By Alice Li Yuan
Shenzhen – February 2 – IJS-Global – Facing recession caused by the financial tsunami, a Shenzhen based restaurant called Chung’s Cuisine was not influenced regarding dinner booking on the Lunar New Year’s Eve, January 25, according to its manager Ann Chen.
“We worried about a fall in bookings, but the situation turned out to be good. Almost all the tables were booked up,” Chen said. “We had a special offer for the Eve’s dinner, and we didn’t charge consumers for the service fee.”
Located in the DiWang Tower, the landmark of Shenzhen, Chung’s Cuisine opened in May 2007. When the global financial crisis broke out, the restaurant introduced “Tsunami Prices” to attract customers. All the dim sum items for morning tea are eight yuan.
Chen said usually many white-collars working around like to have lunch here, but only few people come to eat for dinner. She hopes the business will get better in the Year of the Ox.
Meanwhile, Yang Jie, manager of Wai Po Qiao restaurant in Baoan district, said 80 percent of the seats were booked a week before the Eve of Spring Festival.
“Both the main hall and the private rooms were fully seated, and most of the meals were held for companies annual dinner,” said Yang.
Shi Gong Hui, a seafood restaurant in Futian district, also welcomed many guests on the Eve.
According to Tan Ming Shan, a 25-year-old technician of a software test company, the restaurant divided dinner time into two parts; one was before 8p.m., the other from 8 to 10p.m., as his family reunion dinner was asked to finish before 8p.m. in order to leave seats for the next table.
On the other hand, Chen Shao Hua, Secretary-General of Shenzhen Food Service Association, said the overall amount of reservation in restaurants was expected to be reduced by 20 percent compared to previous years, according to Sina online news quoting Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on January 20.
It also reported that Chuan Ren Wei Dao, a popular restaurant which serves Sichuan cuisine, had only four tables booked until then, almost three times fewer than last year.
Similarly, Sina stated that a restaurant in suburban district of Shenzhen, had one third of private rooms reserved and the main hall booking situation was even worse.
Spring Festival is a significant traditional festival for Chinese people. It is a time for family reunion and praying for happiness for the coming year. Eating outside becomes a trend when a big family gathers, as it is a way to save dinner preparation time to have fun.
