It was my first time out on the Shanghai Cowgirl back patio, but I have a feeling the mosquitos had been waiting a long time for my arrival. It was like they'd starved themselves all day long just for a taste of my blood. I hope I'm not sounding pretentious, but just ask the bugs, I'm tasty. Anyway, this feast on me is no fault of the restaurant's at all, but it definitely didn't make my meal pleasant.
A couple of things that made the Queen West institution only a-okay for me and mes amis on this particular late night visit: 1. The server bursting the bubble that Shanghai Stout is anything special. "It's actually just made by [a local brewery] and rebranded as our own." She could've put a different spin on the drink that I had just ordered, but maybe it's just me. 2. Anticipation over the much hyped ghetto chicken was met with an "Oh, we're all out of that". However, my initially disappointed friend who went with the suggested alternative of chicken fried steak was left quite satisfied. 3. The mussels in wine broth were seriously puny.
The dining room has always been great when there are people abuzz. I should probably not complain while the patio is open and the weather is decent enough for us to sit outside though. I'll just have to suck it up.