My boyfriend brought me here for our anniversary, was quite surprised since its pretty ulu. Luckily my boyfriend have made a reservation, seeing the inside was quite full. We got seated somewhere in the middle. It was quite romantic with the dim lightings but quite noisy too. The ppl there do not serve with a smile, most seems to have a cloud over their face.
But the food is worth the wait. We tried the smoked salmon salad-pretty generous with the fish, borsch soup was good. Main course we got the steak, pretty ok and the dessert was really good. Too bad we didn't get to try their baked alaska which my boyfriend heard that it was pretty good. Overall, food was good but service not appealing, price was pretty hefty.

Borsch Soup was 10/10. The bread was hot and soft 10/10 too.
Too bad the Baked Alaska was not available. Steak was ok..not too bad. Heard alot of people complain about the service but I guess it was still ok. Reason might be because I went early and there was not so many customers yet.

We were having a small company dinner and a colleague suggested this place. Never been there before given its ulu location and no advertising whatsoever. Interior deco is very "oldish"... dining area quite dim but the bar counter with very bright white light... weird. Waiting staff mostly middle aged and above AND service is the "bo chap" style... no smiles no "hi" no "thank you" kind. However, was surprised food is good. Liked the borsch soup... very delicious!! Shashlik beef is recommended too. We also ordered the Alaskan Dessert (cream served with alcohol on fire)... this is good too!!

Do not go with a super empty stomach, you'll end up suffering from gastric pains even before the food arrives.

Went there quite a number of times over the years, will never forget one particular visit. Called them for a reservation for 2 persons and I made a grave mistake, showing up in slippers with my lady. The ever strict & emotionless "uncle" looked at me from head to toe, turned his nose upwards and said: "Do you have shoes to change into?", what do you think I am...? A walking convenience store?

He granted entry nonetheless, given it was a weekday early evening, but pointed me to a corner of the already dimmed set up, so my Havannias would be hidden from view, though insulted, it received a pleasing snigger from my lady.

Shashlik is perfect for people in the Mafia circles, dim lights, closed windows, little disturbance, in case you are planning a heist. Couples will be pleased too. But don't expect any pleasant service from anyone.

An occasional family dinner will happen there, and expect the noise level to go way up, as the place is very quiet to begin with. Watch with amusement whenever the noise level goes up, the "uncles" & "aunties" serving will have a dark cloud over their faces.

Bosch soup and fancy presentation of their Irish Coffee, excellent.
Though service is weak and speed is slow, the food is worth it.
Reservations a must if you want to avoid disappointment, if no one picks up, expect to get the voicemail (the voice is the ever strict & emotionless uncle)

Shashlik is one of those places that always presents a conundrum to me. On the one hand, they have one of the rudest bunch of waiters I have ever seen, but on the other hand, their bosch soup is truly out of the world and one of the Top 10 dishes I would rank on my all time favourite list. I think many people think that way too - hence, they can get away with their service attitude. They will also look at you fiercely and insist that you order at least one main course per person ($20+ each!) if you try to go there and try their bosch soup or baked alaska (their other specialty which I like) only.

Honestly speaking, I don't think their main courses are good (the shashlik beef or the other steaks) and I think for that quality its overpriced. Hence, I would honestly only go there for the bosch soups and baked alaska. However, since they have this policy of no starters or desserts only meals, that means you have to order from the main courses.

Dilemma right?

If you give me a choice, I would order 2 bowls of the bosch soup and order their warm buns to dip in them. Excellent combi! But no no no, they don't allow that. Its a shame as I would definitely be visiting them on a regular basis if they allowed that.

Since there are so many other culinary choices out there today offering greater value today (a meal at Shashlik will cost at least $50+ per person after taxes for the bosch soup + a main course + Baked Alaska dessert - note, no view, no ambiance, no service - and all this for a soup and dessert you enjoy + a main course that I think is substandard), I think I have to give them a pass as long as they have this policy or someone is treating me there. Haha!! =P