I have gone to T8 several times and each time there its been a different experience.  The last time (Oct. 31) the food was great, it was perfectly prepared and fresh.  The flavors were highlighted beautifully, and each dish had a unique flavor profile.  It was a food-gasm.

I think this happy surprise was because of the food we ordered, honestly in the past the food at T8 never tasted as nice.  It was always just "over-rated" and not worth the hype.  The fish dishes were perfectly cooked and of high quality as well as tasting "special".  The caramelized salmon with ginger, noodles, parsley and roe was divine.  And the black cod with truffles and truffle oil was just as tasty.  The chocolate addiction platter had some great desserts - the thick chocolate cake and a frozen mouse, but had some misses.  I wish the lava cake had more "lava" - there was no liquid! The liquid is my favorite bit!  In the past, I have ordered meat dishes as well as several dishes I don't remember (which I guess doesn't say too much about them).  They have tasted rather bland and mediocre, as if T8 let their reputation get to them and became so arrogant to let them slip.  The meat pies at Shanghai Pie Company could compete with T8's meat pie at 1/50 of the cost.  Sometimes their bread is a bit stale (like the last time I was there) sometimes it is heaven in a little black pod-cup.

The Good: When the food is made right, its a food-gasm.  The ambiance and atmosphere is worth going for just for that.  Its nice enough that I wouldn't mind being feed a Cup 'o Noodles just to sit in there.  Maybe I am just shallow.  Seriously though, the interior is one of, if not the, best interior in Shanghai.

The Bad: Sometimes the food is only okay - which is an issue for the amount it costs.  Also the service is rather dreadful.  Once again I had to wait far too long for my check. And the staff can be rude, aloof and not really quick or willing to serve.  They also messed up my reservation.

The Ugly: ... there are no real vegetarian choices.  I stopp ed eating meat, only fish occasionally, so that was rather scary.  I think there were maybe only three on the menu?

So...**** out of ***** stars.



The Inside:


FISH! I want one of these for my future appartment:


Us infront of the bar.  Dark on purpose:


The yummy and happy bread:


The carmalized salmon:


Black cod with truffle risoto and truffle oil:


Chocolate addiction platter:


The pictures are bad quality and blurry.  Sorry.  But at least there are pictures, yeah?

- Chrissy