mzaplanning

[mzaplanning]

“According to new data from the restaurant reviewing website Yelp, the share of Chinese restaurants in the top 20 metropolitan areas has been consistently falling. Five years ago, an average of 7.3% of all restaurants in these areas were Chinese, compared with 6.5% today. That reflects 1,200 fewer Chinese restaurants at a time when these 20 places added more than 15,000 restaurants over all.

Even in San Francisco, home to the oldest Chinatown in the United States, the share of Chinese restaurants shrank to 8.8% from 10%.

“Mostly, the newly minted chefs cooked quickly and cheaply. They adapted their method of cooking to American tastes, developing dishes like beef chow fun, fortune cookies and egg drop soup, often brought home in the signature takeout containers.

“They were not precious,” said Jennifer 8. Lee, a former New York Times journalist who wrote of the rise of Chinese restaurants in her book “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles” and produced a documentary, “The Search for General Tso. “These people did not come to be chefs; they came to be immigrants, and cooking was the way they made a living.”

Other immigrant groups follow a similar pattern. With social mobility and inclusion in more mainstream parts of the economy, the children of immigrants are less likely than their parents to own their own businesses.

“It’s a success that these restaurants are closing,” said Ms. Lee. “These people came to cook so their children wouldn’t have to, and now their children don’t have to.”

“In the past decade, some members of the second generation have also chosen to take charge of family restaurants. Nom Wah Tea Parlor, a New York dim sum restaurant that opened in 1920, has stayed a family business: first run by the Choy family, then the Tangs.

The 41-year-old owner, Wilson Tang, left a career in finance to succeed his uncle in 2011. Initially, his parents balked at his decision.

“As immigrants, it’s the only thing you can do; if it’s not restaurants, it’s a laundromat,” Mr. Tang said. “For me to choose to go back to owning a restaurant? That was tough for them to accept.”

Since then, Nom Wah has expanded: to another Manhattan location, to Philadelphia and to Shenzhen, China. On any given night, groups of guests wait for a table outside the Chinatown location for up to an hour, huddled in the bend of Doyers Street.

“I had this unique opportunity to preserve something that was from old New York,” he said. “I still work extremely hard. But I also know how to use marketing tools, like the internet.””

read more: 24.12.19. 

[mzaplanning]

MZA Planning are able to prepare, submit & negotiate planning applications for A3 & A5 uses. We can undertake appraisals on premises you are currently considering and offer advice on the potential for an A3 Restaurant or A5 Hot food Take-away use. We can provide detailed advice on strategies at all stages of your planning application. By utilising our planning expertise at the initial stages appeals and costly delays can be avoided.

[mzaplanning]

Atrium feature in a Radisson Blu Hotel. #hotel #atrium #Feature #glass #lightwell #Building #architecture (at Madrid, Spain)

[mzaplanning]

Nothing like a splash of colour to brighten the retail experience. Wall art as featured in Westfield London #London #art #mural #Retail #WestfieldLondon (at Westfield London)

[mzaplanning]

Happy Mothers Day, Street Art Madrid. #StreetArt #Graffiti #art #Madrid #Spain #urban #MothersDay #MotheringSunday (at Madrid, Spain)

[mzaplanning]

Had the opportunity to visit the amazing Braxted Park last year. This is the view when you enter the main gates #vista #England #countryEstate #park #braxtedpark #essex (at Braxted Park)

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Madrid Vibes, sky in the city centre decorations. #city #urban #spain #madrid #architecture #urbandesign #sky #buildings (at Madrid, Spain)

[mzaplanning]

Gold coloured doors in Madrid with an imposing presence. #doors #architecture #building #columns #symmetry #spain #gold #golden (at Carrera de San Jerónimo, 28014, Madrid)

[mzaplanning]

Fish & Chips and a Chopper Bike! in Soho London. This was my dream bike when I was younger. It's missing the gear stick. Does anyone know if it's an orginal? #Bicycle #Bikelover #Londontown #London #ChopperBike #transport #Londonislovinit #FishandChips (at Soho)

[mzaplanning]

The streets of London Town are quite often packed with hidden treasures. Here uniformity is king in this terrace in Bloomsbury #building #architecture #planning #instagram #Londonislovinit #archilovers #archidaily (at Bloomsbury)

[mzaplanning]

St Paul's Cathedral London Town #city #London #Church #instagram #building #architecture (at St. Paul's Cathedral)

[mzaplanning]

Client Testimonial: Success in #Hillingdon Council

I am extremely happy with the professional service provided by MZA Planning. I was very sad and quite stressful when ourplanning of household side extension was refused by the local authority. I did try to contact a few consulting companies. All they did was to give me a quote and urged me to pay for it. I did find MZA from google eventually. I have to say I am really LUCKY! After a quick call with them, I was invited to go to their office for a free initial consultation. After meeting Yussuf, I knew this company is a real deal. And I decided to use them before leaving their office. I told my wife we would win this case. What happened afterwards proved I made a very smart decision. They prepared my document within days and kept me in the loop at all times. Our appeal was allowed last week. I called Yussuf straightaway as the first thing I'd like to do is to say 'thank you'. Honestly, MZA helped me to build our dream house. I can still remember clearly how frustrated I was after receiving council's decision letter. If you are in the similar situation,give them a ring. You'll find out how they are. You can then make your decision from there. Thank you all again, Yussuf, Maria and Anita! A very happy couple - Hao and Rhea

[mzaplanning]

Client Testimonial: Success in #Ealing Council

Highly recommend them . Professional service 

From Hayat Ullah

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Client Testimonial: Success in #Hounslow Council

We recently used MZA on a successful appeal of a planning refusal. They were knowledgeable, pragmatic and responsive, and very good to work with. I would use them again (though I hope not to fall foul of the planners again!). I would recommend them highly.

From Colin Long

[mzaplanning]

Client Testimonial: Success in #Lambeth Council

I would like to thank you yet again for your exemplary service in winning our appeal. Always easy to contact and discuss any concerns even though the same questions have probably been asked time and time again. I thank you for your patience and time.

From Nicholas Alexander

[mzaplanning]

Client Testimonial: Committee Success #Ealing Council

I highly recommend Yussuf and his team for their services at #MZA. They worked extremely quickly to prepare notes for our presentation at the Ealing Planning committee, and Yussuf's attendance was invaluable at the committee's site visit.  We believe that their expertise was essential in obtaining our planning permission. Their relaxed and yet knowledgeable approach put us at ease and their #professionalism throughout was commendable. I would highly recommend MZA to anyone needing assistance with any planning issues.

From Katie Rice

[mzaplanning]

Client Testimonial: Success #Harrow Council

Very pleased with the services, I recomend it to anyone whose planning permission was refused due to jealously of the neighbour without any valid point or any other reason. Great job well done and greatly appreciated.

From Mr. Jaura