Did take-away. Read the reviews and Zagat and it seems like it's the best Chinese in the area. I do hope to actually dine in soon.
Ordering was very easy, when I had questions about the food it was answered right away. It's not the cheapest Chinese food but it's because the quality is so much above the other little take out places.
I arrived 15 minutes later and my food was ready. I ordered a small wonton soup, moo shu chicken and vegetable steamed dumplings. Yes this was all for me I had a bad day at work didn't eat two meals and I'm pregnant.
When I went in the live Jazz music was playing, people were milling at the bar after a long work week. It was Friday around 7:45pm in Madison so not really surprising. The person who attended to me may have been an owner or manager that night. Dressed very nicely helped me out and made light conversation as if I was the only customer. It was very nice. I paid and headed back out to the front entrance which seems to be the back actually like most places on that side of Main St.
Got home and the food was still very warm.The portions were so perfect. Good sized meal and it was the best moo shu I ever had. The pancakes were really good and filling was very flavorful. The vegetable dumplings were also very good. More like what you get in China Town. Not sure if that is authentic but it is how I like them. Very good and I liked the dipping sauce. The wonton soup was also very good. Once again more like China Town. Flavorful broth and wonton filling. I very much liked the food.
I would suggest Shanghai Jazz and I will go again. Just word for the wise Friday nights are going to be busy. It's very close to the train station so easy for commuters to meet up after getting home. I don't mind it but if you do just keep this in mind.
Their dine in menu is more expensive, but there is live music which sounds like a great time.
I went there a few months back for the first time with my wife. The ownership was very nice, very accommodating to our requests to move tables. The atmosphere is exceptional and who wouldn't want to hear some nice jazz while eating.
The only drawback that really brings this place down in my eyes is the food. I'm not sure who they are trying to kid but its very pedestrian. It is no much different than your standard Chinese take out that populates nearly every town in this country. Â I'll eat it usually but these commoditized ingredients aren't justifying the prices they charge. I'd much rather pay a cover and receive more quality food. Â It hurts me to say this because I really wanted to like the place.
This restaurant is a pleasant surprise. It's Chinese food that should not be compared to your average takeout dive place that are fairly common. This is far more upscale, from the variety of the meal options to the soothing jazz music played by a live band in the background and the bill at the end of the night.. I came with a group and we simply asked that the waiter bring a variety of family style options to the table rather than sort through the menu. Everything was delicious including the soft shell crabs, firecracker beef and various dumplings. I must admit, this is probably the best dining experience in Madison, NJ when you want to step it up a notch. I'm not certain if the live band plays everyday or not, but I went on a Wednesday and the restaurant was full and the music was perfect. We didn't have reservations and were easily seated, but I can see how calling ahead would be a good idea on certain nights.
The service was perfect and the owner stopped by several times to check on our table and others with a great welcoming smile.
It even seems as though you can just sit at the bar and order a drink if you just wanted to enjoy the music and skip dinner.
Yay, I'm definitely a fan!
Came to this restaurant for the first time tonight to listen to our friend performing on the piano with his band. Â This is an Americanized Chinese restaurant, and so don't expect REAL Chinese food. Â The owners are very friendly, and the service is great. Â It is expensive, $25 minimum on Friday night, but the music itself is worth the price. Â Read several comments about people talking too loud...My son and I were lucky...we sat right next to the band, and so we could not be disturbed. Â Make sure you make reservation. Â No free refills on soda, which is my only complain.
Review Source:The food is a hit/miss, sometimes I've gotten dishes I really haven't liked, other times they have been pretty good. Prices are on the higher side, but considering there is no cover for the music, it is worth it.
Owners are great, my family has been coming for years and the owners are always out on the floor talking to people, making sure customers are happy.
The music is phenomenal. I have never seen a bad performance here, and the music has always made the experience worth it (even with the occasional mediocre dish).
My wife and I went to Shanghai Jazz the other night because a friend was performing. We had eaten there several times before but it must have been at least a year since our last visit. It seemed to both of us that the food had improved.
Our starters were steamed spring rolls and fried shrimp rolls. The spring rolls were tasty but we couldn't avoid destroying them as we tried to take them out of the steamer. The shrimp rolls were fine but nothing special.
However, the main courses were very good. My wife had skate wing, a special. This is an easy dish to get wrong, but hers was perfectly prepared. I had 3 chili chicken, which was prepared spicy as requested. The chicken was very moist and the flavor was not overwhelmed by the heat.
The service was friendly and correct, but the servers could have been more attentive. No reason to have to wait for refills on drinks and water (did I mention that the chicken was spicy?).
A comment about pricing: The entrees look expensive but the restaurant does not impose a music charge. If the owners took $10 off the cost of an entree and called it a cover charge I don't think anyone would complain and the final bill would be the same.
Ok so the music was nice - and the veggies were crisp and nicely done. But the scallops had absolutely ZERO taste and not very good texture, and the shrimp had clearly been frozen and thawed for prep. That's ok when the meal is $15, but at $23, not so much. Desserts ok but still frozen at the core. And the flatware had seen better days....don't think I'd go back, at least not at that price.
Review Source:Great music + yummy food + a good bar = fun times for everyone! What more could you ask for? A great place for a fun group night out. It was a bonus for me, especially since I was feeling under the weather that night, I could stay quiet and watch the band play. It's not an awkward silence, it's an appreciation of the music, haha.
Let's start with the food, which I would call a notch above your everyday Chinese fare--similar, but of a higher standard. We went for the dim sum appetizer for the whole table--highly recommended. They portion the amount of food on the appetizer based on the table size; how considerate! We gobbled it all up! Everyone was satisfied with the entrees, too, which came in generous serving sizes. In addition to the regular menu, they have a list of seasonal specials; the spicy chicken off the menu was excellent. The Beijing duck was prepared table side, an excellent and skilled rendition of a classic dish. Rice came in a big bowl for the table to share. We also went for the dessert sampler at the end. Couldn't resist it! That was some pretty rich chocolate mousse cake.
Now on to the bar: they have some pretty fun custom cocktails, in addition to a fully stocked bar of wine, beer, and premium spirits for after dinner. You won't go thirsty here!
As I said earlier, the ambiance is terrific. Yes, it'll get loud and lively, but you can still hold a conversation at the table. I'll note that there's no room for dancing, which may be a plus for some, a minus for others. The owner came out and chatted with us for a bit, told us the history of the place. The waiters were friendly and the food came out in due time. You can't go wrong at Shanghai Jazz.
I have been here 4 times in the last couple years, 3 of them with a bunch of friends and kids, and once with just my girls.
So the trick is to get reservations so you can sit on the floor and not by the bar. The music has always been the draw, but the service and food have been excellent each time. The owners are lovely, and somehow they manage to remember us even though we are not really regulars there.
My wife is a vegetarian and they have always accommodated her even with large crowds. Once we were a party of 15, and we left the entire meal to them. They brought out a mix of appetizers which were all amazing, and then a whole load of entrees - you need to remember that this is a Chinese restaurant, the dishes are all Chinese with some sushi thrown in. With the wine (they have a small selection but its all very good, I always get the Simi Cab), it was around $75 per head.
I love the place, its intimate and cozy. Ideal for a cold winter night, and with the music, the service and the comforting food, we have always left very satisfied.
Wow, this place is pretty great! Â Who knew you could find a jazz club in Madison, NJ? Â We went to the early seating on Saturday night and heard Steve Turre on the trombone and conch shells, which was amazing. Â For dinner we shared Firecracker Beef, shrimp and asparagus, sesame chicken and Beijing Duck. Â All were good, but the duck (prepared table side) was excellent. There were several nice wines available by the glass and six beers on tap, including a Paulaner Hefeweissen. Â The ladies enjoyed the sparkling Scharfenberger. The brownie sundae and the profiterole martini were good finishers.
Review Source:HORRIBLE!!! Â Below average take-out quality Chinese food at fine dining prices! Do NOT waste your money. Â For what you'll pay here there are HUNDREDS of high quality food, beautiful fine dining restaurants that you can go to. Â $20 for an appetizer portion of Pad Thai trying to pass itself off as an entree??? Â $19 for "Korean Beef" which wasn't Korean at all but your average Mongolian beef that you'll find on almost every Chinese takeout menu, smothered in scallions with a few thin, small pieces of low quality beef. Â Over cooked and mushy dim sum. Â Atmosphere and music are great qualities but this is a RESTAURANT after all and the star of the show should be the FOOD! Oh so awful! Â I've been to takeout Chinese restaurants in midtown manhattan that look like holes in the wall which have served me far superior food for one tenth the price! Â If u want to spend that money do yourselves a favor and go somewhere WORTH it!
Review Source:Cute little place. We didnt order the chinese food but it really did look amazing, something unique! The owners were really nice... i think this is the first Chinese restaurant ive seen where the owners speak amazing English and were so welcoming! The jazz band was really fun !
Bar experience- not so great. Our server was too busy helping other people. We orderd the volcano drink- a whopping $21.70 ( with tax!!) .. granted it was for two people, but that drink was SO WEAK. I wish i had been a cheapskate and gotten something smaller, cheaper, and just sat by the bar and enjoyed the jazz!
Not a bad place, i hope to return for some food... hopefully it tastes as good as it looks ;)
Good experience, food and service was excellent. The Jazz could not be enjoyed. The audience had no regard for the artists, being much too loud and talkative during the performance. I could not fully enjoy it and will reconsider a return visit. Management did not make any effort in controlling the noise level.
Review Source:I have been here both for dinner and just for drinks. I love the atmosphere here and they always have great music. I also have to mention the fantastic service we recieve every time we walk through the door.
You won't be dissapointed with your entree, but if you're expecting something "out of this world" look again. When you boil it down, you're just getting chinese food that is plated well. Also, they expect a minimum from all their guests to pay, $25/person at a table and a 2 drink minimum at the bar. This must have to do with the fact that there is never a cover and they always have great musicians playing.
Plan to go here for a special occasion for their atmonphere and service, they will no doubt make you fee special. Food is expensive and you're not getting anything extraordinary.
the owners are friendly and ready to greet and seat you. personalities of the two are extremely pleasant and theres much interaction with the customers from the two. all of the staff on every occasion has gone without a complaint. the entertainment is always very good. the pricing is not as high as you would expect and the food is very good. i have been here on several different occasions and each and every one allows me to return. great atmosphere, great service and doesnt break the bank.
Review Source:I've been to Shanghai Jazz a couple of times and it has been a great experience every time!
The last time I came here with the family they had an Oscar winning pianist perform at the restaurant. The food was excellent as well. It was an amazing time!!
The owners David and Martha really take the time to make sure the guests eating here are 100% satisfied=)
I can't wait till I have the chance to eat here again!
Nice looking place. They pull in great musicians, and the staff is extremely friendly. One of the employees noticed I was taking notes during the performance for a college course, and came back at the end of the set to see if I needed any more information.
Unfortunately, the food is bland and portions are pretty meager compared to the cost. I'd recommend it for the music, not the food.
The music is wonderful, as is the service, ambience, owners & presentation of the food. Â But wish the food were better. Â Everything is presented well but has the same sweet sauce, whatever the description, almost a polanesian flavor. Â I got seafood w/a spicy garlic sauce and my friend ordered scallops w/orange sauce. Â A few pieces of orange rind differentiated the sauces and I had to ask for chili sauce to even have a little hot flavor. Â They are packed so do not need to upgrade the food. Â The $35 minimum on Saturday for mediocre food is distressing, almost would prefer just a $35 cover charge. Â A lot of people seem to talk over the music so my guess is that most just like to say they came for the music. Â Not a dining destination.
Review Source:Chinese food AND Jazz?! Yep, folks, you heard it right! This is the best place for lunch AND dinner. Â I used to work around the area and they would get us in and out under an hour (no jazz at lunch). Â At night, this place comes alive with the sound of sax. It's truly amazing. Â The portions are large and food is authentic from what I can tell. Â Check it out for sure!
Review Source:Shanghai Jazz is one of my favorite places in NJ. Of course, if you don't like superlative Chinese food and top-notch Jazz, you might be better off at Friendly's.
Hosts David and Martha make you feel like you are in their living room, which just happens to feature the aforementioned  excellent food and music.  Reservations a good idea, check their website (just google shanghai jazz) for artists and descriptions of seatings (usually 2 a night). A personal favorite is the Firecracker Beef with a Bombay Sapphire martini.
Can't say enough good things. Â Music and atmosphere are tops. Â You just can't get this experience in NJ except here. Â David and Martha, actually all the staff, are very good, they make you feel at home and go out of their way to accommodate you. Â Food is excellent (maybe every dish isn't 5 stars, but for me it's the total experience that matters)... anyway it's one of my favorites.
Review Source:Let's start by saying I love Shanghai Jazz club. Â
Normally, Chinese food does not do it for me. Â I only crave it on rare occasions. Â The food here doesn't taste like you are eating MSG laden crap, which has it's pros and cons. Â Meals, despite many being deep fried, taste fresh and feel like somewhat "healthier" interpretations of Asian food favorites. Â However, MSG can make food taste so much better (cough cough McDonald's). Â It is nice to walk out of Shanghai Jazz Club content, free of stomach pains, and not feel ravenous 30 minutes later. Â What a concept.
The decent food coupled with great live artists in an inviting atmosphere make for an outstanding experience. Â I recommend sitting at the bar where you can order dinner and have a perfect view of performers.
Always get the fried rice with your dinner. Â It's the best I've ever had. Â And the Red Velvet cake is simply scrumptious!
Service is great and the owner is beyond charming.
oh god, awful chinese food. this was like takeout restaurant food put in a nice setting with nice servers. unfortunately, the plates were plastic and the chopsticks were the disposable wooden kind- all takeout restaurant quality. average general tso's chicken for 18$? god no. jazz was nice and service was great, which is why it's 2 stars instead of 1. but chinese food was disappointingly bad.
Review Source:I have no idea why this place has such a high rating. This is a restaurant/ bar with live jazz. On the entertainment level it's a 5 but the restaurant level its a 2. Don't listen to these loonies giving it a 4 or 5 for an overall rating.
Don't get me wrong the place is nice, the JAZZ here is EXCELLENT (we had Freddy Cole sing the night we went), has friendly owners but the food was so under par. Basically it was "American Chinese food TRYING to be authentic Chinese food" - and that does not cut it for me.
The desserts at least were good. Probably the best part of the entire meal.
They do sell Tsingtao which is a plus considering I just got back from the real Shanghai three weeks prior.
Lastly, make sure you check if they charge a cover per person the night you go and MAKE RESERVATIONS.
I was looking for thai and found this. not the place for thai. but the chinese is really good especially since i expected otherwise (not a chinese restaurant setting). Â The lunch box was great especially for the price. Not my style of music or setting; but I could see how people would appreciate the jazz theme, especially for lunch. Â Its deserving of the four stars
Review Source:My husband took me here for my birthday. Â Two very different ambiances set in one huge dining room. Â Very good chinese food. Â Very good service. Â I normally prefer jazz bands as opposed to a 2-person harmonica and piano set, but they were relatively entertaining. Â I definitely look forward to go back.
Review Source:After a very quick baptism class (if you can believe that) we found ourselves with a baby sitter and no dinner plans. Wifey said she wanted Chinese and I thought back to a place I had been the many, many years ago when I was working in Short Hills. That's right, Shanghai Jazz.
We were pleasantly surprised to see the place almost full at 8pm on Sunday night.
We shared delish wonton soup, my wife had General Tso's chix and I had Peking/Bejing duck. Soooo good!! We also shared a combo fried rice that was seriously the best fried rice I have had in many years.
Jazz was great and perfect for a casual date. We will be back very soon....
While this venue gets GREAT jazz talent, the patrons there are very loud and interfere with the other patron's enjoyment of the music. In addition, the owner doesn't ask for quiet during the music as most New York jazz club MCs do. Just a simple announcement would do. We've only been there on Saturday nights --the only time we can go--and are constantly awed by the music acts and appalled by the talking, laughing etc that goes on while the musicians are playing. I feel as though since I paid good money to see and listen to the jazz, I should be able to hear it.
Review Source:It was very good the time I went there. Should go more, but it's a little on the spendy side.
There are usually 2 seatings a night at least on the weekends. I guess you could feel rushed if you're in the first seating. The jazz was excellent, a lot of "older" jazz musicians, at least when I was there.
It's great to have a place in the area that has this, though.
The place is usually packed, people obviously like this place. Â I do love the fact that they try and they actually do have live music, I just wish the place was bigger so the jazz could be more varied. Â I was there recently and a woman by the name of Nikki Parrot was performing and it was a really great performance. Â You just never know who you might find performing there. Â
The last few times we were seated promptly. Â The owner is usually there and he seems to be a very nice guy. Â He's very friendly you makes you feel like he is welcoming you into his home. Â The decor could use some updating, but I like the low light and candles. Â
The service for the most part is good, I think it is better now than it used to be. Â Our server was very nice, attentive and helpful when we had questions about the various dishes. Â
I used to not like SJ as much as I do now. Â At this point, I could go here most weekends and enjoy myself. Â I forgot to mention, the food is very good too.
The food and entertainment were great here. They have a bar so you can have a drink while you wait for your table. The only thing that happened that tarnished our experience was that they charged our credit card twice, once while we were there and once the next day, so we had to dispute it with the credit card company. If you pay with a credit card, just log in and watch your account for a couple days. I'm not sure if it is a habit there or just one crafty waitperson.
Review Source:I'm not sure why I don't go here more. Â I should. Â It's got very good chinese food and live jazz music.
Besides Main Streets and their occasional live bands, Shanghai Jazz is pretty much the only place I can think of in Madison with live music. Â Unlike the bands at Main Streets, however, many of the acts at Shanghai Jazz are interesting and listenable!
A great place to go!
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