Considerations for Picking Restaurants?
Recently I had heard that Shun Feng Seafood Restaurant in Richmond has gone under. I’m not sure what the reason is but my friend’s cousin had put down a deposit for her banquet later this year. Now she’s $1,000 short and have to look for another venue to hold the banquet.
I know Shun Feng was a relatively new restaurant and with the economy in recession, I wonder if others will go out of business as well. Al and I was thinking maybe when researching for a banquet venue, it might be better to stick with ones that are more established? I also heard that some restaurants change chefs very often. So even if the food taste great now, 5 months later it might be different. Just somethings we’d need to put in to considerations as well I suppose. What do you think?
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Comments
I agree with both of you. How much deposit would you be willing to put down? I have visited a few restaurants and most of them were asking for $300-500, except for Kirin ($1,000). With respect to the chefs, I think there is nothing we can do about it because we don’t know when the restaurant will change the chef…
I have heard that some restaurants change their menu and increase the price the day before the wedding (eg. replace to expensive fishes). I think we would need to put this in to considerations too…
With Shun Fung Restaurant, my friend is so frustrated to look for another restaurant for his wedding since Shun Fung closed down. There aren’t many big restaurant in Richmond… but Shun Fung may reopen again. My friend told me it was because the owner wants to close it down; however, the co-owner (The chief) doesn’t want to close. SO they are figuring out something now to reopen it. This is just what I heard so far… I have put a deposit for Gingeri for about $500 and I got them written down black and white how much the menu is that I picked so that they won’t be able to raise it before my wedding. Gingeri just renovated at the end of last year… it looked pretty nice… I will recommend Gingeri! 
Thanks Irene, Jean and Phoebe for your inputs.
I had wanted to booked Gingeri for our banquet as well but it was too small for us. I really liked the food there and the restaurant is nice. Of course the huge amount of parking space is a bonus for my guests!
I agree with Phoebe about having the menu items written on paper and signed. Actually all terms and conditions should be in a contract. This way there won’t be any “misunderstandings” later on. I’ve held several functions at hotels and know they always have agreement forms you have to sign that lists everything. I wonder if it’s the same for Chinese restaurants or are they more used to just having verbal agreements?
I am so shocked to hear about this. After reading about your blog I actually went to shun feng to check it out. It was the only chinese restaurant that I would consider for my venue (if I am having chinese food that is). I even talked to the manager who is so nice, different from other stuckups like kirin… In the end I decided on a western venue (swan-e-set) but having that place in mind for future functions like rehearsal dinner… I am speechless.
One thing I care very much about my venue is its washroom! It has to be very clean and beautiful. Washroom can also indicate how well run the place is. I need to know the hidden fees too like cake cutting fee, corkage fee, audio fee, liguor license fee, overtime fee…
Hi Dana,
Yes washroom is definitely a big thing for me too. I can’t stand dirty washrooms so I don’t want my guests to have to experience them either.
I heard that Shun Feng is now back to business..not sure if your friend go back and get the deposit back yet ~~
Also, I think Sea Harbour (the one opposite to Yaohan) might also be a good choice for wedding dinner~ I just booked that restaurant =P
Hi Netsu,
Thanks for the update on Shun Feng.
I went to a friend’s wedding at Sea Harbour couple years ago and thought it was a nice restaurant too. The food and service was good. I believe it holds up to 18 – 20 tables?
Hi Jan,
Yup. The maximum they can do is 20 tables, but I just booked for 8 tables only and took 2/3 of their space..coz we need their projector so badly..and they said in order to have the projector needs 2/3 of the restaurant..so our dinner kinda expensive now ;_; but i am sure their service and food will be good =) I have looked for other restaurants, but since my big day is a very popular day (Aug 2).. we are too late to book it..most of the good restaurants got booked already ><
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of! May be we can try negotiating for a smaller deposit amount given the current economy?! It’s funny recently I’ve visited a few Chinese restaurants inquiring for wedding banquet info. All the managers there tried to reassure us how well established & “long live” they are. I donno….it’s a risk that we have to take I guess.