China Delight

Interview by Wenzhong Chen Written by Elise Krentzel

You don't feel like you're walking into a Chinese restaurant here. No, you don't need to rub the sleep out of your eyes or shake your head. It's not a dream. It's the product of good design and smart marketing, appealing to the local population without kowtowing to a cliched version of what a Chinese American eatery is, was, ought to be.

Canary yellow matte walls against oak wood floors in varying shades from blonde to cherry match leather booths sleek in their mustard yellow and chocolate brown. Smooth lacquered wood chairs of cherry and tabletops of same material create a well orchestrated room. Placemats of red and white give a flash of color to the serene surrounds. Small black and white landscape photographers hang one per booth on the walls. A Japanese styled simple wooden screen separates the main dining room from the entrance. It's an inexpensive way to create sections and it works. Potted plants add life in select areas of the room. A full lounge bar with flat screen TV is a meeting point for singles who mingle or couples who like relaxing after a hard day's work.

Classy Atmosphere breeds Stylish Cuisine

150 revelers can enjoy a relaxed meal in the 4,000 square feet of modern dining space, be it the Szechuan Hunan and Cantonese cuisine in this up-market eatery. Over 100 Chinese American items are served home-style; regional specialties are the name of the game. Ever since 1994 when Mr. Michael Qiu opened China Delight, he's updated the menu annually to reflect the changing tastes of his customers.

The overriding sweet and sour preference of his customers doesn't stop his chefs from refining the menu, adding a bit of spice here, pinching there. To date, most of the requested items are perennial: General Tso's Chicken, Four Happiness, Hong Kong Styled Fried Noodles, Spicy Prawns. Four Happiness is prepared with jumbo shrimp, chicken, beef and pork strips, stir fried with mixed vegetables in a spicy sauce. The outstanding flavor is unforgettable.

Mr. Qiu tries “to constantly wow my customers with the most innovative inspirations. I offer authentic and exquisite Chinese cuisine of the highest quality”.

China Delight has altered its menu to reflect upon the growing number of requests for food that is steamed or without any MSG, salt, oil etc. Michael Qiu counters with an increasing large selection of tofu and vegetable dishes. Soybeans and tofu have been consumed in China for millennia with the understanding of the benefits such as longevity, high quality protein without animal fat and other benefits. “It is the most-loved healthy food of our customers”, he adds.

Mr. Qiu sums up his approach towards serving fresh food. “To ensure freshness, we order provisions on a weekly basis and spare no efforts in our quest for top quality produce.

Everything we use is absolutely fresh and of good quality because our customers wouldn't have it any other way.”

A Strong Foundation To Build Upon

The anchor in Mr. Qiu's business are his staff. The professionalism and hospitality warded customers has kept him in a positive financial position since the opening of his restaurant. That is no mean feat. The warmth and sincerity, passion and zeal his staff members emulate is something to behold. In fact, the owner is almost childlike in his amazement at how the staff treat him and one another with a friendliness not commonly seen between boss and employees. That's the reason strict rules are not enforced nor necessary. The staff are disciplined enough to carry out their tasks efficiently and creatively. Effective communication is evident based on this flow of language between staff and owner: like a river to the sea.

Willpower Wins the Day

To be determined while dedicated in a down-to-earth manner, that is how Michael Qiu met his fate. Because the restaurant business is tough, requiring ungodly hours and tremendously hard work for those who wish to succeed, it is not for the faint of heart. When he came to America in 1990 seeking a better life, he started as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant while finishing school. Four years later he faced a dilemma as he was about to graduate.

”I had enough experience to start my own business but didn't know what to choose as my direction.”

He found his niche in the food service industry and opened his first restaurant, a take out.

That little eatery eventually expanded into the current China Delight. It was half take-out and half dine-in. Although business was rough going at the beginning and neighborhood diners seemed reluctant to step into the unfamiliar restaurant, Mr. Qiu kept his will at work. He innovated. Handing out menus on the street to spread the word brought in business. The approach actually paid off in the end.

Applause Please

Proof of Michael Qiu's staying power is in media praise. Besides being written up several times in the local Somerville Journal, in 2007, China Delight was awarded in the Top 100 Best-Value Chinese restaurants in the USA, voted by local customers. Again, in 2008, they were honored as one of the Top 100 Local Favorites Chinese restaurants. Michael Qiu modestly explains, “to be honest, fame or honor is not what we are seeking, just customer recognition.” And customer recognition is exactly what they have. Yet Mr. Qiu will not stop making progress. That goes against his grain. He will he says, open another upscale eatery outdoing China Delight.