ShangHai Taste
Sheng Jian
Kao Fu
Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao
Crab Yolk Xiao Long Bao
Shanghai Scallion Pancake
Steamed Vegan Dumplings
Shanghai Fried Rice Cake
Cold Bean Curd Noodles with Housemade Scallion Oil
Noodle with Scallion Oil and Shanghai Soy Sauce
Fish Wonton Soup
Shanghai Duck
House Fried Rice with Shrimp
Offering everything from locally owned Weera Thai Kitchen to Sin City’s first outpost of international Dessert chain 85 Degree Bakery Café, Shanghai Plaza is a brightly-lit beacon, and if one is looking for a true “flagship” in the plaza at 4266 Spring Mountain Road the standout so far has to be Chef Jimmy Li’s ShangHai Taste.
Tucked inside Suite 104 of a two-story complex on the corner of Arville Street and Spring Mountain Road, it is upon entry that eyes are immediately drawn to Chinese-born Chefs working inside the restaurant’s glass prep-room, and with Chef Li’s time at 3 Villages, 1900 Asian Cuisine and Niu Gu well-known to fans the fact that everything on-site is made from scratch should come as no surprise.
Seating approximately ~40 guests from 10am daily, pacing still a work in progress but improving daily under the tutelage of business partner Joe Muscaglione, it is upon checking in at the hostess stand that guests are led to one of eight tables, the largest able to comfortably seat ten beneath speakers playing everything from Shanghainese hip-hop and mandopop to hardcore punk or electronic dance music.
Smart to call-ahead, or use Yelp! Online Check-In, those required to wait will discover several unique imports next door, and by the time one is done perusing beauty products alongside quirky confections a table will be ready with full view of ShangHai Taste’s modern kitchen.
Affordable without skimping on Ingredients, all thanks to Chef Li and Joe Muscaglione’s hard work, a distinctive feel is ensured by the fact that almost every single item on-site is imported from or near Shanghai, and with Condiments as well as Tea and Water present on every table all one needs to do after seating is figure out which delicious dishes to order.
Sharing several Shanghainese favorites, but keeping the menu fairly concise in comparison to many, fans of Soup Dumplings, or XLB, will be happy to know ShangHai Taste’s set a high standard, and whether one prefers Pork, Crab or even Gluten Free the textures and flavors are great, as too are the unique fried version entitled Sheng Jian.
Able to accommodate most dietary preferences, Shanghai Scallion Pancakes crispy and desirable to all but vegans, those eschewing all Animal products will likely gravitate to Steamed Dumplings filled with Herbs, though far more interesting bites are found in the form of steamed Wheat Gluten Kao Fu with Mushrooms and Cold Bean Curd Noodles with Housemade Scallion Oil.
Built on family recipes handed down to Chef Li, his House Fried Rice with choice of Protein always a crowd-pleaser, Soups are additionally a good choice during colder months, the housemade Tofu a favorite carried over from Niu Gu while Fish Wontons eat lighter than versions filled with Pork or Beef without tasting “fishy” at all.
Undoubtedly most popular for Xiao Long Bao, though selling out early of Angus Short Rib and Shanghai Style Pork Ribs on this particular Saturday, it was in brined Duck slick with Soy that solace was found, a similar sort of flavor found amidst Veg-friendly Noodles, though even more delicious were the Stir-fried Rice Cakes traditionally known as Chao Nian Gao.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Only open for two-weeks, Chef Jimmy Li and Joe Muscaglione could have never anticipated this much business so soon, but for those with a modicum of patience please rest assured that such well-prepared Cuisine at an affordable price is more than worth the effort – even if it requires an Uber both ways from the Strip
RECOMMENDED: Sheng Jian, Kao Fu, XLB, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake, Cold Bean Curd Noodles with Housemade Scallion Oil, Fish Wonton Soup.
AVOID: Thus far doing twice the amount of business originally projected, menu items do sell out from time-to-time, and arriving toward the tail-end of Lunch or Dinner is thus not currently recommended.
TIP: Open daily from 10:00am until 3:00pm and 5:00pm until 10:00pm. Call 702-570-6363 or hop on Yelp! to Check-in and save time.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
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