New eatery in China?

[MJMcBride]

Looks like there will be a major overhaul both in food and look. Here's a bit on it
http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/09/07/713/#comment-1940

I always found this place to be awful so I'm happy. Any thoughts?

 

[ChrisFL]

so China at Epcot then, not Hong Kong

I've never eaten at 9 dragons, but IMO part of the problem is that Chinese food isn't rare in the US like some of the other countries featured at Epcot.

 

[Another Voice]

There have been rumblings for a long time that Disney was trying to establish a new "strategic relationship" to run its outsourced restaurants (and many to are about to be outsourced). I would not be surpirsed, if this is true, that 9 Dragons will become another Patina Group operation.

The ownership and operation of the China pavilion has always been...interesting.

 

[raidermatt]

The restaurant gets a bad rap. It's fault is that it is actually more authentic than probably 95% of the chinese restauants in the US, both in terms of the food and service.

That's not to say the food is completely authentic, but to most people, Panda Express is the measuring stick.

The food is ok. It's overpriced, but that's not exactly rare in WDW.

The service is efficient but impersonal, which is the norm in the more authentic Chinese restaurants.

Overall I think the problem is it's just not the best fit for what most WDW guests are looking for. But it's not a quality problem, persay.

We don't have much to go on with respect to the changes, but I'm guessing its going to move more in the trendy direction, like what is probably going to happen with the Italy restaurant.

 

[G8RFAN]

The restaurant gets a bad rap. It's fault is that it is actually more authentic than probably 95% of the chinese restauants in the US, both in terms of the food and service.

That's not to say the food is completely authentic, but to most people, Panda Express is the measuring stick.

The food is ok. It's overpriced, but that's not exactly rare in WDW.

The service is efficient but impersonal, which is the norm in the more authentic Chinese restaurants.

Overall I think the problem is it's just not the best fit for what most WDW guests are looking for. But it's not a quality problem, persay.

We don't have much to go on with respect to the changes, but I'm guessing its going to move more in the trendy direction, like what is probably going to happen with the Italy restaurant.

Matt, you hit this right on the head. Not perfectly authentic but much more so than the chop suey slop that get sold as Chinese food everywhere. I actually find their food to be better than OK with the mo po bean curd and twice cooked pork being my favorite dishes. They also make a good hot and sour soup. Growing up in NYC and then Chicago suburbs, I've had the opportunity of having some of the best in the respective chinatown districts. Even had a meal in LA's chinatown district and was also impressed there too. There are only two Chinese restaurants in all of South Florida that can boast authentic fare and they are both highly scored with Zagats. The only "franchise" chinese that I have found to be good is P.F. Chang's which is surprising close to "authentic".

 

[FigNewton]

Thankfully authentic chinese is becoming more and more common even in smaller cities. There are several establishments here in Louisville serving from an authentic menu now, and I've heard from friends in other towns that it's popping up there as well.

That's not to say I actually want to see authentic replace the chinese-american joints completely. I rather enjoy both, as completely different, though related, styles.

I'm hoping I can convince my wife to go for a nice Dim Sum brunch in the morning. Not sure if I'll be able to get her up early enough for that though!

 

[Wick]

The article says renovation was to end mid-2008.
A CM on a guided tour I took in April '07 mentioned that it was to extend possibly to early 2009. Yikes.

 

[graywulf70]

I would love to have authentic. I have eaten in NYC's Chinatown several time and would love to try some of those dishes again. I like what passes as Chinese also, but I love to have authentic dishes from all over the world. I have to wait until 9/2008 for my chance, but I am counting the days.

Thankfully authentic chinese is becoming more and more common even in smaller cities. There are several establishments here in Louisville serving from an authentic menu now, and I've heard from friends in other towns that it's popping up there as well.

That's not to say I actually want to see authentic replace the chinese-american joints completely. I rather enjoy both, as completely different, though related, styles.

I'm hoping I can convince my wife to go for a nice Dim Sum brunch in the morning. Not sure if I'll be able to get her up early enough for that though!

 

[MJMcBride]

The food is ok. It's overpriced, but that's not exactly rare in WDW.

I would have to say that food was below average. This may be a case of outsourcing o Pantina being a good thing

 

[fey_spirit]

Could you tell this E Town girl where to find these Chinese resteraunts of which you speak?

Thankfully authentic chinese is becoming more and more common even in smaller cities. There are several establishments here in Louisville serving from an authentic menu now, and I've heard from friends in other towns that it's popping up there as well.

That's not to say I actually want to see authentic replace the chinese-american joints completely. I rather enjoy both, as completely different, though related, styles.

I'm hoping I can convince my wife to go for a nice Dim Sum brunch in the morning. Not sure if I'll be able to get her up early enough for that though!