COVID Recovery: SF's Iconic Empress Of China Ballroom Transformed Into Upscale Restaurant

The iconic Empress of China ballroom in San Francisco's Chinatown is set to reopen as an upscale Chinese restaurant. Betty Yu gives us an exclusive look inside.

[davidmartin]

My response to some of the comments here is this: restaurants like these need to be supported. I am so happy to see Chinese cuisine given the care it deserves. My kids get the wrong impression that Chinese food is correlated with dirty restrooms, mismatched furniture, chipped plates, and all that. I will support the new Empress even if it costs a little more -- I've eaten at Hakkasan (London) and although the food isn't standard Chinese fare, it was technically well prepared and delicious. The dishes were innovative but still made in Chinese styles -- braising, stir-fried, with sauces such as fermented beans, oyster sauce, etc. that are distinctly Chinese. Why should French and Italian chefs have all the fun of innovating?

[ArekSuroboyo]

This is a great news! Will make my job even better now! yay

[sclogse]

Those intricate huge hanging lamps in the entrance were to die for. Hopefully they are preserved. Nothing like them.

[alisont.]

The first place I ever tried dim sum and loved it so much. I'm sorry the old Empress is gone, but I wish him much success.

[milesmayhem]

I was there back in 2002 during Fleet Week. It was awesome!

[jacobsockness]

Sounds yummy in my tummy. Will try this place.

[rybfish]

This is good news! SF needs some good news! Very cool! Congrats to everyone involved!

[snowdoggieii]

I got invited to the grand opening tasting. Excited! Please don't break my arm chef

[Ldancingcat]

Is he from Malaysia or Singapore? His accent sounds like my relatives there.

[leonpse]

Will kpix 5 do stories on small restaurants too?

[jldoramail]

I checked the menu online. It's for tourists rather than local Chinese people.

[rbzsfg]

I will be visiting.

Prepare to spend your entire paycheck.
Is gon' be espensib.

[SFPhilo]

90+% of the people living in CTown couldn't afford the old version. Doubt they can afford this one. Then again it was never really for them.

[georgiebestmanutd]

Gr8 view of Coit Tower, walk down memory lane

[davidho]

They really need to clean up the street and make sure the area is safe in order to attract people.

[georgiebestmanutd]

Miss Dave McElhatton & Wendy Tokuda.

[ebeyslough]

I hope Chinatown emerge from the pandemic with newer, more modern and relevant businesses, and stay away from being stuck in the 70s fortune cookie era of kitsch.

[sfdanceron]

You know the food is going to be expensive, but hopefully the taste and prep won't fall below the price point.

[AliasHSW]

All Chinatown shops need to modernize its retail spaces and strategies

[youfuckmywife]

Michelin Star ? It’s Fucking Chinese Food !