From a foodie’s perspective, the one single glaring gaping hole within our GTA Chinese culinary landscape is the absence of note-worthy, commendable, authentic Shanghainese Cuisine…….until now! This evening’s exceptional and memorable meal not only managed to fill up our city’s ‘Shanghainese Cuisine void’. The stand-out menu, featuring some scarce, authentic
old-school offerings easily fulfilled my long overdue craving and more. Not since the now defunct ‘Sika Deer‘ on Finch and Midland has there been the emergence of such a traditional Shanghainese establishment, whipping up arrays of well executed, genuine Shanghainese fare!
Just their simple and heavenly good Xiao Long Bao soup dumpling alone deserves unceasing kudos and accolades. Never have I encountered such delicious and umami packed elixir of a soup dumpling broth outside of the Orient! The remaining delicately seasoned and packed pork filling plus the translucently thin pocket combined to create, IMHO, the BEST XLB in the GTA!
Other authentic and traditional dishes our party ordered included:
- Deep Fried Aromatic and Crispy Duck ( Chinese rendition of Duck Confit….but way more flavorful! A truly finger-licking-good ‘Duck’ experience! )
- Stir fried Snake-Head Fish with Black Fungus in fermented rice/wine sauce ( Delicate, perfectly cooked fish with attractive aromatic and slightly sweet fermented rice essence )
- Shanghai Style Oil Poached Shrimp. ( Subtle and delectable. The shrimp unbelievably crunchy and sweet. )
- Braised Bamboo shoot in seasoned oil ( A classic Shanghainese vegetable dish done well )
- Water, Pan-fried crispy bottom Buns with Crab and Pork filling ( Piping hot, so, eat with care! Tasty and delightful. Oozing with delicious broth. )
- Hearing the lady chef owner was an accomplished Chinese dessert chef from Suzhou, China. We finished our meal with a Dessert platter of various mochis and cakes, the stand out being the one with hand made organic red-bean paste filling! A rarity and sooo good!
With the delectable food well exceeded our expectation and our party touching only the tip of a vast ‘menu iceberg‘. This is one establishment that for sure, we will have numerous returns!
On the surface, the menu pricing for most dishes seemed to be on the highside. However, for the quality, authenticity, rarity and deliciousness of the food. Paying a premium to savor such a culinary experience in the GTA is IMHO, well worth it!
Lastly, our super friendly and attentive lady server ‘ Cindy ‘ deserves a special mention. Despite a packed and full house by 6.30 pm, she never missed a beat and provided us with unwavering help and attention!
