A NEW Chinese restaurant – offering the authentic taste of the Orient – has opened in Basingstoke’s Top of The Town.

Tang Chinese Restaurant is in Winchester Street and specialises in Cantonese, Szechuan and Peking cuisine.

The restaurant is run by manager Wing Chan and head chef Peter Houng.

Hailing from Hong Kong, both Wing and Peter each have more than 30 years’ catering experience, having worked in some of London’s top Chinese restaurants.

The restaurant is based in the former Wusungdan buffet restaurant, but the premises has been completely transformed.

Especially pleased with the sumptuous décor, Wing said: “We like to think we’ve brought a little bit of China to Basingstoke. We’ve certainly got the perfect environment for a romantic dinner for two, or a place to celebrate or relax with family and friends and enjoy some fantastic Chinese food.”

The luxurious air-conditioned restaurant, which has a full bar, can comfortably sit 128 people. In addition, there is a VIP room which can accommodate 24 people, plus a private karaoke room where up to 12 people can sing to their hearts’ content.

Rooms can be hired for business events, private meetings and office parties, plus birthday and Christmas dinners.

Another feature of the restaurant is that it will be hosting regular event nights, such as the one taking place tonight where the Legends of Swing tribute group will be performing.

Upbeat about the new venture, Wing said: “Business has been good, and we’ve had a very good response from local people. We want to give our customers an authentic Chinese experience – our food is cooked to the highest standards as head chef Peter insists on using the freshest and best ingredients to give our guests the very best dining experience.”