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Restaurant Talk: The New China Buffet
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Posted by nwv_admin Wed Sep 22, 2004 14:09:00 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments The New China Buffet is currently celebrating its grand opening at the northeast corner of the SavMart Shopping Center, just west of the Northwest Promenade.

Jim Huang is manager of the restaurant and, along with his two brothers, he meets and greets the customers. The remainder of his family is in the back cooking up some really good-looking Chinese, American and Japanese-style buffet dishes.

Huang came to Bakersfield from New York about one year ago and his family followed six months later. New China Buffet has been open about four months.

The interior of the New China Buffet is bright and happy looking. The space is laid out well and there is ample room for a family to dine together in comfort. The buffet tables are inviting and easy to negotiate.
Everything is new, and it's obvious that the Huang family has been in the restaurant business before. Indeed, according to Huang, the family operated a Chinese restaurant in New York.

Every imaginable buffet dish is available. The menu says "Chinese, American and Japanese," and I don't think a thing was missing.

There is a sushi bar, along with a regular menu that lists a variety of beef, pork and chicken dishes served with rice. Vegetable soup and seafood soup are also on the menu, along with the expected egg drop soup, wonton soup and hot-and-sour soup. Soups were also available on the buffet line, and I personally enjoyed the buffet's orange chicken and the egg rolls.

Shrimp was prepared several different ways, and the coconut shrimp was out-of-this-world good. There were several beef and pork dishes that I didn't try but that looked good. The rice was nice and fluffy (both pork fried and white). Lots of vegetables were available, including steamed broccoli, which comes prepared in a garlic sauce.

For children, pizza seemed to be a favorite. The Jell-o and fruit looked appetizing and I saw one small child with several different colors of Jell-o.

There are dozens of items to order a la carte in addition to the buffet, and lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $5.25. Take-out is also available.

The New China Buffet can accommodate group gatherings, as well. Call Jim at 588-8666 to make reservations for special events.

The New China Buffet is a comfortable place to take the family. Dress is casual and the atmosphere is inviting. As an added bonus, you're likely to meet your Northwest neighbors and friends. The night we were there we ran into a couple we hadn't seen in a long time. Along with the varied menu and the pleasure of seeing old friends, the New China Buffet ended up being a very nice place for a Friday evening dinner.

The New China Buffet
2781 Calloway Drive, Suite 502
588-8666
Open seven days a week
Children under 3 eat free
Seniors over 60 receive a 10 percent discount

Lunch Buffet: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ($5.99 adults; $3.99 ages 8-11; $2.29 ages 4-7)
Dinner Buffet: Monday-Thursday 3:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday - 3:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. ($8.99 adults; children 8-11, $6.99; children 4-7, $4.99; )
Open Sunday for dinner: 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Pepsi, 7-up, iced tea and other soft drinks on the menu are $1 with unlimited refills.
All buffets are "all you can eat."

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