In Chinese food, we have small dishes that precede the appetizers and entrees. While I love all the food at Sho Lan — the best Shanghainese restaurant in my book — I love their small dishes most. Our family tends not to restrict ourselves; we order almost all the small dishes they have available. From the bean sprouts to eggplant, bitter melon, stuffed peppers and sliced bean curd, the flavors are vibrant and exactly as they should be. Sho Lan has served home-style Shanghainese cuisine with impeccable quality control for over 30 years – and I can say that because I’ve been coming for over 30 years.