Shanghai 1814 Restaurant

My wife and I found ourselves on a mini staycation in Southampton last month. As we are a couple of real foodies. Eating out experiences factor heavily on leisure time. I did a certain amount of research before our trip, so had an idea of where we may like to go. This restaurant not only looked good. But came with some impressive reviews. We decided to book a table for dinner. This was a midweek reservation. I booked us online, and was immediately hit by the need to input credit card details in order to be charged if you are a no show. Now, to clarify, this does not mean you cannot cancel, just can’t not turn up. I personally have no issue with this. If anything it demonstrates that these people have respect for their own business.

Our booking was for 1930hrs. We arrived outside an impressive looking Victorian era building. Not what you would expect of a Chinese restaurant. On entering through the big glass and brass double doors you feel that you have been transported to somewhere else.

There is an impressive bar / lounge area. However due to Covid restrictions at the time, this couldn’t be used. The restaurant makes ample use of dark colours, subtle lighting and lots of cherry blossom to set the stage for the meal.

We were soon shown to our table by a very polite waiter who gave us menus,  and took an order for drinks.

Drink service was pretty quick. I had a beer, and my wife a Drunken Concubine cocktail, this proved to be an interesting infusion of Lychee Liqueur, and Prosecco. She liked it so much she had a second go.

After a perusal of the menu, and timely discussion. We were able to order. Starters, Dim Sum Platter for me, Vegetarian Dim Sum Platter for her, and we also shared  some Pan Fried Pork Dumplings. All of these dishes were very well presented, and looked authentic. The Dim Sum was hot, and moist, a good mix of flavours. The Dumplings were my favourite. Good amount of filling, and although pan fried were tender, and juicy. We asked for a twenty minute break before moving on to our main course. Given the break we took the opportunity to order a bottle of red wine. My wife ordered a bottle of Portillo Malbec. Although not a standard accompaniment to Chinese food, it was a lovely full bodied wine, and at a fair price.

Our main course arrived. Roasted Duck with Black Truffle Sauce. An incredible dish of sliced meat off the bone, crispy duck skin with succulent perfectly cooked meat underneath. The sauce was light but with a surprising depth of flavour due to the truffle. Our second dish was Slow Cook Pork Belly in Cognac sauce. The pork was sliced, and cooked to be melt in the mouth tender, a few heads of baby Pak Choy swimming in  a medium thickness cognac sauce, this imparted all the flavour enhancing qualities of cognac without tasting boozy. A colourful, and tasty accompaniment side dish of Stir fry Mixed vegetables, and Egg Fried Rice rounded out the meal.

All round presentation was stunning and everything looked so appetizing. Colours, and flavours complimenting, and bouncing off each other.

Service was quick, polite, and efficient. Our waiter was never far away if we required anything but didn’t make his presence felt in an intrusive way. Table was comfortable. Tableware was spotlessly clean, as were the glasses.  The ambiance was amazing. Even sitting in an open part of the restaurant it felt private, and intimate. Toilets were also very clean, and not taken as an afterthought.

Thank you to all the staff for a memorable night out. We are already booked for our next visit. Our daughters birthday in November. See you then.