someone looking out for your table and giving you attention. I love the boat chopstick holder. Nice touch! read more

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For all the hype of Shanghai Terrace being top notch white glove service with all the attention to finer details, perhaps this was a thing of their past?!! What made me want to try this place (located inside the ever sophisticated Peninsula Hotel) was many Yelp reviews mentions of impeccable service and attention to details. Who isn't a sucker for it? Sadly, the white glove was replaced by blue surgical gloves, and very little attention to interaction or table service. In fact, it was a hot humid afternoon and went quickly through the bottle of Pellegrino and getting flat table water took me waiving down the waiter who said half way through the meal he would be going on break. Not sure he found anyone to take over the table service because it was truly absent!! The table water had something blue floating in it, and asking for a fresh glass resulted in a loud snicker... not exactly what one expects at a place of this high caliber! Decided to splurge for the Pecking Duck ($52) half order lunch which is what they are known for and while it was very good, I've had similar at another restaurant on Michigan Avenue for a more reasonable price point. Also, be aware they shortened their menu and abandoned their bamboo menus as seen in many older Yelp reviews, as well as the brass boats to sit the chopsticks upon and their traditional deserts, complimentary almond cookie and chocolates at the end like described across many Yelp reviews. To say I was underwhelmed at the whole experience is an understatement. I truly feel bad for the waiters because when I asked about what I saw in Yelp reviews, the waiter bluntly said "yes management changed many things customers liked because of covid, so right now we have what we have" - you can detect frustration in his tone. I know he felt it in mine too! read more

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I'll preface this by saying I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to "fine dining" Chinese food because normally you can get the same food but better and cheaper in actual Chinatown. My family is Shanghainese so I often eat the food and I felt like the menu didn't have many things that were distinctly Shanghainese, rather it was just general Chinese food. Some of the dim-sum was TWO dumplings for $20?! We ordered: - Crispy Tofu with Salt and Pepper (3/5): I was expecting this to be similar to salt and pepper tofu you find at chinese restaurants, but this one was firmer tofu and had some sort of outer wrapping that was fried. The outside was quite thick and hard so it was hard to chew. It was also only a few pieces of tofu, then the rest was iceberg lettuce :') - Golden Shrimp (4/5): Their version of Walnut Shrimp, not bad. Sauce tasted more sour as opposed to the normal sweetness. - Dong Po Pork Belly (4/5): Comes wrapped in a pyramid, and the inside is filled with cubed potatoes. This tasted pretty good, but not worth $36 imo Definitely try to get a table on the terrace as it's way more beautiful than the inside! Service was lovely. read more

Shanghai Terrace - Crispy Tofu With Salt And Pepper, Golden Shrimp - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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