*Shanghai gate (exterior shot not mine---www.hiddenboston.com)
Not that long ago, I went to Shanghai Gate (204 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA (617) 566-7344) with my mom. She head kept repeating to me wanting the "xiao lung bao" many times. After the tenth time, I got the hint. We embarked on a good 25 minute walk from my place. It was a cool Sunday afternoon for a June day. We got there by 1pm.
There were a few tables. I told my mom there were major renovations for this restaurant since I first ate there back in fall of 2005! There was picture of the owner with Daisuke, our treasured BOSOX pitcher. Later on that night, my sis told me she saw him at the airport.
Once seated, we got the "Xiao lung bao" or soup dumplings usually served with a gingery vinegar dipping sauce, west lake chicken, five spice tofu and leek pies. The two cold appetizers five spice tofu and west lake chicken were interesting. I LOVED the five spice tofu and both my mom and I ate it up. The west lake chicken did not do much for us. It was our least favorite. We tasted the wine in the marinade but holds lackluster in flavors compared to other Asian style chicken dishes I have had. The leek pies were good and the crust nice and crisp. There were plenty of chives and you could tell it was freshly made. The "Xiao lung bao" were good and mini sized. A bit on the pricy side compared to NYC but bursting with flavor and freshness.
We did get the sweet soybean milk. To my mom's taste, she thought it overly sweet. I thought otherwise, I said compared to others I have had it was just right.
Our server was friendly and explained things. When we noted the price discrepancy on the "lunch menu" and regular menu she said they had no issues. We just warned her that they should not show the "incorrect" menu to avoid some misunderstandings.
I give it 8 forks out of 10 forks.
*side story: He was cool and she did not know that D & G made gold plated razor phones! He was very polite and nice. Seems he was being sent ahead for the next time he was pitching but that day there was a game at Fenway. He was taking an American Carrier. When he came into Logan, it was not that busy. My sis did mention if it were not for someone recognizing him, she would not have known.
