Location:
100 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 966-3988
The true of the matter is that sometimes it's nice when a guide book does not expose my favorite places. It's kinda nice knowing that people that read articles on this site will benefit from some local knowledge while the masses miss some the best kept secrets..
Shanghai Cafe is an example of one of these local best kept secrets. This restaurant is best known for their Shanghai soup dumplings, an art in this society. Deep rooted in tradition, you are supposed to be able to tell family lineage from the crimping at the top of the dumpling dating back 100's of years to specific cities in China. I can't really speak to where the owners came from but I can tell you of all the restaurants like this one, I find their dumplings to be the most plump and filled with soup of any around. GO HERE! Tell them Newyorkian.com sent you...
There is one more word of advice, Zagat's references Joe's Shanghai and for this Joe's receives a lot of business. I have dinned at Joe's and a couple times and though it is satisfactory, it lacks heart, something that left with servicing too many for too long. For the service they provided I feel you get a better product at Shanghai Cafe with the same approximate service level (maybe a little better)...
Here is exactly what you do:
Put your name in at the door Sit down - these guys move fast and mean business Order 3 racks of soup dumplings
(or approximately 1 more rack then you expect to eat, additional racks take time to deliver and you don't want to do this unless they are not busy which is usually never) There is a $4.50/pp min. charge so EAT This makes me laugh because the cost to quality to experience ratio is so out of balance in the customer's favor a mere 4.50 is a bargin Generally you can get seating for 5+ parties
You are already on Mott so you are close to so many other fun Chinatown locations
Finish eating and get out there!!!!
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