Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Madison

Ok this review is based on a large group (9 people). If you go with a group of 7 or 8 or more they make you get a fixed menu. Dinner was $70 per person plus our group added the optional shrimp dish which added a extra $5 per person. For $75 a person we could have have a much better meal elsewhere. Included in their fixed menu was an appetizer sampler. There was one dumpling, one piece of a spring roll (yes they were cut in pieces), one wonton, some small cooked peppers and a salad. Then they brought out a wrap with duck in it. Then dinner was the extra cost shrimp dish (very small I was last to get it and got 1 shrimp), a mixed meat dish (beef, pork and chicken), a platter of roasted chicken with some broccoli and a dish of salmon. Dessert was a sampler platter. A tiny spoon of ice cream, one per person. 2 small slices of cheese cake, a piece of Tiramisu and 1 tiny lava cake (keep in mind we were 9 people, I think 5 of us got a teaspoon taste of it) Where do I start, the entire meal was cold, including the appetizers. The only hot thing we were served was the tiny lave cake. The salmon and chicken were dried out (& cold) like it had been cooked hours before and was waiting for us. They were the only things that were served an ample amount and they were so unappetizing we barely ate them. Everyone said the mixed dish of beef, pork and chicken was tasty but there was not enough to go around. The waitress did do a good job and served us promptly and pleasantly. My group didn't want to complain about the food as she was working so hard which I thought was a mistake. At least they could have tried to fix the errors but everyone was concerned they would have just heated up the food which would have made it worse. Oh and we were seated in the raised room at the back of the restaurant and there was no heat! It was literally freezing. Most of our group wore their coats. There is a fireplace in that room but it offers no heat. The jazz band was fine but only plays for about an hour and they are LOUD. So, maybe if you go with a smaller group or a couple your experience may be different but I would definitely NOT recommend going with a large group. Seatings are only offered at 6:15 or 8:30. 6;15 was booked and we went for the 8:30 (reservation made a week ahead). We were seated until after 9:00. The check in was chaotic at best. First seating leaving, second coming people standing at the bar and in the doorways. Long story short, I will not...

Was wandering around Madison NJ on a date night with my wife. We noticed a cheesy looking plastic sign falling over inside the glass vestibule of a restaurant claiming that this place was voted in the top-100 of the best jazz clubs in the world. I laughed, and pointed it out to my wife who said, "Well, it sounds like something you'd like, so we can go check it out at least."

Well, I'm super glad we did. The restaurant had a very subdued elegant vibe which instantly put us at ease. The greeter/possibly owner let us wander around and see the menu after assuring us that yes, indeed it has been rated as one of the world's top-100 jazz clubs. Right here in Madison. My wife and I were very happy when the greeter/owners family came out and his maybe 3 year old son started running around and saying hello while the trio played.

And of course, the trio were superb! Extra applause for the pianist and bassist that evening. We loved the music and the intimate size of the restaurant.

All of the food was excellent as well - all of the full and rich flavors of your favorite Chinese take out place, yet miraculously none of the grease, corn syrup, and MSG. We ate everything and just loved it!

The greeter also let us, a couple, sit at a 6-top because it was near the fireplace which my wife found so cute and exciting to have inside a restaurant.

We...

Went here last night had an 8:30 reservation. We are from out of town and arrived a little early (8:15) and we’re told they wouldn’t be ready to seat us until 8:35. NBD, we went down to the “speakeasy” and had a cocktail- which was great. We went back up around 8:45 and there was now a crowd of people waiting to be seated. Others were complaining at this point as they were also told they would be seated at 8:35 and had left the speakeasy to be seated for dinner. We were seated by 8:50. At 9:05, no one had come over to give us water. I walked over to the water pitchers in the dining room and poured it for us. There were waiters around and none batted an eye. There was a table of six seated behind us and the waitress walked by our table many times and did not even acknowledge us. By 9:15 no one had come to take our drink order or fill our waters. Others were already receiving their appetizers at this point so we left. The host did ask if there was anything that could be done, but at this point, we’d lost our appetite and desire to see the show. Reading through the comments, it appears this was not a one off experience over the last few months. The service is terrible. There were three waiters and it was not busy. Staggering seating times would help and also allowing more time for turnover so tables are ready at the scheduled ...