Willow Grove institution, Mandarin Garden, closing its doors

By

Mandarin Garden is the oldest of Micahel Wei’s restaurants. He is owner or part-owner of CinCin in Chestnut Hill, Nectar in Berwyn, Yangming in Bryn Mawr, and the new Danlu in University City. (Image courtesy mandaringardenrestaurant.com)

A Willow Grove institution is closing after more than 30 years of serving the area with what was once a menu that locals were not familiar with. Open in 1985, the area soon became enamored of its offerings from the northern portion of China.

Mandarin Garden is being sold to a real estate development company.

Longtime owner Michael Wei and his partners have arranged to sell the building to developers, who intend to erect a midrise apartment building on the site at York and Davisville roads, writes Michael Klein for philly.com.

[uam_ad id=”54865″]


“It was here in Willow Grove that owner Michael Wei and Chef MuYang Shen perfected the acclaimed fusion cuisine which has earned our sister restaurant, Yangming, the title of ‘No. 1 Chinese Restaurant in America’ as reported by CBS Sunday Morning,” reads the restaurant’s website.

“This was a hard decision,” Wei said Wednesday in an interview at the restaurant, a time warp of ’80s suburban elegance down to the burgundy and pink color scheme. “The feelings we have, it’s like we’re leaving a beloved friend. But this was going to happen sooner or later,” the story continues.

Mandarin Garden is the oldest of Wei’s restaurants. He is owner or part-owner of CinCin in Chestnut Hill, Nectar in Berwyn, Yangming in Bryn Mawr, and the new Danlu in University City. Wei said Mandarin Garden customers were being asked to patronize CinCin, 20 minutes away, and to redeem gift certificates there.

To read the complete story click here. 

[uam_ad id=”54875″]

Stay Connected, Stay Informed

Subscribe for great stories in your community!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
MT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement