After many weeks of refurbishment, the China Pavilion's famous "Lotus Blossom Cafe" is finally ready for its guests with a brand new interior, bright and fresh and a new menu (Well, according to General Manager Stephen Fan, 70% new!), all expertly and lovingly prepared by Head Chef Wei Zhon Xing. Mr. Wei is also the Head Chef for the "Nine Dragons" table service restaurant at the Pavilion. (See the menu picture for details!)
The Café opened this morning, greeting guests with all new interiors, beautiful blue-trimmed octagon windows on either side of the queue area, surrounded with tiled mosaic pictures of, what else but pink Lotus Blossoms! The menus above the registers with pictures of your favorite dishes are plasma monitors which show a different dish as you watch. The two new dining areas are also bright and colorful, the room on the right has a bright tiled rear wall, new orange light fixtures and of course, new tables and chairs. The dining area on the left has a nice lime-colored tiled wall and the same new fixtures and furniture.
The renovation is tastefully done. The whole café to me appears "Bigger". This is one of my Wife's' and mine favorite "Counter-Service" restaurant and when we are in EPCOT, it is really the only place we go for our lunch. You can credit that loyalty to Mr Wei, the head chef. Unlike many "Chinese Restaurants", the food here tastes fresh and light, and more importantly, it does not have that "Heavy" MSG" taste. In fact, all of the dishes we have eaten here are not overly spiced in either direction, this of course because of the skill of Mr. Wei. Of course, you can add your own spices from the counter at the back.
The cast members seem to really make you feel at home here. A very cheery "Welcome to China" and big smiling faces greet every guest as they enter. It is just a great way to start a meal, and with all the new trappings and new menu, this Oriental Treasure will be delighting guests for some time to come.