Lagos Restaurant Week 2017: Shiro
“For three weeks in November, participating restaurants in Lagos will be offering prix fixe lunches and dinners for Visa customers as part of Visa Restaurant Week ”
NOSA: For the most part, Lagos Restaurant Week hasn’t really worked for anyone since its inception.
Restaurateurs don’t see the expected spike in traffic, while customers don’t get any value for the “deals” they’re shelling out for.
FOLLY: We can't say that with any degree of certainty because we don't have all the information.
NOSA: Things are bit different this year. The improvement hasn’t been significant, but it’s been big enough to notice.
The restaurants (not all) have put in effort into doing it right and the customers are responding. Or maybe I’m assuming based on how Shiro looked last night. But then again, Shiro put in the most effort into their menu.
FOLLY: They really did. As someone who has been to Shiro on a number of occasions, I can tell that the restaurant week selections are really an expose into their menu.
“An important note so you don’t find yourself shocked when the bill arrives: VAT, Service and Drinks are not included in the prix fixe. Also, payment must be with a VISA card or mVISA, where available, only”
NOSA: We mentioned it in our LRW Guide, but it bears repeating: Shiro's Restaurant Week menu is extensive. No other restaurant actually gives you a proper feel of its menu.
SOUP & SALAD
NOSA: I got the "Bang Bang" Salad. If chicken is your thing, this should be what you order. Your first bite might be a bit funky, but it's smooth sailing after that.
"Shiro Style" Bang Bang Salad
FOLLY: I had the Thai Kwai and this was the first time I've ever had this before so I didn't have any preconceived notion about it and I ended up loving it. From the description, it's a Thai soup that's heavy on lemongrass, ginger, and chilies which are all things that I like. The lemongrass and ginger were the most prominent spices and together they worked so well.
Thai Kwai
DIM SUM & MAKI
Red Dragon Maki
Boursin Prawn & Avocado Maki
NOSA: Shiro is excellent with the sushi so, for me, this was the highlight of the night.
FOLLY: They never disappoint in this area so this didn't come as a surprise.
NOSA: Don't even need to talk too much about it. Right after Izanagi, and maybe Fusion, Shiro has the best sushi in Lagos
APPETISER
NOSA: The spring rolls were a massive scam.
FOLLY: Sweet corn in spring rolls is a perfect example of when someone is trying to be different but just ruins the whole vibe.
Kan Pung Seawoo
Thai Fried Spring Rolls
NOSA: The shrimp was a lot better as an appetiser. It tasted largely like shrimp in stew, but it worked. Definitely worked.
MAIN
NOSA: The mains were the most boring thing in the world. Perfect for the Nigerian palate, but my God, it was uninspiring.
FOLLY: I was so excited about my hot pot chicken but it fell flat and was also pretty salty. Disappointment all around.
NOSA: I don't get why my Stir Fry Beef & Mushroom had to be so broth-y. I can see it with the hot pot, but not stir fry.
DESSERT
NOSA: We both got the Chocolate Volcano and to be honest, it was a bit disappointing. It's great on paper, but the cake, itself, is pretty weak. For all the extra around it, it's just a step away from Cakes & Cream.
Chocolate Volcano
FOLLY: I liked the exploding chocolate in the middle. I would have preferred milk chocolate because it reminded me of Domino's Lava cakes which I love.
POSTSCRIPT
NOSA: It's really a reflection of Shiro. The sushi is great. Dim sum too. But the rest, not so much.
FOLLY: The dim sum was the highlight of the menu and the soup was a close second. I wish we had ordered differently for our mains.