One of the yummy 'dumplings and wine' dishes at New Shanghai
What an absolute pleasure to have been invited to dine out at
New Shanghai for a beautiful dinner, with quality glasses of wine matched to the food offerings. Welcome to New Shanghai, and what an extremely pleasant welcome a close friend of mine and I received from the beautiful staff. The restaurant at Chatswood Chase shopping centre is one of five New Shanghai restaurants around Sydney.
We came here reasonably hungry at around 6:30pm, and there was already a roaring trade, no doubt well received, since their Chatswood Chase store has been established for around two years. It's also a great child-friendly establishment. Three cheers thus far.
The bar area at New Shanghai, Chatswood Chase
It was only around a week ago that the management at New Shanghai decided to add quality non-alcoholic cocktails such as the Virgin Pina Colada; the Shirley Temple and the Virgin Sex on the Beach to this alternative cocktail offering. Sydney is the cocktail city after all, and management have once again responded to what their customers actually want. Nice one.
In addition to the beautiful ambience of the bar area it was amazing to see an extensive menu. The difficulty is always in deciding what to choose in such situations.
Amazing dumplings made right in front of you
The stunning offering from their menu would have to be their
'Dumplings and Wine' menu, started up in February. It is comprised of a seven-course degustation offering, with desserts as well so dessert lovers, your sweet tooths will also be satisfied. You can either choose this amazing menu offering with wine ($69 per person) or without wine ($49 per person).
The 'with wine' option includes six glasses of various wines (red and white) dished up with dinner. The blends have been carefully designed to match the dish served out to you, and must I say the staff are extremely organised (they have the timing of the dishes to a fine art without feeling rushed) and efficient. Love it. I really love it.
The first dish on the dumplings and wine menu
Chicken soaked in Chinese wine? I'm in...
First up a glass of Leo Burling Clare Valley Riesling, 2011 is served with a mixed cold dish starter comprising of some shredded kelp with some chopped cucumber and some beautiful chicken soaked in some quality Chinese wine, herbs and spices. The chicken was the star element in this dish. Well, for me anyway. Be prepared, some of this food is really spicy and it might be a good idea to ask for some water to balance things out.
Mix Steamed Delights 'paradise'
Yummy dumplings at New Shanghai
Secondly, a glass of Angel Cove Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 was served with one of their star attractions: some well cooked steamed dumplings. The pork was rather tasty and well cooked (this is coming from someone who isn't a pork lover) and the vegetarian dumplings were just divine. No wonder dumplings are so popular in Sydney, if I was to give out an award to a restaurant for the 'best dumplings in Sydney' New Shanghai would make my hit list and be the ultimate contender of such an award.
Yummy pork wontons...oh so flavoursome...
The third dish was a real treat, and the third glass of wine; the Cape Schanck Peninsula Pinot Griglo 2010 complemented such a simple and classic dish: the pork wontons tossed with sesame butter, red chilli oil and a combination of spices with a nice vinegar taste. Definitely something out of the ordinary. Watch out; the spice factor is at an all-time high. With great company (amen to that) something would not be quite right if quality conversations were not enjoyed come the third of seven dishes that came with the dumplings and wine banquet.
Beautiful pan fried dumplings
A glass of Fifth Leg Crisp Chardonnay 2010 came with some well presented pan friend dumplings. Juicy, flavoursome and rather filling. I was in dumpling, food and Sydney heaven with awesome company once again.
Shepherd's purse, prawn and tofu soup
The entrees are almost over, and some beautiful soup landed on my table: the Shepherd's Purse, Prawn and Tofu soup. The spinach and the tofu blended in quite nicely, and alas at this stage I was quite full. We walked into the restaurant at 6:30pm (or around abouts) and was around 8:30pm, and so far I have covered a lot of ground with great company. Rejoice.
The deep fried chicken as part of the main
The pork belly as part of the main dish
Last but not least, when it came to wine society the glasses of red were served. Pork belly in sweet soy sauce, and deep fried chicken with some tangy (and rather special) garlic and chilli sauce made way for food heaven. To be honest I wasn't too keen on the rice, yet the pork belly surprised me in a wonderful way. Bliss.
Desserts paradise...
An amazing dumplings and wine menu offering at New Shanghai could not be complete with a glass of Penfolds Koonunga Hill 76 Shiraz Cabernet. We were offered a choice of two different desserts from a strawberry and custard like dish to slow cooked white fungus with papaya soup. It just goes to show that "sharing is caring" and these dishes made way for a fitting finale.
Dumplings and wine heaven
No need to be disappointed if you do not live near or cannot make your way to Chatswood, as well as the two restaurants in Chatswood there is always Bondi Junction, Charlestown and Ashfield.
If this particular girlfriend of mine rang me to thank me for dinner and was so impressed that she has decided to go back there for dinner again with her son just two night after, then something must have been really sensational about this experience. I will also be back for another pleasant treat at New Shanghai very soon.
Thank you very much New Shanghai for an amazing and civilised dining experience.
Thank you very much New Shanghai
The 'Dumplings & Wine' at New Shanghai was offered to Justine courtesy of New Shanghai, Chatswood.
