“Imperial dining in Beijing”

Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant
Ranked #85 of 12,859 Restaurants in Beijing
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Restaurant details
Dining options: Reservations
Neighborhood: Zhongguancun
Reviewed April 11, 2012

I attended a business lunch here and enjoyed the experience, which is quite unique. It is also called "Baijia Dayuan". The theme is over-the-top Ching dynasty and everything is done up that way. The imperial greeters are in full costume and elaborate dresses are worn by the servers. The buildings and grounds are also quite interesting. I understand from my lunch colleagues that the place is actually owned by a local school and leased out for the restaurant. It does have the distinct feeling like you are eating in a tourist place, but that is part of the fun, and the food is actually quite good and different from the usual Beijing food. We were placed in one of the private dining rooms and the service was excellent. The sea cucumber dish was prepared well. The tofu dish was somewhat bland. The prices were also (surprisingly) very reasonable. I think it would also be a fun place to bring children.

Date of visit: April 2012
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Thank mike-lcf
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Reviewed March 31, 2012

Upon entering the entrance, being greeted by classically dressed hosts and hostesses, we knew we were in for an Imperial experience. We were usered into an ornate private dining room sized just for the 2 of us.
As we sat down, the service was fit for and emperor, our own individual hostess dressed as an imperial lady in waiting. beautiful full headress, briliant silk dress ( as best as I can discribe) and 3 assistants. all making sure we were waited on hand and foot. the tea cup was never less that 1/2 full, clean plate after every course, the moment we were just about finished, the next one appeared on time, hot and tasty. You were made to feel special.
After the meal, we were escorted around the garden by our hostess carrying a lite red lantern, The garden was eye catching and a sight to behold.
I will be brining back to my home city of Seattle, Washington. USA pictures and images of what our garden will hope to look like. Yes, we are building the largest Chinese Garden out side of China.
A truly great experience.

Date of visit: March 2012
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Thank A C
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed December 12, 2011
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Date of visit: December 2011
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed November 23, 2011

This restaurant is located quite far out from the main City centre area where the 5 star hotels are based so do plan your journey ahead. It is 5 mins from the Subway station Suzhoujie (line 10) so I suggest you give at least an hour for the journey.

When you arrive at the entrance you feel as if it may be a tourist trap as you see lanterns and people dressed in traditional Qing dynasty style - very vibrant colours. The courtyard is quiet and as night sets the lanterns get lit up which adds a bit of charm. you'd think it might be a bit but in fact it wasn't what I expected it to be.

The staff all greet you with "Nin Jie Xiang" with a handkerchief being tossed in the right hand - this is a way of greeting in the Qing Imperial manner.

We were constantly greeted by the staff and always with a smile.

We were escorted to our hut/room as everyone gets a private hut to dine in. An attendant was with us at all times and opened the door for us holding up the heavey curtain. Service was top notch and couldn't be faulted.

The food in general was good. The tofu cake dish was initially not something we all thought tasted well but it turns out to be quite different when you get closer to the centre. The cake is a very difficult dish to make so I was glad we persevered to eat it as it was quite tasty inside. All the other dishes in general was good. Again, the usual flaw of Chinese restaurants when it comes to European wine - A few bottles in the range of £10,000GBP + and the cheapest being a cloudy bay for £40! - we gave up and stuck with tea and beer.

The price? A mere 1000 RMB (circa £100 at the time of our visit) per head for an elaborate meal that consisted of over 12 dishes including Buddha jumping over the wall & abalone/sea cucumber. Not the best abalone and sea cucumber but was decent enough.

I think you basically should come here to enjoy the atmosphere and the service. Some of the staff spoke some English but luckily our friends were local and translated. We had the most interaction with the attendant and it was nice to see them smiling and relaxed, yet attentive and professional. I do find service can be two extremes in China - really rude or so stiffly professional you feel like they are a robot.

Definitely recommend coming here with family - great place for kids to muck about in your privacy!

Date of visit: November 2011
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Thank Yomura
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed September 30, 2011

After my half lifetime in Europe, half in China and visited over 200 cities world around, no doubt this Chinese restaurant is the best of all! In contrast to street foods like chicken feet, spring rolls or traditional Beijing duck, this restaurant serves food with quality and elegency in a magnificent enviroment. Sitting at the middle of a beautiful Chinese garden, with Chinese music and showes, being served with excellent food and treated as an empress, I was living in a Chnese dream :))). An absolutely a "must go" when you visit Beijing. Don't go there below 20C. Book the table if possible. Go with as many people as possible so you may taste lots of dishes. No worries for being served with strange food. With about 60$ per person, this wonderful Chinese dream will live in your heart for ever.

Date of visit: August 2011
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Thank RongLundgren
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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