The COOK

After countless visits to this place, I am disappointed with a steady decrease in quality of food and especially the service. The waiting staff were somewhat rude to cater to extra request, or even to go an extra mile to give service to customers. I was told off not to sit in the restaurant area because the place was for brunch guests (which I could not see any in view, restaurant was practically still empty), when I wanted to order lunch off a la cart menu.

I stopped going there ever since. The laksa from Bakers & Spice across the hotel is as good, with much better service and ambience.

http://www.cookingetcetera.com/2011/12/cook-sunday-brunch/

We're not sure about other people, but for us, a good sunday brunch buffet is pretty much like this. Great selection of fresh seafood --- btw, the fresh oysters are yummy! they're oz --- check out the selection of dips they have there. Attentive staff to quickly refill the empty champagne glasses, which went down pretty quickly I must say. Noodle station with selections of sambal + the hard-to-find jeruk limo to go with the sambal, which is important for me. And the whole area, not just a section, for desserts - bakery, cocktail stations, cheese room and coffee bar. If only I can station my bed and live there.

Did the The Cook last night. The highlight as usual were the chicken wings. I am going out on a limb here and saying they are the best in Shanghai. The curry laksa was also great, but at nearly ten bucks US is damn well better be. The service was a little off though (hence the three stars). We wanted to sit outside and though there were tables we were told it was closed. We were given three different reasons why that was so from three different people. Regardless, I'd go back for the wings.

Although we tried many different dishes, our 2nd visit was not much different from our 1st. Quality is average and the flocking table-busers are in need of etiquette. In short, this place is an extremely overpriced buffet sporting a designer nameplate.

Dinner for 3. Nothing spectacular. The sushi platter was awful - stocked w/ odd-looking and chewy fish which clung to more skin and scale than should ever be present on a roll. Off-putting, even for presentation. The noodle dish was nice and the meat dishes were fair, but the meats - in cut and taste - no better than what one could expect anywhere decent. Some of the desserts were cheap imitations of the real.

The place filled up while we were there and the atmosphere became cramped, competitive, and chaotic as patrons and servers seemed almost equal in numbers.

Overall, I'd say this place is middle of the road, but, considering it's a Shangri-La joint - and priced as such - it's a poor value. As the place has just opened, I'll give it another try. 2.5 stars.

Went for lunch and it was really tops. Loads of stations to choose from - pasta station, burgers, some Italian-ish dishes, noodles, satay, duck, etc. Everything is a la carte -- you get a card, look at the menu prices, swipe, and pay when you're done. Enjoyed really tender, wonderfully sauteed asparagus and a nice salad with mesclun, carrots, cucumber, parmesan and roasted red peppers and mushrooms. The ice cream bar is a must-visit; at least 8 flavors and toppings include m&m's, mini shortbread cookies and tiny crunchy chocolate balls.