Shanghai Terrace — Restaurant in Chicago

The combination of restful setting, superb food and faultless service make this Chicago’s best Chinese restaurant, and one of its top restaurants overall. It’s particularly delightful when it’s warm enough to eat on the terrace, a surprisingly serene environment considering it’s just a half dozen or so floors above Michigan Avenue.

We put ourselves in our waiter’s hands, and he assembled a delightful multi-course meal for us.

We began with an assortment of six pieces of dim sum, individually plated for each of us. This item is not listed on the menu (nor is any form of dim sum sampler) so it is worth asking about. Although I am not a huge dim sum fan, this was clearly the best I have ever had; each was light and flavorful, and even the crab rangoon managed to be delicate and appealing.

Next we shared a split serving of hot and sour soup, also the best I’ve had, with less vinegar and more broth flavor. Plenty of tender lobster chunks made it special.

Peking duck is available in a full or half portion, and the half is perfect for sharing as an appetizer. It’s served with the traditional cucumber, scallions, pancakes and sauces, but the duck was so perfect we ate most of it by itself. Crispy skin and no layer of fat at all made it among the best duck dishes I’ve had. Next time I might try the five spice duck to compare it.

For entrees we shared scallops in black truffle sauce, and a spicy shrimp dish. Both were good, and were different from anything else we’d had, but I felt the preceding courses were better.

Perhaps the highlight of the meal was an amazing red rice dish that I didn’t see on the menu. It was vegetarian, and included various nuts, broccoli and other tidbits, and had a rich, mouth-filling flavor that was remarkable. I would definitely ask for this again.

Finally we finished with a fruit and sorbet plate. Our waiter added a bit of coconut sorbet, which turned out to be the highlight.

A well-conceived wine list offers many selections designed to accompany the food, including a small half bottle section. Wine prices are erratic, with some barely above retail, and others sky high, so careful browsing is required, but will be rewarded.

This was a great meal, and I’m sure we will return often to this surprising oasis in the midst...

We visited Shanghai Terrace this past weekend and had a good experience! A few positives:

The environment was great. It's located in the lower level of the Peninsula Hotel. We went during the holidays so the outside light display was outstanding. The actual restaurant itself is a little small but in a cozy way. The food was good! We had the spicy beef potstickers both steamed and friend (recommend steamed) and the Golden Shrimp (outstanding) to start. Notable entrees were the kung pao chicken, the Chilean Sea Bass in Traditional Szechwan Sauce, and the Spicy Crispy Beef Tenderloin, and the fried rice (totally recommend). We also ordered the 1/2 Peking Duck... more on that in a moment. It was just okay IMO. Staff was kind and the front host was quick and polite! Drinks were tasty. I ordered a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the guys at my table were sipping on Sour Cherry Old Fashioned's. Those had ginger beer in them. When they were made right they were really refreshing and good but sometimes too much ginger beer. My mom was drinking a cocktail called the "horse" which included pear-vanilla puree, lemon cordial, st. germain, prosecco. Delicious but also more of a brunch type of drink.

Some negatives: Holy expensive! We had a $450 gift certificate to this place and the bill for our table of 6 was $600. The drinks were a good $16-$20 a piece... The Peking duck was only ok! I hate even writing that. It was kind of cold. Our server recommended it and said it was the best thing on the menu but honestly I would go for one of the dishes mentioned above. The service was good but it took forever! It took a long time to even get our drinks ordered (a good 30 minutes) and then for the drinks to come. The appetizers came quick (good) but another 40 minutes or so for dinner entrees and then an extra 15 - 20 minutes for the fried rice. My food was cold by the time the rice came....

Overall a cool experience but be ready to drop...

A Symphony of Flavors and First-Class Service From the moment you step into this culinary haven, you are treated to first-class international service, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The highlight of the evening, the remarkable French wine list, perfectly complements the exquisite dishes. Starting with the Pork Siewmai with Black Truffle, each bite is a delicate balance of savory pork and the earthy richness of black truffle. The Lobster and Chicken Dumpling with Black Truffle is a harmonious blend of succulent lobster and tender chicken, elevated by the aromatic truffle. The Chilean Sea Bass in Traditional Szechwan Sauce is a standout dish, featuring perfectly cooked sea bass in a vibrant Szechwan sauce with cayenne pepper, seasonal vegetables, ginger, and garlic. Each element comes together to create a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. The Traditional Peking Duck is a masterclass in preparation, with slow-roasted duck offering tender meat and crispy skin. Served with mandarin pancakes, cucumber, scallion, hoisin, and plum sauce, this dish is a celebration of tradition and taste. The Steamed Pork Dumpling Shanghai Style is a comforting delight, with juicy pork enveloped in a delicate dumpling wrapper, enhanced by the rich chicken broth. For those who crave a bit of heat, the Spicy Crispy Beef Tenderloin is a must-try. The tender beef, paired with king mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and a bold chili sauce, delivers a satisfying kick that leaves you wanting more. In summary, this restaurant not only delivers an exceptional dining experience with its exquisite dishes and remarkable French wine list but also sets a benchmark for first-class international service. Each dish is crafted with precision and passion, making this a destination that food enthusiasts cannot...