We received an invite to attend a media launch at the shiny new Taste of Shanghai Burwood restaurant. It is a huge space attached to Westfield shopping centre; with a large open kitchen and modern fit out with decorative reference to Shanghai. This new venue is sophisticated and complete with a bar which is right in front of you at the entrance. There is also a private dining room, complete with two large round tables both with an extravagant marble lazy Susan.
The menu contains many of their standout home style cooking from the other venues and some new options including stews, stone bowls and their Grand Opening Special Chilli Crayfish which alone is worth visiting for.
No need to go thirsty with their stocked bar and a range of interesting and the non alcoholic drink options available. Choose your refreshment, be it white wine, red wine, beer, maybe a lychee and mango crush, ice cream milk tea or signature lemon tea.
The ordering was left in the hands of our lovely host Amy. The banquet included an amazing selection of food, chosen for all in attendance to share. With a number of Shanghainese favourites marching toward the table including pan fried pork buns, sun dried cabbage pancakes and the fried dough sticks awaiting any opportunity to soak up any delicious sauce left over.
A line up of the chef’s picks come to rest on the Lazy Susan. The favourites were creatively presented Barramundi in Lemon sauce, the mud crab in special sauce, braised pork belly as well as the sweet and sour eggplant. Other notables were the stewed tofu with salt pork, pickled white radish and squid ink rice with seafood.
It wouldn’t be a banquet with out a sweet finish and lets face it, room can always be spared for mango pancakes. These were particularly good as they were made using fresh mango. No fresh mango, no mango pancakes! This is reflective of all the food being served at this restaurant. Fresh and delicious! Other desserts arrived, including fruit platters and deep fried Chinese milk dough.
We loved the fit out and shared a meal in good company. Thank you to Ompty media for allowing us to tag along and to Amy as well as the staff of Taste of Shanghai for their hospitality. If Ashfield is busy, check out the Burwood location, they have plenty of space to accomodate.
http://tasteofshanghai.com.au/