Ronald Cheng to Reopen the Original Chinatown Restaurant on Bee Caves Rd. in Westlake

30 years after a brash, young Chinese chef raised the bar for Chinese dining in Austin, that same chef, the brilliant Ronald is going to reopen the original Chinatown in the same location on Bee Cave Road in a small strip center just off Mopac.

Cheng and his wife Linda ultimately divorced and both moved on to other Chinatown endeavors around town. With his flagship store at Greystone and Mopac and another on West 5th, this will make a triumvirate for Cheng.

Construction should begin in mid-December with an anticipated opening in early Spring of 2014. I for one am buzzed. Despite some recent physical problems, Cheng is beginning to look (and act) like his former self. That’s good news if you’re a fan of Chinatown. I ate at the first restaurant 30 years ago, and it blew me away. I expect no less from this one. Stay tuned for more updates on the opening.