I dont usually stray so far as the cool docks but last week i was persuaded to by friends for a dinner at Table No. 1 in the Waterhouse Hotel. Table No. 1 is actually a gem of a restaurant, and i feel its location is wasted being so far out in the Cool docks - a space on the Bund or in the French concession would no doubt give it the great success it deserves.

The restaurant is a great place for any kind of dinner. The service is so friendly and warm with not only the waitress politely chatting to you while you wait for your friends, but also the manager will come by and chat too. Conversation will not only be about the food and the best wine, but will also be gentle small talk on Shanghai and why women are always late for a date. You couldn't ask for more friendly service.

Most of the food is delicious. Highlights are the all the sea food, especially the melt-in-your mouth scallops as a starter. Also the sea bream is something quite lovely and deserves to chosen as a main over all the overs. Sadly the meat dishes are a little bland and in small portions, but they still have good quality.

The desserts are really where Table No. 1 shines, in particular the delectable peanut and banana bread with nougat ice cream. I swear i will come back to this place just for desserts, they are that good.

Overall the price is fair, our dinner ended up being a 350RMB each for a 3 course and 1 / 2 drinks each. For the quality of the food, service and ambience you are getting this is certainly value for money and much more preferable to other Bund restaurants; El Willy, Bocca, M on the Bund I'm looking at you...

This place is amazing... set in a fabulous hotel with modern industrial interiors. Its an impressive yet down to earth place to take guests - especially as there is also a rooftop bar. I have been here many times now and the service and food is super consistent.

The food is hearty and flavorful - western - really delicious and a great choice of wine too.

the service is impeccable - super attentive staff who will go out of their way to take care of you.

I usually love the fish plates here - but i am totally in love with the interiors. Dessert is also good.. my motto is if the place has great appetizers, main and dessert - it's well worth it to go back..and it won't break your bank.

overall - it has a relaxing atmosphere, chilled - great to hang with friends for a low key evening as well as a creative crowd.

If you are bringing a date - ask for a side table - or else you might end up on the long center tables which are fun too if you don't mind sharing with strangers - more interesting conversations.

A must go spot.

Due to the rain had a drink at the Waterhouse lobby lounge rather than the rooftop bar. Like most hotel lobby lounges it had zero atmosphere regardless of the "designer" environment.
The restaurant itself is fairly small and casual with some tables for two and some communal tables. Our waiter suggested ordering an entree and a main would probably not be enough and strongly recommended a side-salad or potatoes but acknowledged he didn't know how hungry I was. I declined but he ended up being right, both all the dishes were on the small side. However, more importantly all the dishes we ordered; the mackeral, tuna tartar, duck-ham Waldorf sala and the sole with squid rice were all fantastic, really some of the best western food we've had in Shanghai.
Both the service and the price were nothing to complain about nor rave about. All in all, despite the hype of the Waterhouse & Table 1, the only fancy stuff at this restaurant was on the plate, which is just the way I like it.

Ah Table No1,
wished I could love this place.

Great design and location for a Boutique Hotel,
very Industrial modern stylish design by Neri and Hu architects.

Interior design of the restaurant, sophisticated with that lofty look; hip from Berlin, Montreal to NYC.

the praising stops there.

to simply put it;

Portions are too small to share and prices are to hefty to order it 2 times....like 70kuai for a Mushroom side-dish? Cmon!!
+that 15% service fee, etc. Simply, for a city with Shanghai where you have great value and also great destination to splurge for foodies...Table No1 falls short. And at those price, you don't want to be eating on a Canteen style table rubbing elbows with strangers beside.

Went there 3 times and feel like it was 2 times too many. Others patrons felt the same

Sad because it's a nice setting; just change the restaurant altogether.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city and my boyfriend and I will end up here at least once a week and sometimes even more! The food has never let us down yet and it's really a great place to take visitors to the city. The service is generally good and efficient, but on a couple of occasions when it has been very busy things have come to a halt and we have had to remind the servers what we are waiting for. Still nothing new in Shanghai and still much better than many of the other Bund restaurants.