We arrived without a reservation on a Saturday lunch date only to be informed that all the tables were occupied. So, we were asked to wait for around 30 to 45 minutes before finally getting a table.
Since the dining hall was full, the place was a bit busy and not enough waiters were available. The experience was similar to dining in a popular Cantonese restaurant but with a more refined, albeit simple, ambiance.
The presence of many foreigners in the room reminded me of another restaurant in Hong Kong that closed recently but was popular among expatriates – the American Restaurant (Peking Food).
https://joyposadaswrites.blogspot.com/2016/04/american-restaurant-peking-food-at.html
It was no surprise that the Shang Palace in Shangrila Hotel, Makati attracts a lot of diners because the dim sum buffet is an all-you-can-eat affair for only P1,094 net during Monday to Saturday lunch.
Diners choose from a menu of around 37 dishes including dessert plus each person is entitled to pick one main course from a list of 7 dishes.
We didn't get a chance to take many photos but this barbecued pie was among the top favorites. The dish is also on the brochure cover.
Dim sum
Steamed crystal skin shrimp dumplings
Steamed pork dumplings with fish roe
Spinach dumplings stuffed with shrimps
Steamed barbecue pork buns
Deep-fried spring rolls
Barbecued pork pie
Appetizer
Honey-glazed barbecue pork
Jelly fish and soy egg
Soup
Sweet corn soup with shredded chicken
Rice and Noodles
Yang Chow fried rice
Fujian stir-fried noodles
Main Course
Sauteed scallops with asparagus in XO sauce
Sauteed beef with celery in Sichuan sauce
Hot prawn salad
Dessert
Chilled mango puree with sago and diced mango
Almond soya jelly with lychee
Deep-fried stuffed sesame balls in lotus paste
Overall, the food was good but the ambiance and offerings can be improved. In other dim sum buffet lunches, drinks and/or house tea are provided.
Also, the managers tried to compensate for the lack of waiters. Nevertheless, there were some dishes that took time to arrive. This usually happens when the restaurant is full.
Of course, the servers were all friendly and tried their best to complete the service.
