I've been going to this buffet since it was the Grand China buffet, so some years. But this is about New Oriënt and not the Grand China.
My experience here has always been pretty good. The staff are polite & courteous, the bathrooms are always clean and the rest of the restaurant is clean as well. The staff are attentive, but sometimes I don't get a drink refill for a bit, I know it depends on how crowded they are and other customers to attend to.
I do agree with another reviewer with this place showing it's age, but to me, that's not a negative, it shows the history, charm and long lasting of businesses and not just tear down the building and make a brand new cookie-cutter looking building just because. It's not in the interest of the people here to do that, it would be wasteful and I probably would not feel as comfortable going to the buffet if it was all new, sterilized and artificial looking, where it would not have any charm.
A side tangent, that's what I don't like about the new location of the goodwill in La Vale, it just feels so new and has no character or charm to it, compared to the older location in the plaza with the Ollie's.
Since COVID-19, I understand the paintings aren't up on the walls probably for easier cleaning, but I go to Chinese buffets and take out places for the aesthetics and cultural design, it really adds to the warmth and happiness I feel going- so to me, yes, it's a negative there that it has lost a bit of that charm. I do hope they put the paintings back up again.
I'd love to chat with the ladies there but I understand it's a business and not a social club, I just feel always welcomed to the buffet and the staff are always polite.
There is a good variety of food- Americanized Chinese food, but I like it. A negative about the food would be sometimes some of the buffet items sit out for a bit, and I think they should be checked on more often, and with items like the gravy, mashed potato's and such, stirring it around at times to keep it all evenly heated would be better.
Also, sometimes the food replacements don't come out enough when a buffet item is gone, but they do their best here, and I appreciate that, and sometimes I ask one of the women if they could ask the cooks in the back if they can make more of the food that's out.
They have the usual Americanized Chinese food that you expect..The usual American food for these buffets are here too, like pizza, mac & cheese, chicken wings, mashed potatoes, etc.
There is also different seafood for dinner, sushi and a hibachi grill where can have raw ingredients cooked to your liking.
It would be nice if they would have orange chicken though, I've always known that's more of a popular dish, and not honey chicken.
I also like the desserts and fruit selection, they're pretty fresh and flavorful. I usually go for pineapple and ice cream for fruit and dessert.
I guess I'm used to Asian culture, especially Chinese, Taiwanese and Hong Konger, so there are thick accents from the women, but I can easily understand them, and they do their best too with speaking English, I am understanding of that.
I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars, not 5 mainly because the paintings on the walls not being up takes away a bit of the charm of this place.
Overall, I recommend going to this buffet for the polite staff, the cleanliness, the good variety of food and for me, the overall experience. read more
