T8 Restaurant, Shanghai

Why do they have to speak English? They won't even answer in Putonghua when spoken to in their native language, until the last minute when leaving, then they were all smiles and friendly. Were they being happy that we left finally? Yes, it is not easy for the young waiters to be polite when using English. Manager please note: Let them use Putonghua if it makes them comfortable and relax, especially when the guests speak the same. Aiyayaaaaa, ta ma di ing wen!!! IS THIS STILL IN THE COLONIAL ERA or WHAT!!! Relax mate, if you really would like to portray the easy going nature of an Aussie fine dining.

The food is excellent. However, I would rather have the waiters/waitresses from median priced Ding Tai Fung, Su Che Hui, any Chamate restaurants hijacked and forget about English speaking skills. You're not running a Call Centre to English speaking countries here.

The sour note is on the tepid sparkling mineral water that was offered on arrival. It this mineral water from street vendor at Fuyou Street of Old Shanghai? It was 37 degree celcius during the day, the average Aussies would choked on drinking room temperature water.

Laughing out loud when kitchen crew, Xiang, answers 'Yes, Sir!' to the female order shouter. Those were the relaxed moments for us.

Mystically named T8 is acclaimed to be one of the best restaurants in Shanghai, and Conde Nast has selected it to be on the top 50 restaurants of the world. Not bad reputation.

The place is ultra-designed, a lot of darkness with a few strategically placed lightspots here and there. The kitchen is open to the tables -- you can also ask a seat on a bar table next to kitchen to see in detail how your meal is prepared.

The food is excellent and costy in Shanghai standards. We ate two course lunch with 10e per person plus beverages. It was clearly the best lunch I've ever had, due to the food, the atmosphere and the company. The place was surprisingly empty, so table reservation seems not to be necessary for the lunch during low season.

Favorite Dish: Try Peking duck pizza, if it's available.

T8 is a Western-style restaurant and when you are inside, you won't know if you are at one of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, London, Sydney, or Tokyo.

Last year, it was named one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the World by Conde Nast magazine (the only restaurant in China that made the list).

The decor is minimalist, but T8 is very warm and inviting. You can either sit in the large room (compared to the other rooms) that include an open kitchen to watch the chefs in action, or you can choose a more secluded table in one of the many semi-secluded nooks around the main room.

The food and service are superb, the wine list is good (a business associate complained that there weren't enough California or French wines on the menu), and the prices are steep.

If you are on an expense account, or if you want to be pampered with great food and service, you'll love T8. If you are looking for a more local experience, absolutely do not come here.

Favorite Dish: The menu changes regularly. I love the fresh fish dishes and have not had a bad meal even when I opted for a meat entree.

They used to have a fantastic caesar salad, but for some reason, it is no longer on the menu....

What is the best restaurant in Shanghai ??? Laris, T8, Jade 36 ????? T8 is without a doubt is in the running !!!! Located in the chic French Concession, this place is a bit hard to find, but once you find it it well worth the trip here !!!!!! Try to ask for a table downstairs where you can see the open kitchen work it's magic. The menu is short and sweet, the wine list long but simple. The price's are on par with other high end restaurants in Shanghai, and the food is to die for !!!!! Upstairs feels like a private club, less noise, and the service is perfect. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT !!!! check out the web site for the full menu !!!!!

Update May 2009:

To many this is Shanghai's best restaurant...and it's hard to argue.....but just like everywhere else in Shanghai the prices have gone thru the roof....Charged 120 RMB about $18 US dollars for a bottle of water...I don't know what it is with these places charging so much for a bottle of water, but that left me with a bad taste....

The food continues to be good and the service excellent, would go again, but don't order WATER !!!!!!

this is a place you'll never forget once you pay a visit. the deco is very luxurious yet low key. very asian style grids, wood patterns, open kitchen, round bronze table...ohh...they even have teddy bears in the sofa...cute...the food is really fantastic. their signature dish king prawn is a very good combination of western cooking style with asian accent. the new chef is from sweden and he used to work at aqua in new york. liked his balance in food texture, color and taste. have to mention about the chocolate lava cake...phew...it's delicious...will definitely go to this restaurant again...

Favorite Dish: chocolate lava cake...the temperature of the cake and liquidity of the inner hot chocolate is well balanced...the size is just perfect...you'll have the flavor lingering on your tongue...