Ch'ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dong Dajie,Tian'anmen
前门东大街23号,天安门
Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm. Brunch Sat-Sun 11am-4pm, 6pm-10pm
Price More than Y400
Accepts International Credit Cards
With creative design and a fantastic location in the old American Legation Quarters near Tiananmen, this fine dining restaurant brings the Daniel Boulud dining empire to Beijing, as well as the celebrity chef's deft culinary innovations. A very well thought out menu boasts delicious dishes made with top-end ingredients and served flawlessly.
I came with my girlfriend for a brunch, it was a fabulous experience! The restaurant is calm, it was a sunny day, service is good but with a 15% charge, could be better like Sureno. The choice was just amazing, so many stuff I wanted to eat... but I have just one stomach... egg benedict was yummy, the DB burger really nice, specially the bread with cheese. My girlfriend ate a Coq au Vin, really nice. Our dessert was a moment in the 7th heaven. Profiterole but also chocolate fondant with caramel... so nice.... Sure, we will be back for an another brunch to try other dishes and to spend such a deligthful moment.
The venue es exceptional, service was outstanding, and food simply delicious, I've been there three times, twice for dinner and once for brunch and quality is constant, last time I went, the restaurant manager was not there but his Chinese assistant was there to take care of us, and he was really attentive, a must go place!
Disappointed is the word that comes to mind... After won several awars, I wanted to try this famous restaurants. I waited until my parents come toi Beijing. The website is clearly not updated! The legation is superb: restaurant is beautiful. Service is really attentive and charming. In fact the problem is the food and price. The quantity is a joke, I took pigeon with foie gras.... but where was the foie gras? I did not feel the taste of it... my mother same... Cook forgot to put foie gras in the dish? dessert were good but nothing better... I will try probably soon the brunch and I really hope to change my 2 stars in 5.
One word, flawless.
to add to the already copious kudos, it's simply my favorite place in beijing. ignace had this place running like a swiss clock before he left, and while daniel boulud must not be happy with the exodus of all the other establishments in the compound, his restaurant still unassailably shines as the crown jewel of beijing dining in my eyes. i've had numerous brunches, with parties large and small, and it's extremely rare for something to go wrong. more importantly though, is that when it does, the staff graciously sets it right in the blink of an eye. dinner is an event, and the set menus are indeed good value. while it's location is further from me now than in the past, any reason to go is a good one.
This place is a diner's wet dream: Service provided by a deft hand and easy smile; high quality and meticulously executed food; a classic setting with a laid back vibe. I am blissfully content with each and every meal I enjoy at MB. Last night, I ordered the set meal with wine pairing, which included a lobster bisque with tapioca and veggie medley, olive oil braised black cod with crushed potato with watercress-clam emulsion, red wine braised shortrib with creamy spinach and a shallot compote and the creme brulee. The cod was perfectly cooked and retained a very firm, yet juicy texture. The flavor of the short rib was sensational--very beefy with a tenderness of slow cooking. I was alittle disappointed with the lack of glassy sugar on top of the creme brulee, though I suspect that I prefer a caramel sheet, rather than a delicate crust. As always, the service was efficient, but not over bearing and the staff seemed equally comfortable with Chinese and english. More incredibly, everything was served with a warm smile...you gotta love good and FRIENDLY service. Five stars, again.
Went on a Tuesday night and started early, started off nicely as the restaurant was still quiet but got very noisey later on as the restaurant did fill up, not expected on a Weekday night. Most waitstaff there was nice, but one was abit rough, but in general ok, drinks where topped up at the right times, the food was introduced nicely everytime. Food, not bad but not as interesting as what I expected. Don't get me wrong, it was still nice, but just, not there yet. Value, I reckon for rmb 600 pp for 10 course, I think it's really not bad~ Wine list was nicely priced, but the whites were better selected than the reds.
Maison Boulud is a stellar preservation of colonial Beijing and dining. With its well-kept lawns, elegant columns and chestnut color, Maison Boulud impresses upon the visitor the grandeur that is to come. Stepping into the manor, one is soon washed with a feeling of being in Scarlett O’Hare’s manor from Gone with the Wind, though the colonial dignity is soon supplanted with a fusion of modern sleekness and Greco-roman style. The bar is lined in deep rich paneling of chocolates and browns, and offers leather stools and lounges to ease into while sharing a drink of lively champagne, complimentary roasted cashew nuts and dried Indian bread. On offer is also lovely cheese and cracker hors devours, which is white, light and fluffy and creams in the mouth adding a decadence to the understated bar. The main dining room is open yet cozy with 30- tables with dark wood tabletops and chairs and couch seats. The white sheath columns and large windows give it a grandiose and neo-classical ambiance, yet allow the patron to feel privacy and forget the hustle and bustle of the room. A minimalist menu, simply stating the small selection of Appetizers, Winter Classics, Mains, and so forth is exciting and enticing with its embellished descriptions, with prices ranging from 100 (the very few) to 700 rmb per dish. The wine list, comprising of two volumes is of superlative quality and over-whelming extensiveness. New world wines for 200 rmb to Taittinger Collections at 20,000rmb are all included. The Chestnut Soup is a capital choice for a starter. The Celery-Chestnut Soup and Pheasant Tartine with Red Currents is a rich golden soup, the silk and velvety texture with its intense chestnut taste and delicate Tartine gives it a latte like feel. Its minimalist approach reduces the dish to its most essential elements, an uncomplicated recipe that reveals how the liver is of impeccable quality and the cream soup is lustrous and serene. Paired with a Chardonnay Shanxi China Grace Vineyard Tasya’s Reserve 2005, the citric and sweet Shanxi wine distinguishes the contrast of tastes admirably. A Caviar and Organic Egg Yolk gives a polished transition. The Green Apple Gelee, Pique with Anise Seeds, Pumpernickel Toast has an intense aroma and is integrated with the light spices coming from the fine poached egg , which pair with the toast. There is a slight apple hint from the Gelee on the flavor palate that goes with the minerals from the caviar. To mirror the taste of the poached egg, the Chardonnay Burgundy France Pouilly Fuissé Domain Roux Père and Fils 2008, is a fine compliment, and the wine has a tart berry taste. It also kept a great vibrant acidity that adds complexity and a gradual development to the course. A very long finish ends this harmonious pairing. The Tuna Seared << à la Plancha >> and, Carrot << Cru et Cuit >>, with Creamy Spinach, Jus à la Diable is best when medium rare, as the western chefs know. Marinated and briefly seared, it melts in the mouth and releases the blended melody of herbs and spices leaving a heavier and heartier taste to the senses. The sensual experience of the tuna is only enhanced with the rippleless of a Alentejo Courela Portugal Cortes de Cima 2005, with a rich red color and spiciness that lingers on the tongue. The Lamb will not disappoint either. Grilled Australian Loin with Variation of Cauliflower, Pomegranate Seeds, Sumac and couples with a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Bordeaux France, Chateau La Rame 2005 imbues a delicate flavor and a desire to have it enlarged and magnified to surpass the serving plate. Simply and eagerly stated, it is to die for, and immaculate, one of the crowning glories of the meal, and unequaled with any meat tasted before in Beijing. The Pomegranate seeds inundate a paradisiacal high to the mouth when coupled with the lamb. Throughout the meal, the chicly dressed staff offer complimentary bread, which is soft and moist to cater to the locals (which also encompassed 80% of the clientele) and is served with tamarind, whole wheat, and almond. Though not a classical serving bread, the cloyingly honey taste is a nice palate cleanser between dishes, and can be dangerously persuasive. Patrons are also treated to house-made marshmallow. Presented in a carnival-like large vat, it is carved in front of the table and served in small squares of mint and strawberry flavor and color. The sacchariferous marshmallows are airy and featherlike and diffuse too quickly in the mouth, though they are incredible. Equally lavish and vibrantly tasting are the Petit Fours, mini French chocolates and pastries, which come in several variations each minute and powerful. If that weren’t over-excessive, the staff provide complimentary basket of Sweet Madeleins, sugary and yielding. As a finisher the Duo of Chocolate & Fruit – is superb. The Warm Chocolate Gateaux Coconut and Passionfruit Vacherin served with iced wine Ortega Pfalz Germany, Weltachs Kirchheimer Beerenauslese 2005 delights and titillates. The warm chocolate filling and spicy coconut is full bodied and lush in taste, where as the exotic fruit vacherin is a light, divine dessert, giving a little taste of a tropical vacation. Thick, creamy, flavorful hot chocolate and frothy lattes concluded the meal, and can heal a horrible day at work, and inflame the stoniest heart. It’s pure ambrosia. Maison Bouloud is a laudable dining experience. The dishes are neither hackneyed nor forgettable. The technical execution is not overly mechanized so as to leave no room for dynamism. Rather, patrons will be galvanized by the experience and aroused by a new standard in culinary preparation. Maison Bouloud is indelible and must be appreciated and experienced in its seduction of patrons and accomplishment in bringing fine-dining to Beijing. It is a tabernacle of palatable cuisine.
My third trip to Maison Boulud was a wonderful Christmas brunch . The only critisim would be that the brunch menu changed into a Christmas brunch menu, which was more expenisve and limited. The 4 courses were offered at 328rmb instead of the usal 238rmb. Everything I had was delicious, but the stand out was the whiskey ice cream that came with my chocolate tart. If I could bring back a large container, I would eat it even in this weather! Other standouts were the very flavorful slow poached turkey, the handmade fettucine with pork belly and the poached egg with lobster knuckle. I need not speak of the impeccable service and amazing ambiance. If you have only one fine dining experience in Beijing, this should be it.
just happen to saw the latest review of maison boulud and i just want to say i feel this comment was slightly unjust. I happened to be at this restaurant on Saturday night dining with few friends, and I must say that it is extremely refreshing to find a western restaurant where the food is good and most importantly, it is actually BUSY and you don't feel like that every waitstaff is starring at you while you are eating. I assume that as the guests number goes up, the ratio of server/customer will go down, but I must say that on the night where I was there, where the restaurant was still full at 9:30 pm, I did not feel that the level of service went down. I still received the warm and personalized service that is as detail oriented as always, few staff even recognized me by my name!! Now thats very RARE in Beijing. and of course, having consistently delicious food keeps me going back.
I have been to Maison Boulud twice. Both times the food was excellent; however, last night my experience was a great example of how the front of the house can ruin excellent food. I am going to try to defend the service I received last night because the first time I went was on a Saturday afternoon for brunch and the restaurant was not busy, and in turn, the level of attention I received was tremendous. I don’t want to turn this post into a rant about how bad of an experience I had because overall, the experience was still good. Yet, for a restaurant that Restaurant magazine considers one of the Top 100 in the world, I have to expect better. Again I don’t want this to be a rant about a bad experience. Thus, I am going to give a short recap of what I found to be the major letdowns of my experience. First, I ordered the restaurant’s monthly set menu option, which this month focused on dishes from the Brittany region of France. I also opted to have the beer pairing with this set menu. I received by first course, oysters on the half shell, I waited to eat my portion until I received by beer because I presumed that the purpose in having a beer pairing was to match the flavors to create an experience. I waited for over five minutes (after I received my course) and then had to remind the staff that I had the beer pairing with my meal, which they clearly had forgotten. I will admit most of the rest of my table was having wine so I can see why they may have overlooked this detail. Yet, I was the only person that ordered any of the restaurant’s set menu options, and I was the only one that opted to allow the restaurant to pair my meal with its beverage. The second most glaring error of my evening had to deal with the silverware for one of my courses. The servers provided me my silverware prior to my course coming and I did not receive a spoon. I assumed that this was because I was not supposed to have a spoon. Yet, when I received my fish stew the portion it seemed clear to me that based on the thinness of the broth that the stew was more of a soup and I would need a spoon to really be able to enjoy it. I admit I am not a foodie. I do not know very much about gourmet food, and I personally felt that maybe I just didn’t understand the fact that I shouldn’t have a spoon for this course I don’t know whether or not I should have a spoon with a course like this. My lack of knowledge is part of the reason that I usually opt to have a set menu, and also part of the reason I choose to have a drink pairing when I go to gourmet restaurants. I do not know what I am doing. Thus, I choose to let the experts decide for me, and I just enjoy their expertise while I attempt to not embarrass myself. Luckily for me I was seated next to a Frenchmen, who told me that I did need a spoon for this course and that I shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask for because he considered it to be an oversight on their behalf. I am stopping my complaints here because I want to limit myself to the most glaring issues. I will not go into detail about a server’s mishap pouring my beer, which was caused by pouring it entirely too fast and it spilling a significant amount of it over the top of the glass. Or the fact that the one complaint about the food that I had was that my roll was under done to the point where it was just warm dough on the inside, but that really wasn’t my major issue because the roll did look done on the outside and I could see how the mistake could be made. The problem was that I could not get a servers attention to get one of them to get the individual with the bread to bring me another roll to replace the under done one. I admit some of my complaints seem petty, but the reality is that this is Maison Boulud. I expect this caliber of a restaurant to provide a better experience. Now, that I have said all of this, my first experience was so good that I will go back to the restaurant again. However, if my experience last night was my first experience I would not be going back. The brunch at the restaurant is a great deal with an enormous amount of options to choose from. Overall, if anyone has had a bad experience at Maison Boulud, I do recommend that you give it a second try, but only for brunch.
The atmosphere and service is great, except they didn't introduce the dishes the way I expected them to. I loved the french onion soup here! The pate was also very good, and the main course of lamb was delicious. However, the main courses (such as the cod and lamb) seemed a little small compared to the size of the appetizer and dessert. Their peach ice cream bar that came with the prix fixe menu was so good. Their wine menu comes in two volumes. The bread was good but not spectacular. I loved the petite fours given at the end, and the madeleines were amazing.
Just had brunch over there this weekend and what an experience. It is simply heaven to be sitting outdoor on their patio and being pampered by the restaurant staff. The steak tartar is one of the best I have had in the city and I am still dreaming about it now. Now I can't wait to go back and try their dinner!
Easily the best restaurant I've been to since leaving Europe -- I've finally found my Beijing 'happy place' . Service -- from the waitstaff down to the washroom attendants -- was impeccable, and the food was both elegantly presented and a delight to the taste buds. I went for Sunday brunch and was overwhelmed by the variety of options, as well as the portion size (large for a restaurant of this caliber). The much-vaunted DB burger was interesting, although not something I will order again (I'm not much of a burger fan to begin with), but my crab and avocado salad, pain perdu, and strawberry rhubarb dessert were simply incredible. There was a charming assortment of bread and pastries throughout the meal, and the madeleines accompanying my coffee were a delightful touch. The final bill, including several drinks, was about 400rmb -- less than I'd paid at a comparable restaurant at which I'd only ordered two courses. In short, I can't wait to return! One thing to note -- brunch time at the restaurant is extremely family friendly. There were an assortment of little ones running around during my visit, and the staff seemed quite happy to chase after them as their parents dined. This did not detract from my experience in the slightest, but if you find the presence of small children irritating then you might want to visit on a weekday instead.
Real the most expensive and best service dinner in my life. The chinese and french have some tensions now but just to understand the french culture 3 of our friends decided to go here. We had read in chinese media this is extremely expensive restaurant and so we had prepared 600 rmb for 3. We ordered items worth 500 and I dont remember the dishes. The breads were free in the restaurant and enjoyed them. The portions is quite less compared with chinese foods. The taste is totally different than the chinese food though. Sure its french-I dont know the taste. The best part of this was the peoples. They were smart,good english and chinese speaking and so beautifully dressed. The decoration was so excellent.Huge painting on the wall, the leather sofas,the beautiful candles ,I liked it. But unfortunately I cannot like the taste of this food . Its a beautiful restaurant experience
beautiful and spacious dinning place, good service, very nice food... everything seems to be perfect in Maison Boulud. Bon
Although I felt Maison Boulud had some of the best service I've experienced in Beijing, it seems plagued by the usual China weakness - inconsistency. Several people I've talked to have complained about their service. The restaurant is in a splendid setting, tastefully done and without the "stiff" feeling often found in this type of establishment. A lively atmosphere, friendly staff and good food - although nothing to write home about. During the gourmet month, we tried their special menu - slightly dissapointed with it, being both rather small and tasteless. A pity as such a promotion is a great way to attract new customers who wouldn't usually want to dish out RMB500+ a person
Utterly delightful in every way. Eating here is a treat.
This is very creative and special reteraunt with it's own style. The food there is very fresh and tasty. The service is just fabulous and the surrounding is very clean and very very very beautiful. The price is a bit more expensive but I personally think it is worth it.
Fabulous business lunch and the service is always impeccable.
It was a perfect dinner, in a perfect location with perfect service.
those people above me have mentioned everything i want to say here. but let me add something: gorgeous interior + amazingly beautiful and delicious food + great selection of wines + super service (free champagne while waiting a cab???) = a mind blowing fine dining experience. maison boulud really set the bar really high for fine dining scene in beijing. no doubt about that. (oh, and the madeleines... sigh...) will be back for lunch and their bar.
Amazingly gorgeous property, building, and dining room. This is the place to go to impress. I've been going once a week for almost two months now, and just love the atmosphere. Typically just order an appetizer (favorite is the scallop) and a main course (love the veal). Tastefully presented and relatively smaller portions, but you get filled up on the bread, the adorable little sweet treats, and fresh madeleines. At the end you get a little bag of some kind of chocolate covered biscuit. I went on a Saturday for lunch and they had a set menu which was more affordable, but alas no little sweet treats and no madeleines.
I was disappointed with Maison Boulud when I went for the CW Gourmet Month meal. It's worth a visit just to see the Legation Quarter, and the restaurant and bar are gorgeous. I went with two friends and we each had one of Maison Boulud's cocktails, which were all really delicious and the highlight of our meal. The pea soup was decent but nothing special. The salmon was also not noteworthy, and the crunchy, super-salty asparagus pieces it sat on weren't very tasty. The lamb was even worse -- it just seemed very heavy and drenched in a sauce that didn't bring out the best flavors. The apple desert was nice, though, and we loved the abundant and delicious bread. I'd come back for the drinks, but not the overpriced food. The service was good, but no better than at any nice hotel restaurant or many other places in Beijing.
By far the BEST service in town, and probably the best Western restaurant in town!! I can't believe it's taken me this long to dine here. I am totally blown away!!! All of my friends and I had a really amazing experience, I can't wait to come back!! Both Ignace and Koen are amazing, it really exceeded all my expectations, I'm really really really impressed!!!
I am this close to asking for a raise so I can eat there daily.
My favourite restaurant in Beijing. The maitre d' is a gem, and the food sublime. Well worth the money, every time.
I thought nothing could top the dinner. But the lunch is amazing. For RMB168, you're eating better than most meals in NY, London, etc. for maybe 2-3 times less cost. DB burger (lunch only) with wagyu and foie fgras is completely insanely delicious
One word... Perfection!
It's one of my top three favorite restaurants in town. Great service, nice ambience and excellent food! If have not been there, give it a try, you will never be disappointed.
My husband and I recently went back to Maison Boulud for a second go around and we were not at the least bit disappointed. The place was alive and busy, but still able to maintain it's warm and comforting ambiance. And most surprising, we were even more impressed with the elegant and refined service. Just when you think that things could not get any better! I don't know how they do it, but everything was amazing. Another improvement is the addition of the cheese cart. How rare it is to find fine cheeses in Beijing! Kudos to the staff, kitchen and management of Maison Boulud.
I went to Maison Boulud 3 times, 1 for Lunch and twice for dinner. The location, the style of the restaurant are both great. The service is among the best in Beijing Let's talk about the food. The lunch is very average, but you pay to be there, the quality of the food is acceptable, but the presentation is not excellent. The Burger was terrible. A burger in a French restaurant is a joke as well. The dinner experience is better but the card is too limited. The desserts are not excellent for a supposed to be a michelin standard restaurant. Nevertheless the wine list is impressive. Ignace is a great Restaurant Manager. A mix-result, far away to have a good french gastronomic restaurant in Beijing.
This is a beautiful place to wine and dine to impress your date. From the arrival sense to the bar or dining area, all have a sense of luxury and finest quality. The bar is just a nice and quite place, accompanied with slow and good music, place is intimate and bartender just shakes whatever you like. The wine list is just really great, of course, the price just comes much higher than the vintage year just like any other fine establishment. The restaurant is chic and simple, nice and calm. The private dining room is just stunning and has a chic ambiance, calm lighting, just gives the mood of relaxing. Service is just beyond extraordinary, consistent smile, timed service and round the second attention, would say Ritz has met its match or actually over the Ritz service, really it's a royal treatment. The food was just expected from a Michelin class chef, everything is just like being painted on the plate, the Foie Gras is just soft, the ribs were just tender and soft to chew on and sauce was just melting away; dessert as usual comes in varieties - from the macaron, mocha tart and the small tid bits candy is just so heavenly. Do be warned that the price can really jacked up through the roof, BUT it's worth every penny - the arrival, music, ambiance, lighting, layout, decor, mood, food and service. Everything is just....perfect.
Went back for dinner with much anticipation and all expectations were met. The place is great! The food was excellent and the service outstanding. Maison Boulud is by far the best restaurant in Beijing. Gotta try it; you won't be let down.
Went there with the highest possible of expectations, and it succeeded them all. God knows where they found the staff, god knows who is cooking in the kitchen, god knows who did all the training, but hey man - it ain't gonna get better than this in Beijing
Went to the bar at Maison Boulud for pre-dinner drinks the other night and was pleasantly surprised. Initially the restaurant appeared very upscale and exclusive upon entry, but proved to be quite the contrary. The staff and service were very friendly and the drinks were good. They claim to use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. One drink in particular called Project 23 really impressed me. Who would have thought that the combination of rum, various fruit juices, and red pepper shavings would create a cocktail delciously tangy, spicy and refreshing all in one. Next time I will return for a go in the dining room.
Very positive experience here. Maison Boulud is certainly on it's way to being the best restaurant in Beijing! My husband and I just made our 10th year anniversary and couldn't have picked a better place to celebrate. The restaurant is located in the previous US embassy and was beautifully and tastefully renovated into a modern, yet classic style. The dimmed lighting and warm colors of the main dining room were both soothing and inviting, yet there was an energetic flow felt throughout the dining room which enhanced our experience even more. The food was of the highest quality, meticulously prepared and presented, and absolutely delectable. We started with the Sea Scallops and had the Monk Fish and Short Ribs for the main course. We shared a chocolate tart for dessert. The flavors of everyting was intense, pleasing, delicious. But not only were we so pleased with the food, the service was impeccable. The dining service far exceeded my expectations. They were warm, kind and inviting and certainly had great attention to detail; yet remained non-pretentious and non-invasive. At some point in the evening I dropped my fork on the floor. Before I had a chance to ask for another, a new one had already been discreetly placed in its place. In addition, it seemed as though the GM went out of his way to personalize our experience and make us feel important during our night of celebration. And what a perfect evening it was! The wine selection is also outstanding and the sommelier always made sure our glasses were never empty. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. It is currently our favorite and we look forward to going back again!
Simply the best restaurant in Beijing. The one all gourmets were waiting for! The most impressive is that everything is perfect: - the place is amazing: the Legation Quarter is so impressive, so different and what a surprise when you are so close to Tian An Men square! The building itself is real great and the interior design makes you comfortable and in the mood to enjoy your food and drinks. - the service is one of the best I have ever seen: from the waiters to the sommelier, the staff was discreet but very attentive - the food is delicate and innovative: we love the Ravioli as starter and the Monk Fish as a main course, the Pigeon was also excellent. And the dessert was... just fabulous, God bless the pastrycook. There is no mistake: everything is just perfect. - the Wine list is comprehensive and includes good bottles at a reasonable price. No doubt that the staff there have already worked in one or several Michelin-star restaurant(s). Go there you will love it. We will definitively go back!