/ Food
Wei Jing Ge: Chinese Luxury on the Bund
Entering the glamorous entrance hall of the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, l felt like Cinderella. The high-class, century-old-fashion style with gold and wooden decorations immediately made me think of Titanic, especially going up Shanghai's oldest elevator - an old treasure of history, fascinating and very rare in a highly modern city like Shanghai.
The contemporary Chinese restaurant at the fifth floor only emphasizes this theme. If you ever want to trust Chinese food, trust this! Wei Jing Ge claims to feature "a collection of interesting Chinese reproduction antiques and art displays as if one has stumbled into a forgotten attic", and it certainly does. Serving a mix of Shanghainese, Cantonese, Sichuan and Huai Yang cuisine, the kitchen makes authentic regional Chinese delicacies marked by fresh produces and delicious flavors. Everything is served with a wealth of detail.
Trying nothing less than ten dishes, I find it hard to pick out favorites, since nothing failed. However, the Braised Bird's Nest with Bamboo Pith and Imperial Mushrooms made an especial impression. A banal-looking brown soup it doesn't really seem extraordinary at first sight, but after the first spoonful a fine sensitivity towards texture and flavor is revealed. Ladies, this dish is particularly recommended to women, due to the fact that it's said to be very good for our skin.
But know that this is only one extraordinary dish out of many. In short; every dish had a special touch of exclusivity that surely makes this place a safe bet for quality and modernity, which plays on the traditional.
With 96 seats in the main area and 58 additional seats in six private rooms, Wei Jing Ge has room for any company and any occasion.
Step into a lost world of luxury and let the chef take you on an unforgettable journey through Chinas delicacies.