Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Entrance

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week Spring Winners Edition 2017 – Shanghai, China

Acqua Italian Restaurant was awarded the Best Service for China Restaurant Week Spring 2017 edition. I was skeptical about how outstanding the service could be so I thought I should check it out.

Upon arrival at the Acqua Italian Restaurant, I was greeted by the service crew at the entrance and quickly showed me the way to my seat by the window. As there were steps, very tentatively, I was cautioned.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Interior, another view

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Interior

Interior was dim with modern design. Tables were spaced with a good distance and a number of dinning tables were beside a full glass window though not much of a view since the restaurant is located on the second floor.

Once at the table, swiftly, the service crew introduced the menu and next placed a cushion for my back. Then took the order and soon after food was served. Before serving the next dish, the service crew will ask if they can get the kitchen to fire the dish or should they wait.

The China Restaurant Week Spring Winners’ Edition 2017 at Acqua Italian Restaurant is priced at RMB 278 per person. The restaurant offered a 5-course set dinner.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Complimentary Bread

Complimentary Bread of 5 types were on the tray. My fave was the olive bread. Dipping them into the superior Olive Oil was heavenly.

Offering 2 selections of appetiser. First was the Eggplant Parmiggiana in a Jar and next was my choice appetiser, Warm Prawn Salad balsamic, caramelized red onion and basil. Appetiser was appealing to my taste bud. First prawn was a little over-cooked and the overall flavour was dominated by tomato flavour both the fresh and the bread.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Warm Prawn Salad balsamic, caramelized red onion and basil

Asparagus Cream was the only soup. I was glad that cream was light, only sufficient to flavour and smoothen the texture. Adding walnut bites and crouton offered additional texture.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Asparagus Cream

Next was the Homemade Ravioli with buffalo mozzarella, spicy cherry tomato sauce. The pasta wrap was al dente and I love the combination of the cheese in the ravioli. Though tomato sauce may be the lightest so as to contrast the rich filling, I thought it was a little boring. It may be a good idea to have it with some other sauce such as Brown butter sauce or Mushroom sauce.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Homemade Ravioli with buffalo mozzarella, spicy cherry tomato sauce

2 dishes for selection at Mains was available. First was the Halibut spinach veloute, roast red peppers and raisin. I chose the Lamb Loin with herbs, eggplant and basil puree, balsamic sauce as my Main with medium rare doneness. When served, I was shocked at the portion size, it was relatively huge since there was 5 courses. Lamb loin was tender. Sufficient pepper and salt were added while grilling.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Lamb Loin with herbs, eggplant and basil puree, balsamic sauce

Finally, the Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse was the dessert. I was glad that the dessert was cloying sweet since white chocolate was used. But a pity the strawberry jelly in the centre was not prominent. As such, flavour was quite flat.

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse

Acqua Italian Restaurant At Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Best Service Recipient For China Restaurant Week 2017 Winner Edition - Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Interior

While settling the payment, the service crew took the initiative to ask if I need the government official invoice and complimentary parking coupon. This was not observed at most restaurants.

NAHMJ Verdict

Final thoughts, food served at Acqua Italian Restaurant may not be top-notch, but service is certainly impressive. However, I thought there are still room for improvement for their services.

First, though they have asked for feedback about their food at most table, strangely, the question wasn’t directed to me. Next, they could have offered to hang my coat. Lastly, they could have also check if I needed additional cushion for my back.

Acqua Italian Restaurant

2/F, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, No.1288 Lujiazui Huan Lu, Near Dongyuan Lu, Pudong District
浦东新区陆家嘴环路1288号上海凯宾斯基大酒店2楼(近东园路)

Tel: +86 21 3867 9192

Websitehttps://www.kempinski.com/en/shanghai/grand-kempinski-hotel-shanghai/dining/restaurants/aqua/

Opening Hours

Daily  1130 to 1430, 1800 to 2230

Getting There

By Subway:

Line 2 – Lujiazui station  陆家嘴站

Rating: 7/10