Another Blow For Legation Quarter: Meat & Wine Co. Closes

Michael Wester | Apr 1, 2010 3:47 pm | 3 comments | 4902 reads

Days after winning our readers’ pick for "Best Steak" in the 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, the Legation Quarter’s Meat & Wine Co. has closed its doors.

This email sent out to customers this morning at first came off as an April Fool’s joke, but unfortunately turned out to be genuine:

Dear Valued Guest,
We regret to inform you that The Meat & Wine Co Beijing is closing its restaurant at CH'IEN MEN 23 on March 31, 2010. As we explore further opportunities in Beijing, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your loyal support over this past year. Together, we have enjoyed a fantastic year of great memories, developing great friendships, which without you would not have been possible. We are honored and humbled to have received the following prestigious accolades:

Food & Wine China – “Best 50 Restaurants in China”
Travel & Leisure China – “Best Restaurant in Beijing”
Time Out Beijing China – “Best New Restaurant in Beijing”
The Beijinger – “Best Steak in Beijing”

We look forward to welcoming you at any of our restaurants worldwide and will keep you informed regarding future developments.

Best regards,
The Meat & Wine Co

Too early for further comment, the restaurant's marketing manager declined to go into details other than to say the closure was ‘sudden’. Voters in our annual awards praised the Beijing branch of this international chain for its rib eye and rump steaks as well as for its swanky surroundings just a stone’s throw away from Tiananmen Square. The Legation Quarter (aka Chi’enmen 23) has seen a lot of its heart and soul torn out over the past few months, with venues Agua, Fez Bar and Shiro Matsu pulling out in December, allegedly over a rental dispute. Maison Boulud, Ristorante Sadler and Zen 1903 are the remaining restaurants in the now half-vacant complex that was completed during Beijing’s heady Olympic year of 2008.

Despite the closure, carnivorous Beijingers are still spoiled for choice. with Morel’s, SALT and Chef Too picking up readers' awards for "Outstanding Steak". and CRU Steakhouse getting a coveted Experts' Pick.

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jojointhemo's picture jojointhemo Submitted by Guest on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 17:15

that's pretty much a ghost town in the legation quarter now that they kicked out every restaurant with their crappy management rental hikes. good, that place was too far and outta the way. now hopefully those restaurants will be closer to chaoyang and i'll be sure to patronize them more. love the meat and wine meat company's meat platter. beijing south is ghetto anyway, hope legation quarter crumbles a slow death.

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