Daniel Boulud's Beijing Outpost Now Closed

Daniel Boulud's Beijing outpost Maison Boulud served its last brunch — and also its last-ever meal — Sunday, Dec. 8. The restaurant, which closed after five years in business, was the last of several restaurants to stay open in the historic Ch'ienmen 23 property, located not far from Tiananmen Square. The final decision came after a big hike in the rent of the space leased for Maison Boulud, executive chef Brian Reimer told The Beijinger. The restaurant has released an official statement, thanking their former patrons for their support and mentioning "new exciting projects" that the company will work on in the near future. The full release is quoted below:

"To the Patrons of Maison Boulud:   

Allow us to thank you for the past five years and allowing us to share with you all our joy of cooking and hospitality.

Only through you all have we have been able to experience Beijing and bring the style of Daniel Boulud to the nation's capital.

With our partner we had a very difficult decision to make about Maison Boulud and did so with much restraint. It has been and shall continue to be exciting to watch the changes of Beijing along with China as a whole. The coming months will bring many exciting new projects to our company and we look forward to sharing them with you all very soon....."

— Maison Boulud a Pekin

Chef Reimer also confirms that while this is the end of the French-inspired restaurant, it will probably not mean the end of Boulud's presence in Beijing. Though no concrete plans are revealed yet, he tells The Beijinger that the next step for Boulud in Beijing is likely to be something more casual with "an approachable price point with the occasion to spend."