ottawa foodies

I went here the other day with some colleagues and the food was very poor. The egg rolls were burned, there was very little seasoning or flavour, the sweet and sour chicken balls ranged from poor to crunchingly inedible. The bill was brought before we were finished, no napkins were offered and, worst of all, the server didn't ask why we left most of our food behind. Even the water tasted funny. It was a very weird dining experience, one I will not risk repeating.

One of the only Chinese restaurants in the whole city that I trust when they say a dish is vegetarian. Too many other places have given me chicken or something with lard in it even after they promised me that my meal wouldn't have meat in it.
At Shanghai, the vegetables are fresh and the sauces taste just right. The ginger fried rice is a part of my order every time.

Not good. We ordered for delivery. Spicy seafood had only 2 of 4 seafood: shrimp (all 4 pieces;) and slices of scallop - no advertised calamari or crab were present, AND for a cost of $16 - plus, there was NO spice - I had to doctor it for my 8 year old. The hot and sour soup : sweet (ow), skimpy portion. Ginger miso veg - skimpy portion for the price ($11.00 for less than a cup full of veg). Even singapore noodle SWEET and no spice (and of course only 3 shrimp). We do not recommend. Very disappointing.

I had dinner at Shanghai Saturday night. We were there for the after-eats entertainment (karaoke) for a friend’s b’day but this review is strictly for the food experience and I have to say, it’s harsh but honest.

Being Chinese and having lived in China for the better part of 2010, the food at Shanghai was beyond disappointing – in fact, I would use the adjectives “abominable” and “insulting”.

Every dish looked and tasted the same. Any meat dishes were predominantly made of vegetables and cooked in the exact same sauce. The pad thai was the saddest looking and tasting pad thai I’ve had. For a restaurant that has been around such a long time, the venue was packed. They do well because of the theme nights but I just have to shake my head at the food they serve. Compared to the stuff doled out at Chinese fast food vendors in malls, I'd much rather eat that mall food. Definitely not a glowing review.

Did anyone know that this is the oldest chinese restaurant in Ottawa, that's still around? It was there on Somerset even before that area became chinatown.

It is also third generation running that place and the 'nouveau' decor and motive were added by this last gen. I have been there many years ago and just before the transition, and also once after. (I've been here for 30+ years).

If you're looking for atmosphere and ambiance..if that is possible in a chinese restaurant, then I'd say it's interesting. I wouldn't go there for that, but I could see others.

As for the food, it is pretty bad canadian chinese food. And with so many chinese restaurants closer to the real thing, nostalgia would be the only reason why anyone would go there. Remebering the days of the sweet & sour chicken balls and cha shui chow mien! Ughhhh.

I certain would never go there again. And I eat in chinatown at least once a day, sometimes twice.

My partner had the Cantonese Chow Mein next. It has egg noodles, chicken, pork, shrimp and veggies. He ate everything except some cauliflower and said that he loved it!

Overall, the atmosphere was great and the service was attentive. (We went early evening before the restaurant was busy). We will be going back soon.

Next I had the Vegetable Pad Thai (with egg) - Also very tasty with a good spice and the waitress brought two extra types of hot sauce with the dish (one she warned me to try with caution so I avoided that one).

My partner and I went to Shanghai for dinner last Sunday and it was a great experience. I'm usually wary of Chinese restaurants that have plates to share because I'm a vegetarian and my partner eats meat. Also, I'll try new foods while he tends to stick to what he knows. I started with the bean curd soup which was very tasty. I also had a spring roll while my partner had an egg roll.