Post by nzbc on Jun 2, 2023 21:45:40 GMT 12
Shangri-La Cnr Colombo & Lichfield Sts Tel. 795-720 Chinese food has come a long way since the days, not so long ago, when every Chinese restaurant in New Zealand served the same bland, vaguely oriental fare known as ‘‘New Zealand Chinese food.” Some still do, and it bears as little relationship to Chinese cooking as New Zealand canned spaghetti does to the genuine Italian article. Luckily for us, several Chinese restaurateurs have decided that we deserve something belter, and Christchurch now has a handful of really good Chinese restaurants, of which one of the best is the Shangri-La. It was the first on the scene with real Chinese cooking, and has managed to maintain its initial high standard. The most obvious difference for those accustomed to the familiar Chinese cafes is the plush appearance of the restaurant. The proprietors have gone to a lot of trouble to ensure that the surroundings are appropriate to the quality of their food. It is a large place, seating about 80 in several separate rooms entered through traditional “moon gate” archways. The rich red carpet that leads up the stairs and into the restaurant has woven into it the restaurant’s name in Chinese characters. Chinese wallpapers and paintings decorate the walls, and the lighting comes from red silk Chinese lamps.
PRESS, 21 DECEMBER 1977, PAGE 4 paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19771221.2.31?items_per_page=10&query=chinese+food&snippet=true