In 1973 the cafe was taken over by Tommy Fong who turned the venue into a Cantonese restaurant. An advertisement from the time promised new customers would find ‘ delicacies akin to those served to Emperors in ancient China, dishes so traditional their names can't be translated, and authentic Chinese artworks on the walls.’
In later years the Fongs also offered a late night disco and over time this became more popular than the restaurant. The venue had a cult following among York students who enjoyed handfuls of prawn crackers alongside their tequila shots as they danced the night away. The disco closed its doors for the last time in 2015. The last night was attended by hundreds of patrons saying farewell to the beloved Willow and Tommy its owner.