DesotoExplorer.com / New chinese restaurant features buffet

Archive for Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Lap Man Yan opened his new De Soto Chinese restaurant with experience gained from his first restaurant in New York City's Chinatown.

By Elvyn Jones

April 9, 2008, 5:32 p.m.

Updated: 5:32 p.m.

The Chinese restaurant Lap Man Yan opened Friday on 83rd Street is not his first but it is much different that the one he owns in New York City.

He first restaurant, Yan said, was in Chinatown and it catered to its neighbors who want authentic Chinese food. Yan's, his De Soto restaurant at 32663 W. 83ed St., serves Chinese fare Americans expect, such a variety of chow mein, chop suey, egg foo young, General Tso's chicken and sweet and sour dishes.

Another nod to busy Americans is convenience. Although Yan's has a full menu of dinners and ala carte items, it also has a buffet Yan said was a popular item among Chinese restaurants.

Yan's daily lunch and dinner buffets have enough soups, noodles, main courses and desserts to satisfy Chinese-food lovers. The lunch buffets at $5.75 for adults and dinner and Sunday buffets at $7.50. Take out is $3.75 a pound for lunch and $4.75 for dinner.

Yan said he moved to New York from Hong Kong as a child. He worked as a waiter in a restaurant as a young man before deciding he wanted to own his own business.

He became interested in De Soto through his friendship with Thomas and Yapsporrow Yau, the owners of the Variety of Yummies, which closed last fall after three years at the same location, Yan said.

Yan's hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The phone number for carryout meals is 585-1983.