One of Beijing’s hidden gems certainly must be Black Swan Fine Dining located inside the Luo Hong Museum in Shunyi District. The museum houses an impressive number of pictures taken by Luo Hong, founder of the Black Swan and Holliland high-end cake and dessert shops.

Our evening started early with glasses of Champagne Duval Leroy Brut Reserve, canapes and amuse-bouches on the terrace before a private tour of the museum. When the tour finished we were escorted back to our private terrace that overlooked “Swan Lake”. This lake and garden were designed in Japanese style being home to its permanent residents: two white and two black swans.

As well as from Beijing, attendees included members and guests hailing from the Bailliages of Chongqing and Qingdao. A wonderful sense of community filled our private room demonstrating the unbreakable bonds of the Chaîne.

Black Swan wowed us with its minimalist design of contrasting black and white elements. Paired with some truly spectacular dishes; it was an evening not to be forgotten. Lobster, truffles, veal, and foie gras: truly all of our favourite things.

The Chef and Sommelier aligned so that the meticulous details of each dish were embodied in the wine.

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Canadian Lobster
lobster claw, citrus jelly, ginger
lemon balm, endive, trout caviar
Hugel ‘Gentil’ 2018 - Alsace

Iceland Halibut
trout roe, sweet peas, kohlrabi, yuzu miso sauce
Dr Loosen Riesling Kabinett 2019 - Mosel

Seared duck foie gras
figs, Sichuan pepper, ruby Port jus
Graham’s ‘Six grapes’ Port

House-made fagotini pasta
stuffed with truffle, mushroom and Ricotta
chicken jus, Parmesan foam
Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2017

Milk-fed Dutch veal
mashed potato, mushroom, peppered veal jus
Minervois ‘Cuvée 1884’ 2018
Languedoc-Roussillon

Blueberry sorbet with blackcurrant meringue
Clarendelle 2015 - Bordeaux

Petits fours

The Sommelier challenged our tastebuds and senses with foie gras paired with Port and especially by the Clarendelle with the dessert. [Ed. From the owners of Château Haut-Brion Clarendelle is a red Bordeaux with a top class pedigree.]

The night was still young as we returned to the terrace for after-dinner drinks. We concluded the evening lulled by the sound of the waterfalls as we enjoyed digestifs making for a relaxing evening in Beijing’s hidden haven.

“An evening of delicious food, beautiful wine, and camaraderie.”

Preston Thomas
Vice-Chargé de Presse