The Mayflower Follows in the Footsteps of the Founding Fathers

Fact Sheet:

- Name: May Flower
- Location: 9 Depot Sq. Ipswich, MA 01938
- Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Food, Japanese, Thai food, Fusion
- Restaurant Concept : Upscale
- Capacity: 100
- Offers: Dine in, Take-out
- Signature Dish: Baked Scallop, Pineapple Chicken, Mango Shrimp/Chicken, Crispy Tender Beef.
- Year of establishment: 2008
- Phone: (978) 356-9878
- Website: http://www.mayfloweripswich.com
- Owner: Eddy Zou

Many Americans can claim their ancestry from the original Mayflower Pilgrims. Those who sailed first from England and Scotland and then to Holland before making their way to America were hardworking pioneers. Their beliefs, at the time, were out of sync and too modern for the existing powers ruling England. So off they went risking their lives until they arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Today, some four hundred years on, a Chinese born pioneer has founded a fusion restaurant, one of several he owns, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It's called the May Flower, perhaps in honor of those who started with nothing and built a life for themselves. A life, that would later be the bedrock of America. In 1992 when Eddy Zou stepped onto these shores he knew he needed to continue his education if he was to get anywhere in life. Luckily he had relatives to assist him. He enrolled in high school and began working as a busboy – the usual ladder up in the Chinese restaurant industry.

A quick study with a hearty ambition, one year later he took over a take-out from a relative. Since then he's opened 8 restaurants. Under his belt are take-outs to upscale dining in establishments which number two.

Fusion Galore

Ipswich's first Asian upscale dining experience opened in 2008. Giving rise to the reality that even in the “heartland” of small town America, there is no denying that Americans want another type of cuisine to offset the commonplace Americanized Chinese - that is so much a part of the culture.

Eddy is adamant about offering customers change. The menu changes weekly with specials added as in mostly all non-Asian upmarket establishments. He is keeping current with what is deemed absolutely normal in mainstream American dining. He offers other ingredients to meld with the Japanese, Chinese and Thai offerings. May Flower is the only one in the area with a sushi bar and bar counter dining service.

For instance, one of the top sellers, Baked Scallop, is prepared with chopped up U-10 jumbo scallops baked with spicy mayo and tobiko. The scallops uses are very fresh. The finished plate tastes crispy, winning the hearts of many customers. Most of Mayflower's dishes are prepared with combinations of Chinese cooking techniques and foodstuff with a western styled sauce. Each dish at the May Flower differs from the local competition.

Pineapple Chicken, Mango Shrimp/Chicken, Crispy Tender Beef, Thai Styled Curry, and Chili Jumbo Shrimp & Scallops, are also ordered on a regular basis as well. There are over 150 items to choose from guaranteeing customer's a range of choice to stave off boredom. Yet the overriding flavor the populace of Ipswich chooses, is a sweet and sour taste.

Stir frying is a mainstay although when healthy dishes are requested boiling and steaming come into play. Naturally no MSG, little to no salt or oil go hand in hand with this type of order. Seafood works best in this regard says Eddy. Scallops or shrimps won't be harmed by the cooking techniques whereas meat would ultimately change its constitution.

The Total Dining Experience

Enter a rich brick brown Burgundy colored room of 3000 square feet. The walls are stepped blonde stonewood giving the effect of multiple ridges jutting from the walls. The dark wood tables are lacquered to a shine worthy of a Edo era rice bowl. Eddy redecorated May Flower when he took it over to create a western open styled non-Chinese décor. The ambience and materials used are perfectly woven into the concept. This is why there is a seamless blend of creative ambience and cuisine, says Eddy. In other words, the idea works!

Five Star Service through Meetings

Each visitor is treated like a VIP, as would be expected at any upscale eatery. Here it is guaranteed. The staff are well trained and understand the true essence of customer service, American style. Any complaint or opinion, comment or criticism a customer has is well taken into consideration. Monthly meetings amongst staff are held to discuss issues of concern.

No restaurant is born perfect admits Eddy. This is why each staff member is given clear cut responsibilities and jobs to run the restaurant efficiently. New rules and service tips are also discussed at the meetings so we improve upon our methods of communications with customers.

What we don't want, adds Eddy, is customer dissatisfaction. One way to ensure return business is through innovation and change. Key words these are! That trickles down to the changing menu discussed earlier as well as service methods, management methods and humanistic approaches, keeping abreast of what's new on the market and other little details that make a big difference.

In the future, Eddy would like to open another upscale Chinese restaurant while improving the image of Chinese restaurants amongst the American populace.

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