Mandarin Palace reopens: Stan ‘Preslee’ is back in the building!

One of Derry’s most popular Chinese restaurants has reopened less than year after it was destroyed in a fire.

The Mandarin Palace on Strand Road was gutted by the major blaze in March of last year, which was deemed to have not been suspicious.

The newly refurbished restaurant opened its doors at the weekend, with its owner, Stan Lee (pictured) performing a much missed routine which had become as much as part of the Mandarin Palace as its food.

Saturday night also saw the return of his alter-ego, Stan Preslee, who belted out a medley of The King’s greatest hits to the delight of his customers.

Stan said he was ‘overwhelmed’ with the support he received locally in the run-up to the re-opening.

“I had set a date for myself to re-open on January 28, and I always keep my deadlines, but it was hard work getting there,” he said

“The support I’ve received across the city has been overwhelming, with people just coming up and saying get up, dust yourself down, we’re all behind you.

“And there’s been so much excitement about the place re-opening, which has been brilliant for us and we’ve had lots of bookings.”

He added many people in the city had a strong social connection with the Mandarin Palace.

“It’s part of the fabric of the city now, like the Guildhall!” he joked.

“The Mandarin is a big part of a lot of people’s social life here in the city, and we have people aged from nine weeks up to 90 year of age in here regularly.

“We also done a fair of new work to the place and it’s looking better than ever, the décor is stunning and the customers really like it.”

He also paid tribute to all the staff at the Mandarin Palace who he said had worked so hard to get the restaurant back on time.

And of course, Stan spoke of his delight at being able to dust off his Elvis gear again.

“Oh yes, it’s great to be back,” he added..