Innovation is not usually associated with the Chinese restaurant scene. But at last something different is starting to happen and whilst not strictly innovative, it is at least new to this Fair Isle. Pan restaurants along with the WH Lung oriental supermarket chain have found a new way of doing things that breaks the tradition of what people have come to expect of a Chinese restaurant in Britain. This applies to both Chinese and English people. Let me explain.
Most Chinese restaurants come in one of two flavours.
There are those that cluster together as part of a recognised geographical area, which is then dubbed Chinatown, for instance around Lisle Street in London, Faulkner Square in Manchester and Nelson Street in Liverpool. The former will attract both Chinese and English diners, as authentic Chinese cooking will be available. However the latter type will have an almost exclusively English clientele. The Tai Pan fits into neither category, in fact it would not be untrue to say that it is creating its own market with an out of town location, purpose built facilities and plenty of secure parking. This model represents a well-tried formula for retail outlets and superstores, but for as vertical a market as Chinese food and provisions, this is new ground indeed.