[Freeda]

We have been here for a little more than a year, and one of our very few peeves, because we love it here in The Ville, was that we couldn't find a 'replacement' for a wonderful Chinese buffet restaurant that we frequented when we lived in Louisville, which had a wonderful seafood buffet including one of our favorite food - crablegs (but only on weekends - weekdays, there was no seafood on the buffet). We tried a few Chinese buffets in the area, because it was the 'all you can eat' crablegs that we sought, but we didn't like the crablegs (too soggy, to salty, etc) at the nearby buffets we tried which had them.

Then, Friday night, it happened! We finally 'got around' to trying Beijing Garden, a Chinese restaurant with both buffet or menu ordering. We had seen it several times and just never had stopped in (and now, we could kick ourselves to have been here over a year and just now make this discovery!) We had the buffet there, and now we have found our new favorite Chinese restaurant! Even better than our old favorite in Louisville, the Beijing Garden has crablegs and shrimp, and other seafood, nightly on its buffet, starting at 3:45 PM when they begin serving dinner. (It is also open for lunch, but the seafood starts at 3:45). All of the dishes were excellent; very flavorful and fresh. The crablegs and shrimp were cooked perfectly (not always an easy find on a buffet), and some of our other favorites were the pineapple chicken, pepper steak (very tasty), the won ton soup (very rich and favorful, with deliciously filled won tons), and perfectly ripe fresh fruits and salad bar items. There were many other items. Best of all, the desserts actually tasted great, especially the chocolate brownies with peanut-butter frosting (we have eaten at many Asian buffets where everything was great except for the desserts) - and dessert includes a 'dip your own' ice cream freezer where you can choose from at least 8 (maybe more) different flavors of 'real' ice cream and sherbet (ie, not just the usual 'soft serve' vanilla and chocolate). We created our own samplers of several small scoops to try out different flavors. What fun. In an ice cream store our dessert alone would have cost almost what we paid for the buffet.

We loved it so much that we returned Saturday night. This will be a weekly stop from now on.

So, you see, The Ville really DOES have everything - we just have get out there and explore. (Well, ok, it has ALMOST everything - it does not have the beach, a large mall, or a casino - but they aren't far away).

Cheerful bright decor, nice Chinese music for atmosphere, the wait staff was cordial and efficient, and the price was very reasonable for including all you can eat crab legs - $10.95 for dinner (about $5 less than the seafood buffet we frequented in Louisville). Drinks are only $1. Lunch is around $6.95.

[Freeda]

I forgot to add that Beijing Garden is on the west side of 441/27 just a little south of Main Street in Spanish Springs (near Panera Bread) - in the same strip center as Publix and Belk.

[zcaveman]

We have been there several times for the luncheon buffet and have always found the food satisfying, tasty and a good variety of dishes.

For takeout, I like Shang Hai in Mulberry (close to home).

[GMONEY]

I guess we will have to visit that place, sounds good....

[Carla B]

We tried Beijing Garden last week only because it was there while we were out shopping and I needed to find food fast. Usually Chinese buffet restaurants are barely tolerable, but this one is really good!

[Cinco]

Ate lunch there today with two friends. We all enjoyed our lunches very much. Between the three of us, I think we sampled just about everything. Some of the items could have been warmer, but I think we'd all be willing to go back again soon.

Thanks for bringing this restaurant to our attention.