Nanjing Impressions | Geeky Restaurant Adventures 2

I’ve walked past Nanjing Impressions at Plaza Singapura several times this year, but have never gone in since it felt more to be a group dining kind of establishment rather than a place for solo dining. Being at Plaza Singapura again today with my elderly ones to settle some telco issue, I seized the opportunity to check out the place and suggested having dinner there. My impression of the restaurant so far is that it has to be pretty good for a family dinner. Whenever I pass by it on weekends, it’s positively packed.

Anyhow, we went in at around half past five, right before the usual dinner crowd. This gave us plenty of time to pour over the quite extensive menu, which conveniently comes with pictures of signature dishes to help diners unfamiliar with Nanjing cuisine. Leaving father with the task of ordering, I wandered about snapping some pictures. (With my LG G6, by the way. Camera quality seemed to have improved since an update) To paraphrase what mum said after we ordered, sitting in Nanjing Impressions really feels as if one is dining in historical China. The illusion is further enhanced by the atmospheric ping tan (评弹) music playing over the speakers.

Nanjing Impressions Plaza Singapura Interior — The “da pai dian,” or street stall part of the restaurant. You don’t order here. It’s for visual effect.

Suzhou ping tan music live performance at Nanjing Impressions Plaza Singapura. — Live Ping Tan performance. I’m stunned that mom knew what this was right away. She even knew what the instruments were. (Never look down on your elderly ones!)

Nanjing Impressions Singapore — Overview of the restaurant interior. I think everyone loves the hanging lanterns.

According to online write-ups, Nanjing Impressions, or Nanjing Da Pai Dang in Chinese, has over 40 outlets in China and was the Golden Tripod Winner of the “Top Ten Brands of Chain Restaurant in China” in 2013. Its emphasis is on the preservation and promotion of Chinese Huaiyang cuisine, as well as recreating the glorious days of Nanjing’s past.

From what I can see, the restaurant certainly places a lot of importance on its branding, and I don’t just mean the décor. Everywhere, there are lots of small touches to complete that sensation of being in Nanjing’s past, from how the dishes are named, to the job designations of the staff, to the folding menu. Overall, I also found service to be prompt and attentive.