"Even when I choose my phone number, I don't choose any bad-luck numbers," he said. "No four."

Vietnam-born ethnic Chinese Daniel went so far as to keep his surname, even though it's an error, because of luck. When he and his family arrived in Britain in the early-1980s his father, who struggled with English, filled out an immigration card incorrectly by writing his first name and surname in the same space. Immigration officials wrote the two names down as one surname and "Doctzan" came into being.

Several years ago, Daniel asked his solicitor about legally changing his name to his actual family surname.

The lawyer advised against the name change because "Doctzan" had brought him luck.

So Daniel puts stock in luck. But a look around May Sum, which sits in Upper Parliament Street in the building formerly occupied by Vision restaurant, reveals a place that's also benefited from sheer attention to detail.

In the back, a pair of enormous sculpted Chinese teapots stand guard next to the bar. Near the front, Chinese script adorns a stylish low-slung stone table that's not dissimilar in look to the ones rolled out by those hundreds of percussionists in the Olympic opening ceremony.

Scattered all around are sculptures and prints by Liu Qun, an artist based in the burgeoning arts and design scene in southern industrial city Shenzhen.

If all this seems a tad upmarket , it's meant to.

Nottingham already has a handful of respected upmarket Chinese restaurants, but with May Sum, Daniel's trying to bring something slightly different – an upmarket buffet.

He recognises that he'll have to sell this concept to Nottingham diners.

But in places like Hong Kong, buffet-style restaurants go hand-in-hand with five-star hotels and fine dining.

Of course to really succeed in changing preconceptions, the food needs to be right.

Head chef Xiao Peng's CV boasts culinary awards from time spent in Beijing and Shanghai.

So while "Herbal and fungus soup" might be a difficult food to market – particular as it's a dessert – the open-minded diner might find himself pleasantly rewarded.

"With the buffet... you can become more adventurous," Daniel said.

"It opens up your taste buds."