fbhjr

There is a Chinese restaurant near where I work that is decorated the way they were when I was a kid. The food is also what I remember, not the big buffets that have become common lately. I’ve got nothing against the buffet places, if the food is good, but the Hong and Kong always had a nostalgia for me that those can meet.
A photo near the top of this old entry: http://www.fbhjr.livejournal.com/1054941.html

I was worried when a month ago it was closed with a sign saying it was under new management and would be updated and reopen soon.
I worried it would be another in the string of buffet places and lose all the character I thought it had.

Today I went back. When I pulled into the lot, I was the only car there. Several people where sitting outside talking to each other. Turns out it was the new owners…
I walked in and the same woman who used to work there was behind the counter.
“New restaurant! Same me!” she said as I walked in. “They took your favorite special off of the menu, but I can make the cook do it if you want!”
I did not force them to make something no longer on the menu, but ordered one of their new lunch specials.
No buffet. A variety of specials at good prices.

As I waited, the people who had been outside came in. I was looking around and saw that the only change was the moved the tables a bit farther apart. Maybe they’ll add a buffet later, maybe not.

“I’m glad you didn’t change things much,” I told them. “I like the way the restaurant looks. It reminds me of when I was young.”
“He doesn’t speak English,” the woman at the counter said. “He just bought the place, but is new to the country.”
I know just enough Chinese to say “very good” to him in Chinese while waving at the restaurant.
You’d think I told him he won the lottery. He beamed a smile, took both my hands in his and thanked me very much.

The woman said something else to me, and he shook my hand again.
“I told him you were a lucky customer,” she said. “When you come in, others come with you.”
“I’m just here by myself,” I said. “I didn’t bring anyone else.”
As I said it, two cars pulled up and six people came into the restaurant.
“Are they with you?” she asked me.
“No, I don’t know who they are.”
“Lucky.”

My food was brought out and there was another round of handshaking. He gave me a menu. I gave him my card (for my day job, not sword troupe) and left.

The food is the same as it was. They probably haven’t changed the chef either.

I’m glad I went back. I’m glad the new owner was happy. Hopefully the lucky thing will keep up…