On a balcony looking down over the Shangri-La’s tastefully appointed lobby, there’s no denying Shang Palace is something of a grand location for Chinese food. Of course this isn’t any old Chinese restaurant, and the prices on the menu testify to as much when compared to most other Cantonese and Mandarin spots around town, but this shouldn’t deter you. Swap averagely priced, average tasting Asian fare at one of the city’s chains for this, and you won’t come away disappointed with the food here, even if the atmosphere can feel a little lacking at times and the service somewhat overzealous. Admittedly prawn crackers are notable by their absence, but the majority of dishes here are bursting with authentic flavour. Appetisers, such as the perfectly tangy seafood hot and sour soup, are well-sized to whet the palette and get you suitably excited for the mains. Opt for sautéed tenderloin with fresh chilli if you feel like sticking to tried and tested favourites, but the delicately poached fish with Szechuan peppercorns is the real show stopper here.
