Grand China Buffet specializes in New York-style Chinese food
In the past seven years, 38-year-old Kevin Liu has opened three restaurants in Sarasota. This year his latest-opened, at Bee Ridge Square Plaza, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Grand China Buffet is a spacious and handsomely decorated eatery located on the southeast corner of Cattlemen and Bee Ridge roads, just north of Home Depot.
Born in southeastern China, Liu came to the U.S. about 16 years ago, when he started working in New York’s Chinatown. He opened his first restaurant in the Big Apple 10 years ago.
The family also owns China Taste at University and Tuttle avenues, China 1 in Venice, and China Wok establishments in New Port Richey and Jupiter.
Their latest venture, Grand China Buffet, follows the popular China 1, which Liu opened in November 2002 at Sarasota Pavilion Mall.
Like his previous endeavors, Grand China Buffet specializes in "New York-style Chinese food," said Liu. But at Grand China, as the name implies, it comes in a bigger package.
With its ceiling of blue neon and score of crystal chandeliers to reflect the light, Grand China aims for an elegant and open interior. Light woods and incised glass panels create separate rooms in the large space. The centerpiece of the restaurant is the several gleaming rows of buffet tables.
Selection and quality are the twin aims of Grand China Buffet, said Lui.
More than 16 varieties of sushi, four soups and dozens of seafood, poultry and meat entrees are lined up to comprise the more than 200 items on the buffet.
Favorite Chinese dishes – such as Mongolian beef, beef with broccoli, fried dumpling, pepper steak and General Tso’s chicken – are on offer, as well as the always-popular seafood items – including fresh oysters, mussels, crab legs and shrimp – all prepared in several different ways.
There’s also plenty for occidental tastes: Baked salmon, cheesesteak and stuffed chicken are favorites with customers, and there’s even pepperoni pizza for recalcitrant youngsters.
Salads and desserts are plentiful, with a wide variety of fruit, puddings, cakes, cookies, pastries and the ever-popular soft ice cream.
The lunch buffet, served until 4 p.m., is only $6.89, and children age 3-10 eat for $4.89 (younger children are free). The dinner on special weekday nights (Mon.-Thurs) is priced at $8.99, or at $11.49 on weekends. On Sundays, a brunch buffet is also $8.99.
Sodas are just $1.29 and come with free refills. Seniors age 65 and older receive a 10 percent discount.
The buffet is also available for take-out at $3.99 per pound at lunchtime and $4.99 a pound at dinner.
While the overwhelming majority of customers choose the buffet, a full regular menu also is available, featuring a wide range of Chinese food styles, from the traditional Cantonese to the spicy Szechwan and Hunan.
A value-packed dinner combination specially priced at $5.95-$6.75 offers more than 40 entrees and includes roast pork, fried rice and an egg roll. The extensive menu includes favorite Chinese dishes such as lo mein, chow mein, curry, egg foo yong and sweet and sour preparations.
A great boon to smaller appetites comes with a choice of small or large portions of nearly all of the menu items.
Entrees, for example, range from $3.75 for a small portion of chicken chow mein to $8.95 for a large order of shrimp with garlic sauce.
Chef’s special choices include 26 special dishes ranging from General Tso’s chicken to seafood pan-fried noodles served with jumbo shrimp, lobster, crab and mixed vegetables served with fried noodles.
Those watching their waistlines or cholesterol will appreciate a selection of special diet menu offerings. Seven steamed entrees – including chicken, shrimp and vegetables – are served with ginger sauce on the side. These range from $5.95 for vegetarian dishes up to $9.80 for the steamed seafood delight.