Welcome to Ser Chief’s Wangfu Chinese Bistro

He has done commercials, acquitted himself in TV acting (in the hit ABS-CBN soap Be Careful With My Heart) and is putting in harness his singing prowess (his eponymous debut CD was released recently).

So what is Richard Yap a.k.a. Ser Chief up to next?

Don’t look now but Richard has just opened a restaurant called Wangfu Chinese Bistro, with friends Lester Pimentel Ong and Ace Wang (from Singapore) as partners, at the intersection of Roces Ave. and Tomas Morato Ave. in Quezon City, sure that the best way to people’s hearts is through the stomach (even if he has won women’s hearts with his suave, spotlessly-clean good looks).

Wangfu was formally opened last Sunday night (Oct. 13) with fireworks and firecrackers (to shoo away bad spirits) and the de rigueur Lion Dance (for good luck) that snaked around the tables occupied mostly by Chinese guests and spat out round chocos in gold-hued wrappers. Then, dinner was served lauriat-style by waiters in synchronized motion, helped along by three tall female models in flaming red (also for good luck) who simply stood frozen at strategic spots.

Said Lester, “More than just being known for good Chinese food, we want to create the appropriate ambience” conducive to fine dining. He’s referring to Wangfu’s “ambient lighting; comfortable yet chic lounge velvet chairs; the cool palette of grays, orange and crystalline reflections as wall accents.”

Lester and Ace are also partners on two restaurants in Singapore, the hit Filipino-themed Bonifacio and the Chinese hotpot Li Li Pot.

“The cuisine at Wangfu is very close to the Filipino palate as it infuses flavors similar to our Malay roots with the delicacies of China’s Cantonese region,” Ace actually said that probably in Mandarin translated into English in the press kit.

Shown on this page were the mouth-watering dishes which were served the guests.

Funfare sat down with Richard for a brief chat.

What made you go into the restaurant business?

“The opportunity presented itself, kaya I was thinking that while I can’t handle a business myself it’s better to invest in partnership with somebody else.”

What are the specialties (aside from what the guests have just gobbled up with gusto, burping!!!)?

“More of Singaporean-Chinese cuisine.”

Any aphrodisiacs on the menu (like Soup No. 5)?

(Smiles and blushes) “I don’t think there is. ‘Yung mga ganoong exotic items, hmmm, wala.”

What does Wangfu mean?

“Wangfu refers to a place in the Forbidden Palace.”

Did you grow up on Chinese food?

“Yes, I did. My mom cooks Chinese food, but my dad does not.” (Richard is pure Chinese and speaks fluent Fookien.)

What’s your favorite Chinese food?

“So many…yes, Peking Duck.”

And your favorite comfort food?

“Dimsum, especially Hakaw (made of shrimp).”

 Do you cook?

“A little bit. I took up a culinary course.”

Your favorite recipe?

“Well, simple ones like pasta and fried rice.”

What do you usually cook for your family?

“When I have the time, I usually cook ground meat with tofu for them.”

How’s your diet?

“I just try to limit my calories in a day. Usually, I can eat rice and anything as long as not too much. I try to eat five small meals in a day.”

No workout?

“I try to do it before I leave for work.”

You have such a punishing schedule. How do you divide your time?

“As much as possible, I go straight home. Saturdays and Sundays are strictly for the family.”

How do you see life after Be Careful With My Heart (on extended run after more than a year)?

“It’s going to be exciting. It might be hard to duplicate the success of the series but we are still hoping that we can do something else that the audience will find just as interesting.”

Have you gotten used to adulation?

“Well, it’s not really the adulation that they give to me but what I give to them. I see it as a way of inspiring other people.”

If you were to do a dish to win the heart of a woman, what would it be?

“Oh, that’s hard! Ahhh, I guess it has to be dessert. Women love sweets, don’t they?”

For inquiries, call 410-0304.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)