Brian McKenna's Courtyard to Close in June

Popular Beijing Chef Brian McKenna will close his landmark restaurant Brian McKenna@The Courtyard in June, McKenna announced on the restaurant's website.

"Dear friends and loyal supporters,

"I have decided to part ways with my restaurant Brian McKenna@The Courtyard.

"The decision has not been easy but I feel it's the right one at this stage of my career, as we have continued to grow our business on a monthly basis, it is heartbreaking to have to close now."

McKenna cited ""very demanding consulting projects, a new gastropub opening in August and an expanding catering company" as the primary factors in needing to shut down the restaurant, which he took over in February 2013, after stints at Blu Lobster at the Shangri-La Hotel and his own ROOM.

Well, we guess we're looking forward to the gastro pub. The site of The Courtyard is iconic, with a view of Donghuamen, the Forbidden City's east gate, just across the moat. The place opened originally as a restaurant and art gallery in 1996, christened simply The Courtyard, a project developed by Shanghai-based lawyer Handel Lee. Lee would later be the name behind The Legation Quarter, formerly home to Maison Boulud, which closed in 2014, but remains the site of Lost Heaven and some high-end shops. The Courtyard has served celebrities including Mick Jagger and Arnold Schwarzenegger during its 19-year history.

The current restaurant will remain open until June 13, so now's the time to get your last taste of McKenna's current incarnation.

Photo: Meiguoxing