The legendary Yangtze Chinese Restaurant on Van
Horne Avenue in Montreal, which was destroyed by fire on December 3, will rise
from the ashes. Mel Leitman of Cavendish
Business Consultants has confirmed to me that owner Marco Yau plans to rebuild. That will
take several months, so here is the really big news!
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| Mel Leitman |
Yau
has purchased the Tchang Kiang Chinese Restaurant at 6066 Sherbrooke
Street West in NDG. It closed last July after 35 years in business. Yau will
rename it Tchang Kiang by Yangtze and hopes to have it fully operational before
January 1. New menus are being ordered and the entire Yangtze staff – chefs,
waiters and drivers- will move over to the new location, which seats about 75 people.
The complete Yangtze original menu will be available,
as well as all of the popular choices from Tchang Kiang. When the original
restaurant is restored, they will operate at two different locales. Do this
sound like a chain in the making?
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| Joe Lipkowicz snapped this shot after the fire. |
Last Sunday night I posted an item
about the fire on my Suburban blog. It resulted in the most significant
response to any other blog entry, with people writing to me and leaving comments
from around the world. It is absolutely remarkable what a following the Yangtze
has.
I expect there to be quite a buzz
about the new location. Leitman, by the
way, would love to hear your suggestions. He can be reached at cavbizconsultants@gmail.com.
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| Artist Carole Spandau's beautiful drawing of the original restaurant's facade.
Regarding the above painting, I contacted Carole Spandau who explained: "I painted it when they had the elaborate original marquee. That particular marquee was something that I as an artist was compelled to paint. The uniqueness of its design, the powerful warm colors and the overall towering effect it had on the Van Horne landscape was irresistible to me as a painter. I have painted it many times since and I do miss being able to sketch it from life in all its splendour and glory. That's why we artists are drawn to record the passing face of our city..".
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Ah the good old days! I used to buy 10 egg rolls at $0.20/per and eat them all. MMMMMMM better than Tasty Food Pizza and less expensive than a pizza.
ReplyDeleteThe original spot is the only place where our hearts are!! I know Tchang Kiang while their food is good their prices are riduculous!!!
ReplyDeleteVan Horne is the original, the best and the only spot where our families went to and continued to go too.Generations have been loyal to the same spot. Changing locations would never be the same!
Heather Teich
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-yangtze-restaurant-on-van-horne-avenue-montreal-carole-spandau.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike for showcasing my oil painting of the Yangtze Restaurant. I used to live a block and a half from the Yangtze many years ago and and of course it became one of my favorite restaurants. Painting that one-of-a-kind spectacular marquee was a thrill for me because it allowed me to share with my viewers and art collectors a very unique and important part of our Montreal heritage. I have included a link to my fineartamerica web site where dedicated Yangzte fans may purchase prints, posters or greeting cards of this painting. I feel honored to play a small role in keeping the memory of this fine establishment alive and vibrant for all Montrealers near and far.
Carole Spandau, Montreal
Myer from Vancouver.
ReplyDeleteLeft Montreal 2 1/2 yrs ago, but still went to the Yangtze when in Montreal.
Our children and grand children only new that Chinese food was eaten at the Yangtze in Montreal
cannot wait for the yangtze to reopen - mmmm those egg rolls, won ton soup and my favorite garlic chicken livers in the rubt foos special sauce
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! i was just there in july. I make it a point to go there whenever i come back home to MTL.
ReplyDeleteI think that the true secret of the world's best egg roll is the delicious combination of Yangtze's egg roll and that amazing plum sauce with which it is accompanied. I've been told by the lady at the cash that the cook that came up with the recipes for both has been with them for over 40 years, and is in his late 80's. He tried to retire, couldn't handle the non- activity of retirement and came back. The woman also assured me that even if he retires or his health fails, that they will continue to use his recipe for both the egg rolls and the plum sauce. What a relief!!
ReplyDeleteThe plum sauce doesn't taste the same at the new location. Very disappointed.
DeleteThe reason it doesn't taste the same is the plum sauce is now merely RAW CORN SYRUP with some artificial flavoring added. It is quite literally vomit inducing, I kid you not.
DeleteUnfortunately all their recipes have completely changed since re-opening at the new location, and not in a good way. The food is so bad it is inedible. Even their staple egg-rolls and fried noodles which they were famous for are no more, replaced with something unrecognizable and awful tasting. Try it and judge it for yourself if you don't believe me, but chances are you will be vastly disappointed.
This restaurant has no relation to the Yangtze that burned down, in essence it just borrows the name. I hate to say it, but the Yangtze is no more.
I really hope it reopens quickly and the get back their original flavor!! I love those egg rolls and plum sauce! My whole family does actually... Whenever we travel to visit our family in Toronto, egg rolls from Yangtze is all the as us to bring! Real story!
ReplyDeleteThe original location is a landmark like Orange Julep or Shwartz's, any other spot just won't be the same. I have been in Canada since 1975 and Yangtze holds many great memories, eating in or ordering delivery. The egg rolls, plum sauce, pineapple chichen and chicken chow mein are still amazing. Even though they are getting lots of competition from all the "all you can eat" places, they are still TRADITION.
ReplyDelete