Lucky for Warminster, Billy Wong has had enough of Center City.
For more than 30 years, the restaunteur has brought Philadelphians top-notch cuisine and atmosphere at more than a handful of popular establishments. But the Philly legend said he’s ready to settle down — in the peaceful Warminster Shopping Center at 340-342 York Road.
Wong’s new self-titled Chinese restaurant, set to open the first week of April, takes from all the best qualities of his previous food industry successes. A few years back, he brought Philadelphians a mixture of classic and fused French cuisine at Taste, an artsy little BYOB on West Girard Avenue. More recently, he helped create the well-known Chinatown hot spot Ly Michael, located at 101 N. 11th St., where you can find a loyal crowd of foodies and happy-hour goers on any given day.
Wong is most known, however, for the legacy he left from 2001 to 2006 in Old City at Billy Wong’s, a trendy lounge that attracted both bar-hoppers and Chinese food lovers. Westminster’s new little Chinese food gem will also bear its owner’s first and last name at the entrance, a decision Wong said he made to make patrons feel less like customers and more like guests in his home.
“It just feels more personal,” he said. “I want people to know that there’s a person behind the restaurant.”
Wong undoubtedly has restauranting — especially that of the Asian food nature — down to an art. From traditional Chinese to Asian fusion, from classy to low-key, he’s done it all, and he said he’s walked away from every restaurant success with more knowledge about how to please a community.
But in Warminster, Wong is returning to what he knows best — fresh, healthy food. He steer headed this Asian food style in 1992 when he started Mustard Greens, a clean, contemporary eatery at 622 S. Second St. in Queen Village. Like Mustard Greens, which is now under different ownership, Billy Wong’s in Westminster will offer a unique selection that is scaled down from the typical 400-item Chinese food menu — you know, the one that contains at least 30 almost identical “beef with something” dishes.
“This won’t be like any other Chinese restaurant in Warminster,” Wong said. “It’s for the health conscience person who knows what they want and doesn’t need a ton of the same choices.”
Wong said he’s looking forward to introducing affordable, fresh and delicate Chinese cuisine to Bucks County. So if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Billy Wong’s next month and introduce yourself; he’d be happy to meet you!
AroundPhilly Staff
