Chinese Garden
by Nico Wind
The Chinese Garden Restaurant and Lounge, at 410 S.E. 162nd north
of Stark, has begun to spark up some new exciting fun. Not only does
the restaurant offer really delicious Chinese food with a large selection
of Chinese and American cuisine, but the service is great too.
Bartender Kerrie McCurley is like a people magnet; she seems to know
and genuinely care about everyone who comes in and she is very proud
of her place of employment. McCurley, along with Elma and Linda, work
very hard at keeping the customers happy. Her employers, Suzy and Sunny
Chan, have owned and operated the Chinese Garden Restaurant and Lounge
for over 10 years. They have a great rapport with their employees and
people who visit their establishment.
As you walk into the lounge at the Chinese Garden, it’s unlike
a lot of clubs that feel dark and confined. This lounge is a large
open room that is well-lit and ventilated. At the far corner of the
room is the Karaoke booth; the J.B.L. sound system is hung and correctly
aimed across the dance floor, which provides the most efficient sound
in a room that size.
Greg Flores has hosted the Karaoke at the Chinese Garden for almost
a year. With about five years of KJ experience under his belt, he is
a great asset to the business. A professional drummer around the Portland
scene for about six years, Flores has played with various styles of
bands. He believes this experience gives him a diverse knowledge of
music, so that he can provide good service to the Karaoke customers
that have grown to love him. Karaoke is six nights a week, Monday -
Saturday at Chinese Garden.
Flores is helping update the new library of songs that the Chinese
Garden Lounge is slowly purchasing, by request of the regular customers.
They plan to have a Karaoke contest in the near future that will include
gift certificates and cash prizes for the winners.
One of the Chinese Garden’s most loyal Karaoke customers
is Rhonda Newhouse, who comes every night especially to sing Karaoke.
Newhouse
says she totally loves the place and the staff and she claims its because
of how well she is treated there that she is so loyal. Newhouse is
disabled and confined to a wheelchair, so she is unable to simply drive
to the lounge to enjoy singing; her transportation to and from the
Chinese Garden is provided through the Tri Met lift program and the
funding is through Community Vision and her monthly income. Can you
imagine the kind of dedication and loyalty it takes for her to be
a patron every night? That says a lot about a place!
If you are interested or you know someone who is disabled and might
be interested in joining Ronda Newhouse once a week to sing Karaoke
at the Chinese Garden, Tri Met offers great transportation services
that can accommodate groups of up to 16 and you can also contact
Community Vision for more information.
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