Shanghainese peanuts

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The Peanut Gang haven't gotten together for a meal since the start of the year - between members' frequent travels and B Bestie's usual last-minute cancellations - and when we finally managed to grab everyone, we found ourselves back at yet another establishment serving Shanghainese cuisine. Very grateful to have a member who can get us a table at Shanghai Fraternity Association (上海總會).

Of course, we let the resident member do most of the ordering, but we did ask for a couple of items that we really wanted.

Mutton jelly (羊膏) - not sure I remember ever having these here... since I usually ask for the cured pork variety that is more common. Pretty nice and tender, and tasty.

Tossed jellyfish (海蜇) - nice and crunchy, and served up with black vinegar.

Wuxi crispy eel (無錫脆鱔) - one of those dishes I don't think I'll ever tire of. What's not to like about crispy, deep-fried food with amazing fragrance?!

Braised beef brisket and tendon (紅燒牛筋腩)

Crispy bean curd skin rolls (脆皮素鵝)

Stir-fried shrimp (油爆蝦) - one of my favorite dishes in the Shanghainese cuisine repertoire... and I do miss the ones in Shanghai with tiny river shrimp. Love the sweet sauce and I always eat these whole with the shells. Tonight the heads were a little too big and tough to swallow.

Marinated pigeon in Huadiao wine (醉乳鴿)

Stir-fried crystal noodles with hairy crab roe (蟹粉粉皮) - I've gone the entire hairy crab season without having any, so this was a good opportunity to get some crab roe. Very tasty.

Honey-marinated lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice in osmanthus sauce (桂花糖藕) - a childhood favorite that mom used to serve up at home, without the lotus seeds and without any osmanthus. I would have been happy to have this as a starter the way they do in Shanghai, but I guess the others didn't feel the same way. Oh well, still very happy that I got to have this. It's really been a while.

Crispy scallion and sesame puffy cake (蔥油芝麻大餅) - always a good idea.

It's difficult not to have puffy, greasy dough with a crispy, browned exterior coated with sesame seeds, and an inside stuffed with spring onions. I'd like these to come with a liiiitle bit of spring onions, but I'm not gonna complain too much.

Xiaolongbao with hairy crab roe (蟹粉小籠包) - 'tis the season for this, and always happy to have a bite or two.

Pan-fried pork dumplings (鮮肉鍋貼) - these came just in time as I was about to run out the door.

We brought along a few casual bottles, but some people actually started out with whisky...

2022 00 Wines Chardonnay VGW - very toasty nose, and kinda buttery.

2008 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - big nose of petroleum, with a little bit of white flower. There was definitely some sweetness on the palate along with the acidity.

Xiaopu perdue.J - this was soooo bongwater, unfiltered and very cloudy appearance. Pretty sweet and fruity, with notes of forest, leather, strawberries, and raspberries.

Unfortunately I had to run to a board meeting, and didn't get to hang out with the gang more. Hopefully we will have more opportunities to get together and enjoy some peanuts together in the next year.