Hengshan Cafe > Hengshan Lu

Always wanted to visit this bustling place and finally did. Not cheap, but not expensive. Lots of good appetizer, soup, and seafood options. Service was fine. Food was good. Atmosphere pleasant, though perhaps because it was less busy than usual (?). Try to get a window seat upstairs. Low overall ratings on this place seem to come from one customer who has very strong negatively feelings, but oddly went back. In any event, I think it's worth a try.

sanitation issues....
I came in tonight to order some take away food from the BBQ counter. Looking through the glass window one of the Chinese 2 guys, wearing very clean white hats....was cleaing his ear with his nail, so nice...the fact they dont use gloves, which makes me throw up already, when they cut duck, pork and goose, made me leave immediately, DISGUSTING, again....

Wow, did not expect to see poor reviews for this place. I would give this place 3.5 stars. This is one of the few establishments I've regularly visited for a few years now, which is quite remarkable for Shanghai. Seriously, there are Chinese restaurants abound in this area but very few that offer consistently good food across the menu at reasonable prices, raise little concern for sanitation issues and are open late-night. Also, this place is great for the individual diner -- ask for their "tea menu"; it has a nice selection of rices, noodles, porridges, etc. that can make a meal in themselves.

Went here because we heard it had great Cantonese food for Shanghai. Pretty well disappointed. The food was well short of great, good doesn't cut it at these prices. As well, the dining room was load, flood lit, and sterile (ok - that is usually a good thing, but I don't mean it that way). I'd pass on this location.

Before they rebuild the place it was never a cosy dining spot, but now, downstairs 2 times bigger, with a new and obvious helpless staff, it is big, loud shouting and anonymous like many other Shanghai joints. The food is ok, as ever, comfort food which will never dissapoint your date or gf.

The guys bringing in plates with their dirty nails over the edge of the plates is still a problem and probably will never change....

This is an adorable place if you need a quick bite. I really can only comment on a few of the smaller items. They make a decent 1000 year old egg congee and wonton noodle soup for those craving these treats.

BEWARE!!!!! We had a group of 30 go in for dinner and because my friends didn't speak too much Chinese, they up sized the portions (even though no one gave them they ok) and then tried to charge us DOUBLE for everything. The bill came out to be 6500!!! We even confronted them about it! The most we were expecting the bill to be was 4000. We were ready to settle for 5000 but they kept insisting 5500. We gave them 5000 rmb and proceeded to walk out as the manager was being unreasonable and wouldn't even call the owner for us. On the way out of the restaurant I was grabbed and shoved from behind. They tried to stop all the 30 ppl from leaving and tried to stop all taxis on Yan'an Lu. Finally 6 of my male friends stayed until the police got there, the staff of about 30 (because the kitchen staff came out now) tried to tackle all 6 to the ground. At one point even kicking my friend in the face and stomach.

Anyways, totally unacceptable!! The food wasn't even anything to rave about. Really sad to have a place that has 4 location do this.

BEWARE!!!!!!

##Where You Eat

**Name: Jenevieve Chang
**Profession: Co-founder of Fifth Wall Performance (Shanghai)

**Hengshan Café** is a favorite haunt of mine. Its décor is both comfy and luxe without being pretentious. It's also one of the only non-coffee chain places which does soy milk coffee and smoothies--my favorite is the key lime pie which is this great lime and honey combination. On the way home from a night out, you'll often find me in [Charmant](http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/listings/dining/taiwan/has/charmant/). They're open till 4am and serve dishes my mother used to make--perfect for sponging up a night of excess.