Chapter 66: Yipinlou Opens
On the opening day, the entrance of the restaurant was beautifully decorated with red silk.
Princess Lejia also invited a famous lion dance troupe from the capital to perform at the door, which made the scene extremely lively.
There were many carriages parked in front of the restaurant, and one could tell at a glance that the people inside were either rich or noble.
Even the common people passing by were attracted and started to guess which noble person opened this restaurant.
"This restaurant looks so grand, the owner must be someone extraordinary."
“I heard that this is a shop opened by Minister Shen’s daughter, and even the plaque in front of the door was bestowed by the emperor.”
"It seems that Princess Lejia and Grand Tutor Zhou's granddaughter also have a stake in it. They opened this restaurant together."
"No wonder it was so grand and His Majesty even gave a plaque to him."
"Looking at this situation, the things inside should be pretty good."
“I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be cheap.”
"If it looks good, we can sit down on the first floor and try it."
"Okay, I'll go in and take a look in a bit."
…
After the lion dance performance, the restaurant officially opened, and the people who had been gathered outside the restaurant to discuss and those who were sitting in nearby carriages to observe secretly came in in twos and threes.
The waiter in the restaurant skillfully served tea to the guests and brought out the menu that had been prepared long ago.
"Sir, this is the menu of our restaurant. What would you like to eat?"
Chen Huazheng had three menus prepared based on the dishes served at Yipinlou at different time periods. It was morning and the restaurant was serving morning tea, and the names and pictures of the snacks appeared on the menu one by one.
Looking at the vivid and delicious pictures of snacks on the menu, some people who had originally just planned to join in the fun started to get excited.
"The food here is quite novel, and it looks like it's delicious."
"Or we can order one of each and try it."
"Waiter, give me a portion of these shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, and barbecued pork buns."
"I want steamed pork ribs with garlic sauce, chicken feet, tripe, custard buns, golden lava buns, radish cake, water chestnut cake..."
"I'll have an order of everything on the menu. And a pot of the best tea you have here."
"Okay! Coming right up!"
Yipintang is built by the river, covers a large area and has three floors in total.
The first floor is the lobby where guests can sit wherever they like.
The lobby on the second floor is quieter and has private rooms available.
The window seat faces the sparkling river surface, and you can dine while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
The third floor is a private room, from which you can have a panoramic view of the hustle and bustle and scenery downstairs. The sound insulation is also very good, and it is generally a place for dignitaries.
Chen Huazheng, Princess Lejia, and Zhou Ying were currently staying in a private room on the third floor with the best view.
Princess Lejia looked at the packed hall downstairs and swallowed the shrimp dumplings in her mouth.
“I didn’t expect so many people to come now.”
She followed Chen Huazheng and Zhou Ying to the restaurant early in the morning to check out the opening and have morning tea.
I originally thought that not many people would come here for breakfast, at least around noon, when there would be more customers in the restaurant.
Unexpectedly, the first and second floors were full in an instant, and even the private rooms on the third floor were booked.
"It should be that the news of His Majesty bestowing the plaque has spread, which has attracted many people."
Zhou Ying happily ate the spare ribs and taro. The spare ribs were so tender and smooth beyond imagination.
Even the taro steamed underneath with the spareribs is fragrant, soft and chewy, and melts in your mouth.
Because the taro absorbs the juice of the pork ribs during the steaming process, it has a unique sweet taste when chewed.
Shen Huazheng picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.
"Whether these people are here to show their support or to find out more, at least our restaurant's reputation has spread."
Many high-ranking nobles in the capital had guests coming to their homes. Some who had not arrived yet asked their servants to reserve private rooms first, so the private rooms on the third floor were snapped up in an instant.
"That's right," Princess Lejia said as she picked up a piece of radish cake, dipped it in hot sauce and put it in the bowl.
"No matter what their purpose is, as long as they eat the food in our restaurant, they will definitely not want to leave."
Even His Majesty and the Queen Mother couldn't move their feet after eating the food made by Zheng Zheng, let alone others.
Zhou Ying also nodded to show her agreement.
There shouldn’t be many people who can refuse the food that Zheng’er came up with.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
