Maxim's De Paris Beijing is probably the only restaurant here where diners can still enjoy French cuisine the way it was 30 years ago classically presented French dishes in a classic French dining room.

The restaurant in Chongwenmen is decorated with stained glass framed in traditional gilded edges, lamps shaped like maple chestnut leaves, crystal mirrors, and paintings that are copies of those hanging in the Louvre.

With subdued lighting, the whole ambience is almost cathedral-like.

Maxim's recently celebrated its 30 years anniversary, and despite its venerable record, it is still one of the best places in Beijing to have a romantic candle-lit meal. Some filmmakers still choose the restaurant as a setting, according to restaurant manager He Guangyin.

Maxim's is a State-run company and its opening was the joint-venture between Beijing's restaurant administration and the Pierre Cardin company.

To date, the restaurant still makes Beijing's best-tasting foie gras terrine with Bordeaux wine, mushroom cream soup, beef fillet with black truffle sauce and escargot with Burgundy sauce.

After it was established in 1983, Maxim's sent its chefs to France twice to study French cuisine. According to He, all the dishes are faithfully prepared according to the original recipes.

The restaurant does not use monosodium glutamate or flavor enhancers and they would rather take a dish off the menu if they cannot find the right ingredients.

The same strict principles apply to pastry making and no artificial ingredients, additives or coloring are used in cakes or desserts.

In recent years, Maxim's pastry shop has started offering a wide array of breads and French cakes, which are now also available on the Internet. It also has a cigar bar and wine cellar.

For a touch of nostalgia, and classic French food, it is still the place to go to.

yejun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/19/2014 page8)