A longtime Greenwich restaurant space is getting a new chapter this summer as a new Chinese restaurant prepares to open on West Putnam Avenue.

Lunar, owned by Bill Xia of STEAM Asian Kitchen, will open at 420 W. Putnam Ave. in the former Panda Pavilion location, with a soft opening expected later in July.

Xia said the restaurant aims to bring more traditional Chinese dishes to Greenwich, including Peking duck, handmade dim sum, clay hot pots, xiao long bao, bamboo fish, mapo tofu and boba teas.

The menu will be influenced by the style of chef Peter Chang, whose Sichuan restaurant at Stamford Town Center closed. Lunar’s head chef previously worked as Chang’s head chef.

“Greenwich doesn’t have many choices for authentic Chinese food,” Xia said.

A new space, a familiar location

Xia, who opened STEAM Asian Kitchen at 374 Greenwich Ave. in 2023, said the smaller location limited his ability to expand the menu and operations.

The West Putnam Avenue restaurant has undergone a major renovation, including a new kitchen, grease trap, furniture, full-service bar and updated dining room. The former sushi bar has been removed, and the property will offer parking and a landscaped patio.

The location previously housed Panda Pavilion, which opened in 1988 and was operated by Danny and Angie Chu for decades.

Xia said he understands the significance of taking over a space with a long history in the community.

“It represents a lot of people’s Greenwich memories,” he said.

Lunar will offer dine-in service, takeout and full liquor service. Xia also plans to hire Greenwich high school and college students for part-time positions, continuing a practice he began at STEAM.

A specific opening date has not been announced, but the restaurant is expected to begin its soft opening later in July at 420 W. Putnam Ave.