To complete my Michelin challenge, I visited again Lei Garden in Shanghai, this time the branch in IAPM mall that was awarded a star in the 2019 edition of the Shanghai Michelin Guide. (You can read a more extensive review of Lei Garden in Shanghai from my visit at the IFC location.)
The visit
I went to Lei Garden (IAPM) on a Saturday evening. It was a quiet night, not much business in the restaurants. Without a reservation, the receptionist found a table for me instantly.
The restaurant is a bit smaller than the one at IFC Pudong. The main dining room is decorated with an dome resembling a tree embracing the whole room and a piece of rock art.
The table was decorated with a not perfectly achieved swan-shaped napkin.
I ordered the crispy roasted pork that was sold out in my previous visit. I liked it, but the skin was a little too hard.
Then I had their braised chicken with clack bean and shallot (plus some ginger, garlic, and capsicum). It was quite good, the chicken pieces were reasonably meaty. It was a large portion (250 grams of chicken according to the menu).
As a side dish, I had pickled mushrooms in a vinaigrette sauce. Quite forgettable.
The check
The relatively light dinner cost me 359 RMB (52 USD).
With this meal I think I am done with Lei Garden. During my two visits I did not experience any dish that would motivate me to come back, even if it is an impeccable restaurant in terms of service and food quality.
Where in Shanghai:
IAPM Mall, 4/F, 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu (Middle Road)
In Chinese: 淮海中路999号4楼.
Nearest metro station: South Shaanxi Road.