Stay Classy, Beijing: Top Three French Spots for Fine Dining

The French don't mess around with their cuisine and the culinary world knows it. Julia Child put it best: "In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport." The fine French restaurants in Beijing are no different, and from the 2013 Reader Restaurant Awards we bring you the best in the city's French dining. Traditional dishes like foie gras and pigeon will have you dreaming of the Seine and La Vie en Rose in no time.

Best French (Fine Dining): Maison Boulud

Maison Boulud is yet another powerhouse establishment from world-renowned, three Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud. While Boulud serves fare like a chilled duck foie gras terrine and sirloin with Bordelaise sauce, his kitchen also combines exotic elements such as Middle Eastern spices with traditional French flavors and domestically-sourced ingredients like Yunnan mushrooms. Maison Boulud has topped the Best French category in the Beijinger Reader Restaurant Awards since 2010.

The Beijinger readers who have visited were impressed by the food, wine list, service and atmosphere.

“Maison Boulud is a great restaurant featuring the kind of quality one can expect from a high-class french restaurant. The service is really professional (European, USA professional). The staff speak a great English and is really willing to help you find."

“You could probably get a level higher (Michelin stars higher) in Paris for that kind of money but in Beijing I know no equivalent to Maison Boulud.”

Experts Joel Shuchat, Fongyee Walker, Tom O’Malley and Xixi Cheng also chose the restaurant for Best French (Fine Dining). Walker and Emily Young chose the restaurant for Best Value (Fine Dining). Young also chose Maison Boulud for Best Service (Non-Chinese, Fine Dining). Executive chef Brian Reimer was voted Outstanding Chef (Fine Dining).

Outstanding French (Fine Dining): Brasserie Flo

Coined by many as one of the most authentic French brasseries in town, Brasserie Flo is still one of Beijing’s most highly rated French restaurants and celebrated their ten-year anniversary in 2009. Fans praise the sun-soaked terrace, prompt service and classic fare like onion soup, steak au poivre and oysters imported from France.

Here's what readers had to say about Brasserie Flo:

“A brasserie par excellence. For a polished yet unpretentious, and defiantly French experience, nothing quite does the trick like Flo.”

“We thought we were full and did not order dessert, but fortunately Bertrand, the executive chef, insisted that we try a selection of sorbets: yogurt, pear, and licorice. The licorice sherbet was especially innovative, and was the perfect bookend to the rest of the meal. Bravo, Bertrand!”

Outstanding French (Fine Dining): Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

TRB serves contemporary European cuisine in a lovingly restored 600 year-old temple, managed by former Maison Boulud marvel Ignace Lecleir. Menu offerings have ranged from pigeon with ceps (wild mushrooms), to parsnips and truffle jus, to a duet of foie gras and lobster, all prime French fare. Desserts are also classic – expect to find items like tarte Tatin and chocolate and hazelnut dacquoise. They also boast an extensive wine list for Francophiles and their own wine cellar with online ordering, delivery and, currently, some opening promotions.

One of our readers is even swooning over the TRB waitstaff:

“Service by Ignace and his efficient staff, also very attractive I'd like to add, is simply flawless. Service starts from reservation and the doorman who will lead you, with great manners, all the way inside the restaurant to your table.”

Joel Shuchat and Tom O' Malley chose TRB as Best For Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese Cuisine). Fongyee Walker is an especially big fan of TRB, selecting it for Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese, Fine Dining) and Best Wine List.

Photos: blog.catherinemaladrino.com, luxury-insider.com, the Beijinger.