Facelift for an old favourite restaurant

The restaurant also plans to introduce a catering service by the end of the year.

Managing director Chaithep Lee said he had decided that after operating for 20 years, the time was right for a major renovation. Regular customers, people from several prominent and wealthy families, have gradually passed away and though their children are now patrons, it is not enough for his restaurant to survive.

"I aim to increase the number of young clients after the renovation is completed and we reopen in July or August," he said.

Chaithep originally estimated the cost of the renovation at Bt5 million but said this would likely rise to Bt8 million. He wants the restaurant's new look to be practical and to increase the proportion of European-Chinese food on the menu to 50 per cent, while reducing the number of original Cantonese dishes from 80 per cent.

The restaurant will also provide set menus for smaller groups. Formerly, the restaurant offered the special menus only for 10 customers or more. Chaithep expects revenue per client to rise from Bt600 currently to Bt800 after the renovation.

Lee Kitchen has branches at Thaniya Plaza and at the Lee Place building on Rama III Road, but Chaithep has no plans to open more at this time.

Chaithep expects revenue to increase after the launch of the catering service, which will take place after the restaurant's central kitchen project is completed in September.

In a new business for Lee Kitchen, he plans to open a shop offering mostly desserts but with bird's nest soup as its main item as soon as possible.