01/06/2026
Miss Table Napkin here đĽ˘
We had a late lunch at **Modern Shanghai** around 3 PM, so naturally, we expected a more relaxed and attentive dining experience. Surprisingly, there were only about three or four occupied tables including ours, yet the service was easily the most disappointing part of the visit.
For our meal, we ordered the Chicken Feet, Xiao Long Bao, Emperor's Feast, and Tea-Smoked Roast Crispy Pork. The food was decent enoughânothing particularly memorable, but nothing offensive either. The chicken feet were tender, the xiao long bao delivered the expected burst of broth, and the roast chicken had a nice crisp skin. Overall, the dishes were okay, but not outstanding enough to justify a return visit on food alone.
What really brought the experience down was the service. Orders, requests, and basic table attention felt frustratingly slow despite the restaurant being far from busy. For a restaurant under The Bistro Group, thereâs a certain level of hospitality and professionalism you expect, and unfortunately, this visit fell well below that standard.
It's disappointing when a restaurant has every opportunity to provide excellent serviceâfew diners, plenty of staff, and a reputable brand behind itâbut still misses the mark. Even more disappointing is that the food wasn't strong enough to make up for the experience.
Unfortunately, this was one of those meals where the service is what you'll remember mostâand not in a good way.