Shanghai River Restaurant
Longtime River Oaks favorite for white tablecloth dining and authentic Chinese flavors.
(713) 528-5528
2407 Westheimer Rd
(at Revere Street)
Houston,
TX
77098
29.742416
-95.41648
Neighborhoods: Central, Afton Oaks/ River Oaks
Hours:
Sun-Thu 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Price:
$
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About Shanghai River Restaurant
The Owner
Shanghai River Restaurant
Owner
Since the opening of their first restaurant in Houston, Texas in 1970, the Wang family has consistently served first-rate Hunan and Szechuan cuisine from their homemade recipes. The atmosphere is understated elegance with crisp white linens and candlelight against the background of gleaming walnut paneling, beveled mirrors and crystal chandeliers. Antique Chinese screens and paintings adorn the walls. A secluded intimate bar for cocktails and dining is set aside, as well as a wine room overlooking the main dining room. Catering available.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
The Wang family has been serving authentic Hunan and Szechuan dishes to Houstonians for more than 30 years. The candlelight illuminates the upscale decor and beautifully lavish Chinese paintings, adding to the intimate atmosphere. Savor a predinner cocktail at the cozy, walnut-paneled bar which is ideal for dinner for one. Menu favorites include the crispy Peking duck prepared tableside as well as the order-ahead ginger steamed fish. Spice can be adjusted according to your palate.
User Reviews
ADSpreeman
April 28, 2009
The food was not bad, but it was not the best either. Ming's restraurant was a lot better than this. I had asked the server for sesame chicken with noodles instead of fried rice. She said, "I'm sorry, but we do not allow that." I said, "Why?" She repled, "We just don't." That made me angry, but I was hungry, so I figured I would just eat what I could. There was no way for me to even get noodles on the side! The noodles they make have shrimp, beef, and chicken in it. It was good, but it frustrated me that I could not just have prepared noodles with my sesame chicken. I won't go there again.
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imajin8
February 16, 2009
In the endless pursuit to find the best chinese food delivery we decided to try Shanghai river, which I hadn't tried in a couple of years. It's more expensive than Auntie Chang's. But then again, A. Chang's has started halving the size of their portions and using lots of cheap fill ingredients. So, here was the order: hot & sour soup, spring rolls, moo goo gai pan, spicy fried tofu and veggies, and spicy walnut chicken w/ brown rice. Overall, the food arrived hot and promptly. I don't know if it was an off night for the chef - but it was all incredibly bland. Off to a bad start with the soup - it was neither appropriately spicy or sour, and seemed mostly to be bamboo shoots and eggs without all of those luscious exotic mushrooms or flavor I could get at PF changes. The spring rolls were better - large and filled with meat, but again pretty bland. The entrees were better (even if the spicy ones had no spice). They were all filled with luscious real chinese vegetables - baby corn, straw and shitake mushrooms, huge chunks of fresh bamboo... Still because of the blandness of the sauce I ended up soaking them in soy sauce and hot mustard to gain a bit of flavor. They charged extra for the brown rice which wasn't particularly cooked through all the way. The saving grace, was the Walnut Chicken which actually managed to have at least a bit of zing to it and great ingredients. But, I could have paid less and gotten a better meal by just picking up food at PF Chang's (gee, I wish they had delivery). Anyway, I think it'll be another year or so before I give this place a try again. But, if you like bland vs. spicy it might not be a bad option for you.
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missarugula
January 19, 2009
I cannot believe that anyone would rate this place highly, much less return after one visit. Although it was nearly empty at 7 pm on a Thursday night, there was no one at the hostess stand when we arrived so we loitered about and then finally ended up sitting at a table on our own. I ordered their steamed chicken with vegetables and special sauce. All I received was vegetables - no chicken or special sauce. My vegetables had been steamed so hard that they were literally slimy and brown. My boyfriend had their tofu/vegetable dish which was so awful that he only ate half of it (and that NEVER happens!). And to top it off, this place ain't cheap. For the food mentioned above plus 2 small cups of soup and 1 house wine and 1 beer, our bill was $50 (before tax and tip). I don't care if Marvin Zindler loved this place before he died, Shanghai River is not somewhere I will ever return.
read full reviewThe Details on Shanghai River Restaurant
The Extras:
The restaurant offers a full service bar, a private party room and delivery and catering services.
Category:
Chinese, Catering, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar
Cuisine:
Message from Shanghai River Restaurant
- Delivery available
- Nine Marvin Zindler Awards
- Zagat-best meal deals
Since the opening of their first restaurant in Houston, Texas in 1970, the Wang family has consistently served first-rate Hunan and Szechuan cuisine from their homemade recipes. The atmosphere is understated elegance with crisp white linens and candlelight against the background of gleaming walnut paneling, beveled mirrors and crystal chandeliers. Antique Chinese screens and paintings adorn the walls. A secluded intimate bar for cocktails and dining is set aside, as well as a wine room overlooking the main dining room. Catering available.
