Dine Like an Emperor with RUYI Gastronomy and the Waldorf Astoria’s Hutong Villa

This post is sponsored by the Waldorf Astoria Beijing
 

While RUYI Gastronomy is nothing short of exquisite, those carefully curated dishes and drinks are by no means the only lavish aspects of this fine dining experience. Desmond Chang – Managing Director of French porcelain brand LEGLE FRANCE and culinary connoisseur – extensively researched the dishes, drink pairings and tableware to highlight Beijing’s rich culinary history and its future development with the RUYI Gastronomy series. 

He also found the perfect venue: the Waldorf Astoria Hutong Villa, which is hosting RUYI Gastronomy from now until December 31st and offers a deluxe and entirely private complex of lavish boutique rooms for private parties, company events and luxury getaways. 

Built on the site of an original traditional Beijing hutong courtyard, the Hutong Villa was opened in 2014 and is modeled after an ancient Ming Dynasty-era Chinese courtyard that once stood in the Doncheng District’s Jinyu Hutong (site of the present day Waldorf). The courtyard strikes a perfect Yin and Yang balance between traditional Beijing architecture and modern style. Curved grey roof tiles and criss-crossed lattice windows accentuate the courtyard’s iconic red walls, which encompass a central entryway in the middle of the outermost wall, a position that signified an imperial household in old Beijing. 
 

A large guest bedroom, featuring a four-post bed, and fine lacquer furnishings adorned with traditional objects like a wooden abacus, scrolls of Tang Dynasty poetry encased in glass, and  minimalist, shadowy black and white painting of birds in flight, lies to the right of the main courtyard on the ground level. Here guests can relax in luxurious comfort in the massive bathroom, or curl up in the genuine yak wool blend blankets on the ultra-comfy couches for some FIFA Football action on the Playstation. 

But the courtyard’s real centerpiece lies on the second floor, where a stately slate marble staircase takes you to a regal teak wood door that opens to reveal the lavish master bedroom. 
 

This is truly a suite fit for royalty and the Waldorf has spared no expense when it comes to the details. Equestrian images, symbolizing nobility, prosperity and success, dominate the décor. The bookshelves are adorned with exquisitely-carved marble horse statues and traditional scroll paintings of galloping steeds hang from the walls. Across from the massive four-post bed is yet another Tang Dynasty-style glazed terracotta horse – all of which create a stately ambience that can be further controlled with a system of touchpad controlled mood-lighting.   
 

The master bathroom is equally impressive. Located next to the bed area, the space is dominated by a massive bowl-shaped bathtub that faces a giant gold-trimmed mirror that doubles as a television – you could easily spend an hour watching the game while soaking up the suds like Scarface. As with the lighting in the main bedroom, the bathroom’s temperature, lighting and window shades can be controlled via the included touchpad.
 

For fun, exercise and a little nightlife, look no further than the “James Bond Secret Hideaway” basement. Take a dip and sip cocktails in the private heated swimming pool (complete with shower and spa facilities), or catch a few flicks in the full-service screening room, complete with state-of-the-art a/v equipment. Best of all, you can invite at least 50 of your closest friends for an all-night bender and dance party in the lounge and bar area that gives any sleek Sanlitun venue a run for its money. 
 

All of this luxury wouldn’t be complete without a space to wine and dine, and the Hutong Courtyard can certainly accommodate in the ornate dining room located to the left of the main hall on the ground level. Here guests can indulge in the nine exquisite courses of RUYI Gastronomy, which offers a highly authentic and innovative exploration of the traditional Manchurian, Imperial and Shandong styles that make up Beijing’s unique imperial culinary cuisine, in a setting that is truly a feast for the senses. 
 

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing and LEGLE FRANCE's Beijing RUYI Gastronomy event runs from now until December 31, 2015 in the historic Ming Dynasty-style Hutong Villa. Guests will enjoy an elaborate nine-course meal inspired by the cuisine of Imperial Beijing paired with a selection of Chinese spirits, wines and teas, all served on fine RUYI tableware. 

RUYI Set Menu I: RMB 1,688 + 15 percent service charge per guest
RUYI Set Menu II: RMB 1,088 + 15 percent service charge per guest

For reservations and more information please call 8520 8916.

Photos: Uni You, courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria Beijing