Our favorite street, Ingersoll, has been going through a face-lift, becoming a destination in its own right, thanks to the Restoration Ingersoll committee. Now, drum roll….Ingersoll has the hottest new restaurant in town! I just went to the soft opening (which really means they are not open yet, but are testing the staff and kitchen) of Red China Bistro. It’s located at 2925 Ingersoll Ave., on the first floor of the new, sleek building that also houses Adio Chiropractic Clinic and Studio3. The very talented and creative sisters, Su and Salee Nong of restaurant and flower design fame collaborated on what is the best thing to happen to Ingersoll since Star Bar. (You can have the new bike lanes.) In case you haven’t guessed already — major spoiler alert — we were all very impressed! The place is artful, dramatic, elegant, graceful and harmonious at the same time — just the right amount of feng shui. These girls definitely have a flair for the sublime.
Chris Diebel was instrumental in generating a great turnout of an impressive and diverse selection of the community. He volunteered to fill the place for Salee and Su, and it was packed for both seatings. Complimentary dinner was also a nice feature. The wait staff was affable and courteous and so were we. Live music was courtesy of Fred Gazzo and The Metropolitans. He is a great entertainer, and we loved the music. I would bet he purchased that red suit expressly for this gig. (Am I right, Fred?) You will be able to “Take the Slow Boat to China” with “Fred at the Red” every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. The crowd had so much fun in the first seating eating and dancing that the second 8:30 p.m. seating group was a tad impatient to get in on the fun. We finally let them have their turn. (Somehow I had the feeling they might not live up to our exuberant example — that could be a good thing.)
I’m not sure Red’s official opening date, but they do have a very ambitious game plan, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner Monday through Saturday…and Sunday brunch! By my count, that’s seven days a week. I hope they’re eating their sprouts.
This restaurant is a result of a tremendous collaboration of the city, the Restoration Ingersoll Committee, and Su and Salee’s tenacious entrepreneurialism. The bold, chic Red China Bistro is going to bring such great cache to the neighborhood. It encourages the continued upgrade to the community, which benefits us all.
I was so happy to have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at a hotspot designed to delight the senses. (Am I gushing?) We are looking forward the fabulous success of Red. To the Restoration Ingersoll committee: I give you permission to use my slogan to boast with: “Ingersoll Has It All” and Red is the icing on the cake. I can’t wait to spend some romantic evenings sipping wine with dim sum. (No, that is not my nick-name for Billy.)
A flair for the sublime….see what I mean about feng shui?
Chris Diebel did a great job of coordinating the crowd. It was a great turnout.
Wicker and Bill Van Orsdel happy to be out.
Wicker and Salee
Fred Gazzo crooning to the crowd…
Su and Salee, sisters off the same fortune-cookie cutter.
The north wall….so “poppy”ulated.
Soozie McBroom, Wicker, Nancy Boston, Lana Jones- Gould, Diane Proctor.
Our waitress, smiling Kelsey.
Such wonderful ambiance.
The bar has brilliant colors.
