Shanghai Grill - quick review

Eight weeks is enough to work the bugs out, right?  I don't know, I took my girlfriend out to the relatively new Shanghai Grill, on South Broadway at the site of the former Pacific Rim Buffet, this past weekend and it just wasn't great.  I was expecting good things, based partially on the fact that the Latham location has a dedicated following and I also figured any restaurant opening in this economy and going nearly head-to-head with Sushi Thai Garden would make it a point to have their stuff together.

It wasn't an awful experience, in fact not even bad, just notably lackluster.  It started off poorly when my girlfriend ordered the banana daiquiri, which was on the menu.  They didn't have bananas.  OK, then how about a strawberry daiquiri?  No strawberries either, despite that drink also being on the menu.  They "stock the fruit in the summer".  OK, great, very impressive start.  Then they came back and said they do have bananas but no strawberries.  Sure, fine, whatever. 

The sushi looked great and was certainly the highlight of the meal.  We weren't that hungry and it was getting late - so we shared the Coconut Chicken entree.  It just wasn't good - the sauce was overspiced yet oddly the chicken itself was bland - almost as if it was added at the last minute.  If Latham is that good - and I know people that like it - then it felt as if the Saratoga Springs location had the B-team working.  If it was the second week I'd cut them some slack but it's the second month and I can't say this enough - THEY'RE COMPETING WITH SUSHI THAI GARDEN - a restaurant that I have never had less than a fantastic meal at.  If this location is going to survive, they'll need to improve it significantly or hope for a 40 week track season when even the less desirable restaurants get a crowd. 

Comments

[Ellen]

Gee, that's too bad. I was hoping to have a nice sit-down Chinese restaurant in town. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer for them to get in the groove and then check them out.

I think the building itself does not look inviting at all. And there's no landscaping in front. So that's kind of a turn-off before you even walk inside.

I know people who like the Chinese place near the CVS. Have you been there?

[Dan]

Hi Ellen and thanks for writing:
No I haven't been to that other restaurant yet, but maybe I will now based on what you heard. I will do the same thing you are doing and perhaps give Shanghai Grill another chance down the road. You are the second person is as many days to comment on the appearance of the place. It's huge inside, almost cavernous.