Bamboo Garden
Bamboo Garden has been silently serving the local patrons and visitors to San Angelo for 20 years. It has grown to be a local landmark.
When you walk into Bamboo Garden, you will be greeted with smiles. In the foyer, there is an exquisite tea table placed on the carpet-covered floor. On the table is a small vase with fresh flowers whose pleasant aroma permeates the room. Next to the table is an antique-style boughpot. The foyer leads you to the dining area where the ceiling is painted white. A wooden transverse beam separates the restaurant wall into two parts. Beautiful paintings hanged on the wall accent an even soothing dining ambience.
The owner of Bamboo Garden Peter Yeh came to United States in 1985. “I was a mechanical engineer in China. It’s a complete coincidence that I transformed to be a restaurateur after coming to America,” said Yeh. People graduated in engineering love to make plans and they have a down-to-earth spirit. Yeh is one of them.
Yeh said, “When the idea of opening a restaurant flashed into my mind, I didn’t implement it right away but choose to learn the industry from the basic things. To accumulate experience, I took various jobs like cleaner and manager in different restaurants.” After one year, Peter finally made up his mind to open his dream restaurant. “I had problems deciding the type of my restaurant. Open a small restaurant? I was incapable of running it all by myself; and a fine restaurant needs much investment, I didn’t have enough financial support. After further analysis, I chose to operate a medium-sized buffet eatery in San Angelo where competition was not so tough. In this way, I could afford to invite employees. Besides, it’s easier to manage,” Yeh recalled.
In December 1987, Bamboo Garden opened it doors to the San Angelo residents. The restaurant covers an area of over 4,000 square feet. “Thanks to the effort of employees and support from customers, Bamboo Garden developed smoothly,” said Yeh. “In 1988, it was said that a competitor was planning to expand its market share in San Angelo. After I heard this information, I drove for 2.5 hours to the competitor’s restaurant. I believe the Chinese old saying of ‘Know the competitor and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.’”
When the competitor finally came, Bamboo Garden had improved its business practices to a great extent.” Since then, our sales climbed rapidly and the annual volume doubled,” said Yeh proudly. “We used the same strategy to outperform competitors whenever the new challenge came. Frankly, I need to thank all my competitors. It’s they who impel our improvement!”
Now Yeh has expanded the restaurant successfully and the current establishment takes up an area of 7,900 square feet. The sales volume keeps climbing up. “Firstly, you should be willing to invest in the pursuit of premium quality. Bamboo Garden has 20 employees. The human resource is sufficient. Therefore, we never have troubles like lack in labor. So service, sanitation and quality are guaranteed,” said Yeh. “In addition, we only use the freshest and finest ingredients. Take sesame oil for example, most restaurants only spend $21 to buy a bottle but our sesame oil costs $72. Sure enough the expensive one has better and richer flavor. ”
The kitchen of Bamboo Garden occupies an area of 3,000 square feet, which is spacious enough for the staff to work. “The kitchen is divided into many sections and each section has its own function. Besides, it is properly facilitated. High quality kitchen ensures the quality of food,” said Yeh. “The flavor of our dishes never changes.”
Chef Chunglun Ma of Bamboo Garden has worked for Yeh for more than 10 years. Yeh thinks highly of Ma, who is very dedicated and has great culinary skills. Ma is responsible for the process of researching and developing new dishes. Yeh said, “He makes our dishes extremely unique and the flavor varies, and they are able to satisfy every type of cravings.” There are vegetable bar, salad bar, desert bar, soup bar and fruit bar, providing extensive options for the vegetarians.
In order to win 2007 Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA competition, a four years old event organized by Chinese Restaurant News, Yeh recently refurnished the restaurant thoroughly and the innovated establishment looks more appealing and inviting. Brand new carpet, newly painted wall, spotless dining area and shining glass windows, all these create a pleasant ambience.
Beautiful surroundings, appealing, fresh and appetizing dishes plus sincere service will surely guarantee patrons with unmatchable dining experience. As a 20-year-old eatery, Bamboo Garden’s perseverant and consistent quality will definitely contribute to a flourishing establishment.
Newsroom of Chinese News Restaurant