The Chang effect: Wooing palates, breaking hearts--- and why he left

The Chang effect: Wooing palates, breaking hearts--- and why he left

Last fall, word that a famous Szechuan chef had quietly set up in Charlottesville had foodies salivating. There was a small newspaper mention and online chatter from groupies who track his every move, but after a March 1 story in the New Yorker, diners went into a feeding frenzy.

“We were surprised that it became so popular so fast,”says restaurant co-owner John Rong during a lunch time interview last week. “We noticed business going up after the story in the Hook, too, but when that story in the New Yorker come out..."

Indeed, sophisticated palates from Richmond and D.C. began making pilgrimages to Taste of China, where–- even on cold winter evenings–- lines could be seen snaking out onto the sidewalk of the north wing of Albemarle Square Shopping Center.

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Hotseat

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Full Stories List for March 25th, 2010 issue #0912

• DRHOOK- Nose jobs: Sinus problems nothing to sneeze at

• EDITOR'S NOTE- Farewell to reviewer Steve Warren

• REALESTATE-UPDATE- OFF THE BLOCK- SOLD

• THE SPORTS DOCTOR- 40 percent solution: Ed Sec would ban flunk-heavy teams

4Better Or Worse

• 4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review

News

• Hang-ups: New venues open downtown

• Brawl overblown? Teen disputes Fashion Square claims

• Labor of love: Top chef tackles BBQ

• Lights out: Local company makes Earth Hour go viral

• Snap: MyKonos coming soon

• 'Personal reasons': UVIMCO chief Brightman inexplicably departs

• W. Alton Jones heiress dies

• 'Shattered bones,' Harringtons say Morgan's killer is 'violent, sadistic'

• New twist: Germans press for Soering release

• Uncivil discourse: Protesters disrupt Yoo at Miller Center

• Western Albemarle teen out on bond

• Snap: Where's the Mall?

• KO'd in Texas: Why new textbooks may shun Jefferson

• Photos from Taylor Swift at JPJ

• Snap o' the day: And then there were 3

• SNL worker goes on Jeopardy!

• Interview- Experimental rockers Gang Gang Dance find comfort, color in the crazy [plus, win free tickets!]

• Green acres: City grows park system for just $10,000

• Hiking 'hood? No-plow street now loses parking

• Score 24: Hook snares many journo prizes

• AG Cuccinelli to sue over Obamacare

• On TAP this week: clean drinking water for the worldââ?¬â?¢s children

• Casteen to be UVA's commencement speaker

• Snap: Spring in Belmont

Cover Stories

• The Chang effect: Wooing palates, breaking hearts--- and why he left

Cartoons

• CARTOONS

Essays

• ESSAY- Blue Bird: Have we lived up to our early potential?

Hotseat

• HOTSEAT- Hot type: McConnell upbeat on newspaper biz

Movie Reviews

• MOVIE REVIEW- <i>Dragon</i> delight: Animated film is best of '10, so far

Question of the Week

• QUESTION OF THE WEEK-How will health care reform affect you?

Real Estate - On the Block

• REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Head out: Peacock Hill house lures active types