ShangHai Taste
Sheng Jian
Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao
Shanghai Fried Rice Cake
House Fried Fat Noodles with Shrimp
House Fried Rice with Shrimp
Shanghai Duck
Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs
Red Bean Xiao Long Ba
Continuing Phase Two of Las Vegas’ COVID-19 recovery Shanghai Plaza is picking up steam, a number of facemask-clad patrons forming short lines at both the Ice Cream Parlor and Bakery, but for those seeking a truly outstanding meal the flagship of 4266 Spring Mountain Road remains 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, limited seating in the era of Social Distancing making take-out as good an option as dining in, it was via contacting the Restaurant directly that Thursday catering was coordinated, managing partner Joe Muscaglione arriving at 11:30am-sharp with eight items in potions large enough for sharing.
An office #supportlocal first timer, though Chef Li’s time at 3 Villages, 1900 Asian Cuisine and Niu Gu found several familiar with his authentic brand of cooking, it was with all items carefully-packed and temperature appropriate that most got started with Fried Rice, a bit of tooth welcomed amidst Shrimp, Egg and Soy while Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs were a surprising staff-favorite thanks to tender Flesh easily stripped from the Bone.
Sharing several Shanghainese favorites, but keeping the menu 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 fried version entitled Sheng Jian with Sesame Seeds.
Built on family recipes handed down to Chef Li, his House Fried Fat Noodles with choice of Protein always a crowd-pleaser, Shanghai Duck proved somewhat polarizing amongst the less adventurous while Stir-fried Rice Cakes traditionally known as Chao Nian Gao found favor thanks to sticky-soft pillows with salt and a bit of sweetness.
Only offering two Desserts, neither “American” by any stretch, fans of Red Bean Paste should not pass on Jimmy’s Red Bean Xiao Long Bao, the same delicate wrappers traditionally porting Soup here found stuffed with a lightly-sugared Puree lacking any graininess.
N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Chef Jimmy Li and Joe Muscaglione face an uphill battle much like the rest of Las Vegas’ Restaurants following COVID-19, but for those seeking Chinatown’s best Shanghainese Cuisine there is simply none better when accounting for cost, quality and customer service.
RECOMMENDED: Sheng Jian, Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake, House Fried Fat Noodles, Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Red Bean Xiao Long Bao.
AVOID: N/A.
TIP: Open daily from 11:00am until 8:00pm. Call 702-570-6363 or hop on Yelp! to make reservations.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
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