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| - It's always gratifying to have your expectations exceeded, especially when those expectations are already high. I had run across recommendations for ShinBay on a number of different sites and has for some time now been on my top 10 must-try list. No need to read through the rest of this review. Take the time out of your schedule and give ShinBay a shot.
I took a date to ShinBay over this past weekend for a special occasion. I specified a few details in my Open Table reservation, including a wish for flowers, along with a couple of food requests. While the food requests should be pretty normal for restaurant of this caliber, I was pleasantly surprised that they had purchased a dozen roses for my date, waiting at the table when we arrived!
So I could pretty much write a novel on the food, considering the level of detail that went into the seven-course tasting menu. It felt like much more than seven courses - Some of the dishes included more multiple parts, including the six-components of the second course and the array of nigiri laid out during the sixth course. Highlights of the meal included the savory and sweet foi gras (third course) and the very delicate and surprisingly lightly fried and battered colossal shrimp (fourth course). The sashimi as the first course, clams as the fifth course and the custard desert were all very special and came in as close contenders to my favorites.
Upon departing, the staff wrapped up the flowers to go and also provided an amazingly detailed hand-written note on the different courses from the night. I can only hope that the standard dining experience, sans tasting menu, is just as special as what I experienced. ShinBay comes with my highest recommendation.
[This review is based on my visit on July 27, 2013]
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