Forget the buffet style Chinese food. JK China Garden is Chinese, but it's definitely not your neighborhood cuisine express joint.

It's upscale, but not outrageously expensive. Authentic, but not off-puttingly exotic. Fancy enough for a special occasion, but not at all pretentious. In short, it's one of the area's best Chinese eateries and one of the best new spots to open this year.

Located at 4011 E. Renner Rd., #128, the stylish space is done up in shades of elegant mahogany and beige with architectural elements and drapes dressing the windows. Contemporary lights hang overhead, and exotic red lanterns cover the sky of the dining room.   Two man-tall authentic vases make the entrance very inviting for our guests.  

But owners Kelvin and Johnny have done more than gussy-up the place. The menu is even more inspiring than the setting. The chef brought his 28 years experience of authentic Chinese cooking.  The first step of his secret of success?  "the finest and freshest material to begin with".  The chef insists to pay premium for the highest quality ingredients and verify the goods procured in person every time.  If the materials fail to meet his standard, he simply sends them back.  

Like a musician, a chef needs inspiration.  Honed with 30 years experience, chef Johnny has come to a stage that one can immediately tell the food is from Chef  Johnny’s wok or somewhere else.  For example, the Orange Beef is made from the finest flank steak which is lightly breaded fried to crispy and simmered with orange peels and red sweet peppers in a special hot sauce.   

The service in the house is inviting and unforgettable.   Our matre'de has been in the restaurant business for 25 years and is very empathic.  He will satisfy any special requests to his utmost capability.   That is why our patrons keep coming back.

These are the touches that can turn a good dining experience into a great one and transform a first-time visitor into a regular diner. JK China Garden may not be your typical neighborhood sweet and sour chicken joint, but it's certainly an asset to the Richardson neighborhood lucky enough to land it.