Classics are just delicious

On a holiday, my wife and I went out to eat something good again! This meal was at a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant where their classic signature dishes are incredibly authentic. That night, we went to Summer Palace at the Island Shangri-La Hotel, where they recently launched a selected set menu. The decor is quite classic with a combination of red and gold, plus the high ceilings and crystal chandeliers really give it a grand atmosphere. As soon as we sat down, the waiter served a welcome drink of rose tea! The fragrant rose flavor was very refreshing, and my wife loved it. We ordered the 4-person selected set menu with service charge for $4048, and it even came with a bottle of red wine! The red wine was smooth and fruity, perfect to pair with the richer flavors of Chinese dishes. First to arrive was the appetizer platter, which I heard features three popular starters from the restaurant. The crispy roasted pork belly really had crispy skin and tender meat, with layers of meat that were very satisfying to eat. Next was the Jinggangshan tofu skin, which is apparently famous. It was juicy and flavorful with a spicy kick, truly delicious. Lastly, there was the braised mixed mushroom and taro puff in sauce! The taro puff was fried to a perfect crisp without being oily, and the mixed mushrooms cooked in the braised sauce were full of flavor. Topped with black fish roe, it was even more appetizing. Don’t stop the tasty bites! Next up was the truffle sauce prawn toast, with big fresh prawns resting on crispy toast. The earthy mushroom flavor from the black truffle sauce left a lingering fragrance after eating. The bone-flavored perilla ginger rice turbot ball looked incredibly appealing! The turbot meat was shredded and stir-fried into balls that were super convenient to eat, tender, and tasty. The leftover fish bones were fried by the chef until fragrant and crispy—so good you could even swallow the bones. This meal included a whole Peking duck! It was roasted and carved fresh and hot right in front of the guests. The server carved two plates full of crispy skin and meat. Wrapped in soft pancakes with the essential condiments and sauce, it was perfectly harmonious in flavor. After eating so many indulgent dishes, this plate of pine nut vegetarian mince was just right! It contained lots of finely chopped water chestnuts, asparagus, carrots, and mushroom bits, served with super crispy lettuce for a sweet, juicy, and healthy bite. Finally, there was the preserved vegetable and roasted duck shredded Zhuxing noodles to guarantee you leave full! The Zhuxing noodles were super springy and bouncy without any alkaline taste. Combined with the flavorful preserved vegetables and tender shredded duck, it was incredibly delicious. The meal also included mango sago pomelo for dessert! The ingredients were generous with just the right sweetness and fruity flavor—really tasty. My wife had a sore throat that day! A friend recommended the turtle jelly here, so I immediately ordered one for her to try. It was very sweet and fragrant, tasting like real ingredients. Although it cost $160, I think it was worth it.