Visalia Famous Chinese/French restaurant?

[Andrew Gore]

I grew up in the Tulare-Visalia area of central California. It wasn't much for fine dining, but I recall hearing several times about a supposedly famous nearby restaurant. It was supposedly in the Visalia or Fresno area. It was a Chinese-style place, with a typical touristy name like Dragon Palace or something like that. Funny thing is, they actually serve French food of gourmet quality. Apparently, after they had become established as a typical Chinese place, the owners switched to French as the Chinese menu wasn't making money. Supposedly it became quite successful as a French place. I asked several locals who said they'd heard of it, but nobody actually who had eaten there. Does anybody know what I'm talking abot? Did such a place actually exist?

[Hugh Lipton]

The place I believe you are thinking of is the Imperial Dynasty in Hanford. I have throught this board learned that it is in fact still in existence but serves no Chinese food at all anymore. I'm not sure if it is even the same owners and whether they have the phenomenal wine list they did when I tried a case up there 28 - 30 years ago.
Do you remember Hagopian's Delicatessen? The finest shishkabob sandwich I every put in my mouth.
I'm pretty sure if you go to Google and plug in, in quotes "Imperial Dynasty" + Hanforc, California, that you will get something on it. I do recall that they have their own web page.

[PolarBear]

I believe Hugh is correct, it is the Imperial Dynasty. I thought sure there was a discussion on this board in the recent past but was unable to find it.

The night we were there several years ago the place was packed with CA Supreme Court justices, walked by the prep area in the kitchen and was blown away by the quantity of old rare wines they had set out to serve the boys from Sacto. I assume they were from the cellar, their wine list was extensive.

[Chino Wayne]

Imperial Dynasty was one of Richard Wing's three adjacent restaurants, in China Alley, in Hanford. I believe Richard Wing was Eisenhower's chef during the war. The Imperial Dyansty was the high end, haute cuisine venue of the three establishments and had a reputation far and wide.

I can recall a trip I made with three colleagues from work in the mid '70's to dine there. We drove up from L.A., that was the first and last time I ever stopped for lunch while on the way to dinner.

I do not believe they are still in business, at least I could not find them in the local phone book when I was in Visalia a few years ago.

[Betty]

I was there about 5 years ago and recall that there were newspaper articles in the lobby that documented the history of the restaurant. Anyway, they have a huge banquet room in the basement and the famous wine cellar. When I was there, they let you tour the wine cellar. It's really beautiful down there.

[Melanie Wong]

A large part of the wine collection was sold off when Richard Wing retired more than 5 years ago.

[Andrew Gore]

OK Thanks, folks, you got it. Imperial Dynasty in Hanford it is. I believe it's still in business; it wasn't in the Visalia phone book cuz it's not in Visalia. Chef Wing is credited with originating the 'nouvelle chinese" style that incorporated french cooking with Chinese. And I came across this about him: "Richard Wing -- Hanford. Member of the Wing family known for their Imperial Dynasty Restaurant, Richard was the personal aide to General of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Combined Chiefs of Staff George Marshall during World War II. Graduated from Visalia High School (1938)."

[Deb Dittmar]

>Do you remember Hagopian's Delicatessen? The finest shishkabob sandwich I every put in my mouth.

Oh did this post bring back memories. I've been looking for something comparable to that sandwich for over 30 years now. I've never found bread quite like it. Sometimes I see something called sheepherders bread that is similar but not quite right. Oh the way the kabob juices soaked in. yum.

I'm from Hanford and so as not to totally hijack the original topic will tell about how my dad once got so looped at the Dynasty that he couldn't get the stall unlocked in the bathroom and finally had to crawl out under the door. He wasn't a drinker but he really appreciated the wine cellar.

[diane]

yes it did and does. Its the Imperial Dynasty in Hanford, not , Visalia. There are two parts to the structure . Don't go to the chinese part for the chinese food, unless you want more ordinary stuff.Go to the continental side and you will have the best Chinese food ever, with escargo if you want. It was the only 5 star restaurnt in california, except for the San Francisco area, at one time several years back . Presidents have dined there and lots of other VIPs.

[Melissa]

Ok let me set the record straight since I am a member of the Wing family. My Uncle Richard HAS NOT retired and the Dynasty is still up and running! Unfortuntately, the wine cellar is no longer open to the public to tour. We still have the cellar, but tours are not available anymore due to the vandalism from past patrons. The Pagoda, chinese side, is no longer open and has been closed for over 30 years, but the Dynasty side, which is a continental cuisine, is still open. The Dynasty is open Tues-Sunday from 4 till close. Reservations are recommended and Richard still does his "gourmet" dinners (approx. $50/person)which consists of a five/six course dinner, please call in advanced for the gourmet dinners. Dress is business casual. Phone: [phone]

[Nancy LeVine]

Melissa, I don't know how else to get a hold of you. My father was Maj. Gen. J. Hart Caughey and was Gen. Marshall's aide during the time your Uncle was with Gen. Marshall. Is Richard Wing still alive and if so, would he remember my father. Please respond and I wll send you or the restaurant my address. I was very excited to see Richard Wing's name online. I have been going through a lot of my father's papers and also read a letter from your uncle to my father. My father also mentioned him in his diary and letters.

[mjmarchini]

i guess this place might be closed.... :(

[boltnut55]

Closed,

I found this article from March 2006: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st... This thread came up in a search of mine, and I didn't realize it was a very old thread until I started reading online about the restaurant.