I worked for this restaurant for a number of years and the late owner of this business was a wonderful man! Simon tried over the years to cook traditional food but it simply would not sell. This was not the audience for traditional food. This crowd, "and yes it was a crowd", was looking for watered down Chinese food. Simon would do catering as well and that was fantastic, he would cook traditional Chinese food that was awesome! I feel it is not fair to compare his restaurant to East or West Coast Take-Outs. Also, if you would of ordered from the menu, you would of had a different experience, or even went to their restaurant at the mall.
One other note, during the time when this restaurant was open, there were two other Chinese Restaurants, "They were traditional" and had very poor business. The China Garden by far had the most business and was open on major holidays, the crowd was substantial.
I am a white American who married a Chinese woman and moved to NYC, the Chinese food that posters here consider Chinese food is not Chinese food!
RIP Simon, I still cook your Spicy Pork and Cabbage for my two Boys! read more