Shanghai Blues

The food I ordered was good, but not exceptional. The crispy noodles were not crispy (although the high quality seafood toppings were generous). I've had slightly better food at more moderately priced chinese restaurants. The Soft Shell Crab and Dragon Prawn was tasty (my mum gives it a 9/10), but I prefer the way more traditional chinese restaurants serve soft shell crab.

I like the fact that they serve a fair selection of dim sums after 5pm. I am still glad I went to this place. The service was brilliant. I've never had such good and attentive service in a restaurant. It made it worth the visit to be treated so well. They are the first place I've been to that truly earned their tip, plus extra.
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ANON
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 12, 2007

I came here with my boyfriend for my birthday and enjoyed it very much. It was rather dark when we first entered, however staff were helpful and directed us. Not good or safe, in case you fell because it was so dark.

The dim sum basket was nice, but quite pricey for 8 pieces, though were tasty.

The scallop and abalone dish had too much sauce and not enough scallops, unless there were only meant to be 3 scallops. It was a simple dish, cooked very well though. The rice parcel was really nice. The noodle dish with prawns was very fresh and cooked well. The vegetable with garlic were really nice. The food was not as greasy or oily compared to some of the resturants in Chinatown, however when it was served it was NOT piping hot.

The ambience was really nice, and I loved the decor. The staff were very efficient, and maybe too helpful. But maybe Im not used to it. I would have like to check out the Jazz music. It is pricey though, and would only come for a special occasion. The resturant was impressive, though perhaps too dark.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Sunday, April 08, 2007

The interior design and ambience is impressive, dark and imposing.

Staff have zero personality, no flair, and walk around like cyborgs. Thats not to say they are efficient, no awareness of customer needs.

Most importantly the food. When it works it really works, the dim sum was delightful, the spare ribs were small but great. The mains caused huge problems for the restaurant. 5 mains were ordered, all coming out at different times, and were STONE COLD! We sent the dishes back, and 15 minutes later they came back out, and 2 were still cold. We complained politely, but when your paying £14 for a main dish you expect better.

Fair play to Shanghai blues, they recognised we had an awful experience and waived the bill. Its a real shame as this eatery is close to being good. Sadly its a mirage, what looks like should be a fantastic restaurant in fact turns out to be slightly above average chinese food charging premium prices.
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Sambo Hero
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

We went to Shanghai Blues last night. It is a really pretty place very nicely decorated. We first had a drink in the bar. They served little nibbles with it which was nice. There was pleasant piano background music. But I did not like the fact that they kept the mixer going to prepare drinks which was a disturbing loud noice ruining the atmosphere. The food was delicious but it is on the pricey side. We weren't particularly happy with the service though. First they were a bit pushy, more water, another bottle of wine...you constantly felt like you had to justify why not. Then they seemed to have given up and we had to ask for the desert/tea menu twice and wait for it for quite a long time. I dislike when they make you feel like you are not running up a high enough bill. That's just wrong and we did have starters, 2 bottles of wine, main, tea, so what else did they want?
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Sandra - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Saturday, January 27, 2007

Well from someone who lives in the country this was a real eye opener! Sad to say we do not get Chinese restaurants like this in the country. I thought it was really amazing, the food and the service was really fantastic. We happened on it by chance. I would highly recommend this restaurant, even you urbanites would be impressed!!
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Jamie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Excellent service and relaxing ambience. Food is very tasty and well-presented. The morning glory dish is a must-have, best I've ever had! I'll definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone. A great place to bring your girlfriends/wives to, even friends or business clients as well.
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Sim
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 11, 2006

My brother recommended this place for a nice dinner...I read up on the menu beforehand and was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of options as far as dumplings go. I wasn't disappointed - The Ha Gau was divine and generously portioned for the price. The pak choy was amazing too. However, the service was too overbearing..The staff were always surrounding us ready to pour water into our glasses (which we didn't want) and i was also disappointed with the tea and dessert. Would go back for the ambience and to sample the bar and stick to dim sum.
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N - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Thursday, December 07, 2006

We decided to try this restaurant after a night at the theatre. Our party of five initially had problems adjusting to the very dark surroundings but once seated could appreciate the rather beautiful decor: stylish, dark wood with deep red touches and a hint of what Shanghai must have been like about 100 years ago. We were seated at a very large table wich could easily accomodate 8-10 people. For a party of 5 this was far to big and hindered group conversation. The staff were very nice, helpful and attentative, especially our Polish waiter. Unfortunately, two things, over which he had no control, rather ruined the evening somehow. Firstly the incredibly loud music that was blasting through the room. The live Jazz music on the mezzanine was not only incongruous with the place it was also so loud that we simply couldn't hear eachother talk and conversation was impossible. After asking several times when the music would end (and not just by our party), it eventually did, only to be replaced by equally loud music from some speakers. The staff did turn it down after several people asked them to do so. The secondly, we had to wait a very long time for our starters. Then three arrived. We then had to wait another 20 minutes before the other two starters arrived even though we aksed several times what was going on. Our waiter apologized profoundly and offered us some drinks for the inconvenience, which was very nice. However, it then took another very long time for the mains to arrive. It was obvious tyhat the cook was in no hurry whatsoever to get out the orders. The food was fine. My crispy chicken was very bland and boring indeed and I was happy I had ordered some interesting noodles to go with it. My fellow diners' dishes were more interesting and tasty. Don't be fooled by the 'spicy' note though. Spicy in Shanghai is still rather mild. Shanghai Blues was a good experience but unless they drastically change the music policy and get the cooks to do some time management, I am in no hurry to go back. Oh, do try the Lychee wine as digestive. Very nice.
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Michael
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 30, 2006

Had a fabulous meal here yesterday with my family. The staff were enormously kind and caring, both towards my wheelchair bound mother-in-law and my two very young children.

The food was terrific - the dim sum especially so and the non-alcoholic cocktails are to die for. The only niggle is that I wish the staff spoke better English - it can be a real handicap if they don't understand what you're saying and have to go around to find a member of staff who speaks English!

A wonbderful atmospheric restaurant with some of the very best CHinese food in London!
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Luigi Bonomi
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 23, 2006

Went there for dinner with my partner. Nice setting and inerior design. Waiter very helpful when I seek info on party venue. Food is nice though a bit pricy.
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Christine Tseng
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 19, 2006