Let's Eat Out - Light and flavorful meals at China Palace

Breezy, balmy and beautiful is the kind of weather that makes your appetite want something light, tasty and full of flavor: heaps of steamed rice, lightly sauteed vegetables with the choice of beef, chicken or pork.

China Palace has always been of one my favorite restaurants, especially on a budget. (I have two children, and the word budget is one of our mottos.)

Owner John Cai (pronounced Chai) has created a successful Chinese family-style restaurant with the emphasis on "family." John's wife, brother, brother-in-law, sister and sister-in-law all work at the China Palace. They work so well together that it doesn't seem like work. It's more like they want you to share their table.

When you walk into the China Palace, there's a clean feeling you get about the place with airy spaciousness, wide aisles and comfortable booths. That's so important to a big girl like me. I can't began to tell you how many times I have had to squeeze myself into a booth and felt like a cow. (Can I hear a moo?)

China Palace's busiest time is lunch. They have a good lunch buffet and a drive-through. I've never seen a Chinese restaurant with a drive-through before.

But I went inside and sat down with John to ask him some questions.

Rhon: Where did your love of cooking come from?

John: My mother. She was a very good family cook. As a child I was always interested in cooking. My mother taught me to cook. I began to prepare and fix the family meals. The neighbors would ask my mother sometimes, "Who's cooking tonight?" "Johnny" she would say. She was very proud.

R: When a first-time customer walks in, what would you recommend from the menu?

J: I always like to ask the customer first. Do you like meat or vegetables more? Do you like hot and spicy? Do you prefer steamed or fried rice? From these answers I can tell what the customer would like. We want to do it right the first time so the customer will return the second time.

R: How long have you lived in Cape Girardeau?

J: We have lived in Cape about 11 years. We like the smaller town feel. People are more open. They are more friendly here.

R: How long has China Palace been open?

J: About eight years. We have a good location, and we get a good lunch crowd from the hospitals and the university and the local businesses. We have been very fortunate. I still believe to run a successful business is one customer at a time.

Cai also isn't one to sit on his laurels. He continues to study with a tutor to improve his conversational English. I know some natives who would benefit from such study.

Good food and low prices aren't that easy to find. So check it out and tell John what you think.

Price guide: $

Send your suggestions or ideas to Rhon Abraham at P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or e-mail her at news@semissourian.com.