Executive Chef Brian Reimer on Maison Boulud's Closure and What's Next
Executive Chef Brian Reimer confirmed Maison Boulud's closing with the Beijinger this afternoon. The crux of the issue lies in the renewal of their Chi'en Men 23 lease and a newly proposed rent, with Reimer saying that the "price point is really the key."
Last service will be brunch on December 8. They have released the following statement:
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
Will this be the end of the Boulud presence in Beijing? Most likely not, says Reimer. The decision isn't sudden to the team and has been under discussion for the past six months, though only recently finalized in the past week.
In just less than two weeks, Maison Boulud will close, but this brisk schedule allows the team to focus their energy on moving forward. Projects for the Asia region at large are in the works, and Beijing – pending appropriate partners and location – can hope for something new from the group within the next eight months.
While still in a planning phase, the new Beijing incarnation of Boulud will likely be something more casual that has "an approachable price point with the occasion to spend." We are certainly looking forward to seeing what is to come and will keep you updated as plans evolve.
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Photo: Sui
