CITYLIFE / Eating Out

Yeeha launches without Yao
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-12 09:57


Yao Restaurant in Houston.
The soft opening of Yeeha yesterday looked no different from any other newly-launched restaurant in Shanghai.

But the restaurant on Huashan Road hopes to build a repeat customer base among sports fans with a link to Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, one of Shanghai's favorite athletes.

Yeeha serves Shanghai cuisine and features Texan decor. Yu Di, the owner of the restaurant, claimed his new proposition is a cousin to the well-known Yao Restaurant in Houston, which is co-owned by the basketball star.

"We have a similar menu to the Yao Restaurant," said Yu, a major shareholder in Yao's eatery in Houston.

Yu admitted the Yao family has no investment or involvement in the Shanghai restaurant. Yet Yu insisted Yao may attend the grand opening later this month. Yao is recovering from a foot injury and may return to Shanghai for a holiday.