Famed Steakhouse Lawry's The Prime Rib Opens in Shanghai

Dining institution and famed steakhouse Lawry’s The Prime Rib has arrived in Shanghai — now open in Changning district.

About Lawry's Shanghai

Established in 1938 in Beverly Hills, Lawry’s The Prime Rib is an internationally renowned steakhouse that specializes in roasted prime rib hand-carved tableside. It is a fourth-generation family-owned brand that maintains a long-standing reputation for its timeless food and hospitality.

Lawry's The Prime Rib Shanghai

This is actually the second coming of Lawry’s in Shanghai. The last one was eons ago in Xintiandi and closed. Now they're back and are rolling out the silver trolley and prime rib experience for the masses.

Located in the newly minted WYSH complex on Wuyi Lu in Changning, Lawry’s Shanghai boasts a spacious dining room with intimate banquettes and a cozy bar, as well as three private rooms, the largest of which accommodates up to 20 persons. It has that quintessential classic steakhouse feel with modern décor, dimly lit and classy. During the day, it’s mostly bright with natural light.

There’s also an outdoor seating area that is dog-friendly.

The Food: Prime Rib & Classic Sides

What is Prime Rib?

Also known as a standing rib roast, the prime rib is the whole length of bone-in rib-eye, specifically from the 6th to 12th ribs, but might include an extra rib or two. The cut is marbled with fat, and is tender, moist, and flavorful.

Lawry's Shanghai: The Prime Rib

Lawry’s Shanghai

Lawry's Shanghai uses USDA certified beef. They season the whole slab of meat with their name brand seasoned salt and slow roast it in the oven over a bed of rock salt. The roasts are then rested in their signature silver trolleys. This cooking method also ensures that the whole length of prime rib is evenly cooked, locking in the juices and allowing the meat to retain its tenderness and a pink center.

Five Lawry’s Classic Prime Rib Cuts:

• California Cut (¥450, 170g)
• English Cut (¥510, 180g) - Three thin slices.
• Lawry Cut (¥595, 280g) – With or without the bone.
• Diamond Jim Brady Cut (¥875, 650g) – An extra-thick portion of bone-in prime rib.
• Shanghai Family Cut (¥1,480, 1kg) – Double-sized and bone-in.

California Cut

Lawry Cut bone-in

Diamond Jim Brady Cut

English Cut

Different Cuts of Prime Rib at Lawry's

The steak trolley is paraded around the room and steaks are carved table-side according to the order.

You’re probably wondering how do they know how much to carve? At least I did, and Google didn’t disappoint. Employees must ascend to the “Royal Order of Carvers,” a title given and medal awarded to staff who complete a six-month hands-on training process, after which they’re deemed fit to carve for guests.

The medal, front and center.

How was the steak? Pretty awesome! Super juicy thick cut steak that comes with a nice fat cap with (extra) gravy. I’m more of whole steak person, either a Lawry Cut bone-in or a Jim Brady to share.

Hella juicy!

Lawry's Shanghai Steakhouse Sides & Appetizers

Each order of steak includes Yorkshire pudding, a serving of their Spinning Salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, and whipped cream horseradish. Additional condiments include fresh horseradish and Lawry’s seasoned salt and pepper.

Yorkshire Pudding – Crispy puffed edges and a pliable center. Best utilized as a sauce vessel and to scoop up stray sides.

The Famous Original Spinning Salad (¥98, a la carte) – Also served tableside, whereby spinach, romaine, iceberg, beets, croutons, egg, and dressing are spun and mixed in a giant salad bowl over ice.

Condiments of whipped cream horseradish, fresh horseradish (my preference for its natural sweetness and mustardy kick), and Lawry’s Seasoning. Lawry’s Seasoning is also an American household spice.

Additional side dishes start from ¥58. Classic American steakhouse sides include creamed corn, mashed potatoes, lobster tails, fries, whole baked potatoes, etc.

Creamed Spinach (¥58) – I’m a sucker for traditional steakhouse sides. And this creamy spinach does not disappoint.

Mac & Cheese (¥88) – A basic version of mac and cheese.

Other non-steak dishes are also available, including roasted spring chicken, whole roasted sea bass, and grilled salmon, as well as appetizers and add-ons.

Lawry’s Seafood Tower (¥885 or ¥1,685) – Jumbo shrimp, lobster, oysters, Alaskan king crab, fresh mussels, razor clams, served with shallot vinaigrette, cocktail sauce, and lemon.

Crab Cakes (¥215/two, ¥295/three) – Pan-fried crab cakes served with tomato pickled sauce.

They also have a Lawry's Course set (¥688) that includes crab cake, salad, California Cut, creamed corn or creamed spinach, English Trifle dessert, and one selected drink.

Approachable Wine List

For drinks, Lawry’s Shanghai has a wide selection of wines by the glass, more than a dozen red, white, and sparkling, starting from a very approachable ¥49 a glass, ¥228 a bottle of the house sparkling. Other wines are also competitively priced; house red is ¥58, and bottles start from ¥368. Very decent house labels, too, I might add.

They also have a special wine flight on offer, featuring a best of selection from Napa; three glasses of wine for ¥399 or ¥699.

Lunch & Brunch at Lawry's Shanghai

Lawry’s is also open daily for lunch as well as Sunday brunch.

Lunch is ¥268, which includes one main course plus a salad bar, and one selected drink. Sunday Brunch is ¥398, which includes one main course plus a salad bar with the addition of seafood, and one selected drink.

The salad bar is a whole spread of fresh salad, house salads, cold cuts, breads and pastries, and bite-sized hors d’oeuvres like salmon and beef tartlets. The Sunday brunch spread is a level up with fresh seafood like chilled prawns, mussels, clams, octopus, and crab.

For lunch and brunch mains, there's an epic burger, a lobster roll, a prime rib sandwich, and seafood linguine. My personal favorites are the prime rib sandwich and the burger. Obviously, prime rib is also available, starting from the 85g lunch cut to the Lawry Cut (supplement ¥265).

Prime Rib Sandwich – Sliced prime rib served on a toasted French baguette topped with melted cheese sauce and a liberal and necessary amount of mustard to cut through the richness, served with house-cut crispy chips.

It also comes with a gravy boat! You should most definitely dip the sandwich into that sauce.

Lawry’s Burger – Beef patty with bacon, caramelized onions, mushroom ragout, melted cheddar and Swiss cheese, served with chips. It’s a burger of epic proportions, juicy and well-balanced in flavor.

Lobster Roll – A generous amount chunky lobster meat in a toasted soft roll with house sauce and garden greens served with chips. On that note, the chips are also excellent, crispy and lightly salted.

Seafood Linguine – Linguine pasta served with sliced fish, prawns, and squid in a marinara sauce.

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Lawry's The Prime Rib
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