Posh Life - Dynasty Whips Up Buoyant East-West Fusion

• Location: 6555 HUNTER DR. ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928-7808


• Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Food.


• Restaurant Concept : Upscale


• Capacity:110


• Offers: Dine-in, Take-out and Banquet room


• Signature Dish: Lettuce Wrap, Chicken with Mushroom & Basil, Portobello Mushroom with Chinese Green


• Drinks: Soft drinks, beer, tea, milk, coffee


• Year of establishment: 2003


• Phone: 707-584-0106

This relative newcomer to the American Chinese dearth of restaurants is keeping pace with the competition by offering some off the radar offerings, not usually seen at Chinese restaurants such as Portobello Mushroom with Chinese greens, Chicken with Mushroom & Basil and Lettuce Wraps. It may be a misnomer to call the food Chinese American, when in fact it is inventive fusion.

Opened in 2003, owner Chanel Zeng took it over with a clear concept in mind. She wanted to create an up market dining experience for locals and tourists alike. Part of this desire had to do with her own sense of taste, style and class. She herself embodies the meaning of sassy.

That meant an investment resulting in a total renovation from tip to toe. She wanted to make a dent, a memorable return destination for savoring a fancy experience.

Located in the center of town near the City Hall, there are some super shopping centers and electronic factories nearby. Sonoma State University is close to the restaurant. It's easy-to-find and once discovered your dining experience is large. Not least because it is the biggest dine-in restaurant in town. The stable stream of customers both new and regular bring out of town guests who are visiting this part of California. It's a good place to be, says Mrs. Zeng.

The 2,000 square foot upscale eatery serves 110 tables. There is a separate banquet room holding 50 for functions, parties, celebrations and meetings. In Rohnert Park, Dynasty's room is poshest. What makes it so swanky ARN wondered?

Chanel Zeng owner waxed prolific, “the soft warm yellow light emanating from the lanterns are hand-made. A few traditional Chinese pictures featuring nature and flora are hung on the walls embedded with different styled lanterns around the frames. A wooden fan whirls in the corner while the spotlight focuses on a huge landscape painting depicting serene and peaceful country living.

Round tables accommodate four to six persons and quadrate tables can seat four. The tables are covered in crisp white linen freshly laundered with good quality silverware. The entire interior is done up in browns. The chairs, tables, carpet are in various shades of brown suggesting a noble and elegant environment. American music of all colors are played – radio rock, classical, new wave... you will find whatever you're chosen genre is.

The Food

We have always been ahead of the curve recognizing that healthy eating is part and parcel to life in northern California. Most of our dishes are good for our customers. Items are cooked with little oil and salt. You will not get a sodium overdose here, states Mrs. Zeng.

Customers return again and again because many of the listed menu items are not featured elsewhere. Secondly the health-conscious diners are very satisfied. Lastly “royal service” as quoted by a local newspaper reporter, keeps the customers satisfied.

On special holidays or festivals we check with our customers to gauge whether they will accept special dishes. Then we add them to the menu. Customers can reserve portions as well. We are consistently updating our menu and our customers have come to expect that from us.

Service

The waiters will stand table side to help customers make a lettuce wrap or instruct them how to do it themselves. Watching a customer dab the pine nuts, chicken and shrimp onto the lettuce is enjoyable for our staff.

Hygiene is highly promoted at Dynasty. It is the basic guarantee for good service, says Mrs. Zeng. It is spotless all over, free of debris and leftover food. The Health Department gives Dynasty overall high marks when it comes to its excellent condition in every part of the establishment.

A family like relationship exists between staff members and the owner, all of whom are long term employees. Caring goes on in daily life between boss and employees. This spills over to the customers as well. The owner sees her customers as an extension of her family. Some of the customers miss Chanel Zeng very much when she takes a holiday with her family.

Yet how does she manage her professional and private time? In a direct manner she admitted to ARN, I like my family more than I like my restaurant yet my time is balanced well. My family supports my career. My daughter used to help me, she smiles wistfully. On weekends we go out as a whole family enjoying our time together.

Besides family days, Chanel Zeng likes jogging and swimming to keep fit. She has her eyes on opening up another sub-restaurant which specializes in take-out. She is currently undergoing prep work on her new concept.