Would you believe that there are more Chinese restaurants in the United States than Burger King, McDonald's, and Wendy's combined? It is true, there are currently over 40,000 Chinese restaurants here, and I visited one of the newest ones in early February 2009.
I had been eyeing the "coming soon" sign for this new establishment for several months and often times wondered if it really was coming soon. Opening up a new business is always risky -- opening one during one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history is risque'.
I am however compelled to believe that this newest edition to the Chinese-American repertoire of restaurants will survive and eventually thrive at its Eastway Drive location.
My visit to the semi-grand opening of the Beijing Buffet, as usual, was unannounced; and without fanfare or celebrity. I simply walked over from shopping at Food Lion next door and after realizing that the "coming soon" sign had been replaced with a "grand opening" sign.
Upon entering this new venture, I found the staff very pleasant and professional. I simply asked for the take-out buffet deal and was then directed to the cuisine trough. As with all Chinese buffets, I had a choice of a wide selection of meats, vegetables, and rice to choose from as well as dipping sauces.
I was especially impressed when one of the staff members -- who barely spoke English -- explained to me that the green items that I was staring at at the end of the buffet line were onions. Yummy! It was even more pleasing when the cashier deducted 10% from my bill just because I was a celebrity. Just kidding! Each person that dined during the Beijing Buffet's grand opening received the same discount.
All in all, my experience at the grand opening of the Beijing Buffet's restaurant was quite pleasurable and memorable; and by the way, the food delectable! I just wish that they would put more food out on the buffet line.
Click here for address and phone number.
P.S. -- I really enjoyed the 2008 Olympics!
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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Dive N Restaurant
I have been passing by this place in Pineville, NC, for years and always wondered what they had to offer in terms of southern cuisine. Finally, on a busy Friday afternoon, I decided to stop in while the traffic thinned a bit. I was not too crazy about having to perform a u-turn with all the Friday traffic so I decided to park inconspicuously next door at the quick stop and walk on over.
I found the interior decor of this establishment quite interesting in that it featured artifacts from the good-old days -- at least for me -- from the 1950's through the 1970's. These artifacts proved to be quite entertaining as I waited for my take out order. My favorite was a scaled replica of the restaurant from years ago. It is made of real wood and I was told by my server that one of their customers hand made it using an old photograph. That feat took a lot of talent, attention to detail, and patience!
I found the staff at this establishment quite friendly and cordial as I was deciding what to order. Since it was Friday, I decided to order the fried fish plate which came with fries, cole slaw, and sweet tea. The fish was of a type that I had never heard of and turns out was a blend of two different fish species one of which was Grouper -- one of my favorites from Florida.
I was quite pleased at the two heaping portions of fish that came with my order and the friendliness of the staff. Heck, they even offered to freshen my sweet tea before I departed!
If you are going to check out this place, make sure you plan to sit a spell if its rush hour because they are located at one of the most congested intersections in the area.
Wanna Go? Click Here For Address!
I found the interior decor of this establishment quite interesting in that it featured artifacts from the good-old days -- at least for me -- from the 1950's through the 1970's. These artifacts proved to be quite entertaining as I waited for my take out order. My favorite was a scaled replica of the restaurant from years ago. It is made of real wood and I was told by my server that one of their customers hand made it using an old photograph. That feat took a lot of talent, attention to detail, and patience!
I found the staff at this establishment quite friendly and cordial as I was deciding what to order. Since it was Friday, I decided to order the fried fish plate which came with fries, cole slaw, and sweet tea. The fish was of a type that I had never heard of and turns out was a blend of two different fish species one of which was Grouper -- one of my favorites from Florida.
I was quite pleased at the two heaping portions of fish that came with my order and the friendliness of the staff. Heck, they even offered to freshen my sweet tea before I departed!
If you are going to check out this place, make sure you plan to sit a spell if its rush hour because they are located at one of the most congested intersections in the area.
Wanna Go? Click Here For Address!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Roasting Oven Review
I found this place in the most unlikely of all places -- the mall. This mall is no ordinary mall in that it caters to Latinos and is located in Ft. Mill, SC, near the Carowinds theme park. I had planned to visit this mall for quite sometime -- by word of mouth.
This mall reminds me of the most popular indoor flea markets made famous in my hometown of Miami, Florida. There you can find a bargain on just about anything at any given time. After browsing and carousing this mall I came across one of the many cultural eateries set up for business. It is called The Roasting Oven.
The name caught my attention because I am a connoisseur of rotisserie chicken. I quickly learned that this establishment indeeds lives up to its name in that it does offers delicious roasted chicken. I have also discovered that the Roasting Oven has the best guacamole sauce I have tasted to this date in history.
Their special sauce is so good you can use it to dunk fries, salad, and rotisserie chicken, and who knows what other culinary delights.
If you are going to check out this place, make sure you order the meals as opposed to the a la carte items -- it is much more economical.
Wanna Go? Click Here For Address!
This mall reminds me of the most popular indoor flea markets made famous in my hometown of Miami, Florida. There you can find a bargain on just about anything at any given time. After browsing and carousing this mall I came across one of the many cultural eateries set up for business. It is called The Roasting Oven.
The name caught my attention because I am a connoisseur of rotisserie chicken. I quickly learned that this establishment indeeds lives up to its name in that it does offers delicious roasted chicken. I have also discovered that the Roasting Oven has the best guacamole sauce I have tasted to this date in history.
Their special sauce is so good you can use it to dunk fries, salad, and rotisserie chicken, and who knows what other culinary delights.
If you are going to check out this place, make sure you order the meals as opposed to the a la carte items -- it is much more economical.
Wanna Go? Click Here For Address!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Trend Magazine Online
Alas, we have decided to continuously update Trend Magazine Online with fresh and new content as well as offer FREE listings in our business directory and event calendar. In addition, we will feature reviews by myself and you that lets you know what we like and do not like about the sites and establishments that we cover. So stop on by and check us out -- and if you like what you see and read, take out a FREE subscription!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Black History Month
February is Black History Month and contrary to popular beliefs it was not chosen because it is the shortest month in the year. Does anyone know why it was chosen? I do and I will tell you on this months 11th Annual Charlotte Black/African-American Heritage Toursm and Pilgrimage. This tour is a re-creation of a tour I directed back in August of 1998 for a group of interracial, interdenominational, and intercultural Pilgrims that walked, hitchhiked, and sailed from Boston, Massachusetts, to Senegal, West Africa.
Their goal was to pray for racial healing and atonement for the past institution of Slavery here and abroad. While in Charlotte they visited three Slave cemeteries in which they paid homage to and prayed for the souls buried at each location. It was quite the humbling sight to see Buddhist monks chant and beat drums along side Christians and other interfaith followers.
The event was so touching that I decided to offer it each year during the month of February to coincide with Black History Month. Will I chant and beat drums on each tour? Well, you just have to attend to find out! These tours are scheduled at 10 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturday February 14, 21, and 28, 2009.
Each tour lasts 3 hours and are sponsored and presented by Queen City Tourssm and Trend Magazine Online. LET THE HEALING CONTINUEtm! Hope to see you there!
Their goal was to pray for racial healing and atonement for the past institution of Slavery here and abroad. While in Charlotte they visited three Slave cemeteries in which they paid homage to and prayed for the souls buried at each location. It was quite the humbling sight to see Buddhist monks chant and beat drums along side Christians and other interfaith followers.
The event was so touching that I decided to offer it each year during the month of February to coincide with Black History Month. Will I chant and beat drums on each tour? Well, you just have to attend to find out! These tours are scheduled at 10 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturday February 14, 21, and 28, 2009.
Each tour lasts 3 hours and are sponsored and presented by Queen City Tourssm and Trend Magazine Online. LET THE HEALING CONTINUEtm! Hope to see you there!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bowling in Uptown Charlotte
Finally, bowling has come to Uptown Charlotte by way of the grand opening of the Strike City Lanes on Friday January 30, 2009. The 12 lanes are located in the new EpicCentre entertainment complex which partially opened in 2008. The center is located at the corner of East Trade Street and South College Street, next to the Light Rail Blue Line and the Time Warner Cable Arena. I will be mystery shopping this site soon and will give you the scoop on whether it's worth the trip out. I will post my update here and at Trend Magazine Online so make sure that you subscribe to my blog to be automatically notified.
Best regards,
Jay
The Tour Guide
Best regards,
Jay
The Tour Guide
New Bowling Lanes Uptown
Finally, Uptown Charlotte is home to entertainment other than clubbing. Us Baby Boomers and younger folk can now bowl a couple of frames with co-workers, friends, and family, at the Strike City Lanes located in the new EpicCentre entertainment complex located at the corner of East Trade Street and South College Street near the Time Warner Cable Arena. I will be checking out this new site myself and posting my review here and at Trend Magazine Online so make sure that are subscribed to my blog for the update.
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