Hot New Destination Dining Concept Launched in Beijing's Majestic Legation Quarter

Beijing's most glamorous new drinking and dining hotspot is now open - the latest creation from designer and restaurateur David Yeo whose Aqua Restaurant group is responsible for some of the most cutting edge restaurants and bars in Hong Kong.

The multi-zoned complex at the majestic Legation Quarter comprises Shiro Matsu, a stunning contemporary Japanese restaurant, designed by David Yeo and Yukio Hashimoto, arguably Japan's top restaurant designer, featuring China's longest and best stocked sushi bar and sumibiyaki (charcoal) grill room; Hex, a sultry, adjoining pre-dinner and late night lounge bar: Agua, a stylish upscale Spanish restaurant and tapas bar with a magnificent outdoor terrace; and Fez an expansive, chilled-out Marrakech style rooftop bar and lounge with deep sofas, Morrocan lamps and an Arabic fountain, nestled within private tents like a scene out of “The Tales from A Thousand and One Nights” .

The result is 17,000 square feet of the most stylish and innovative bar and restaurant space in the Chinese capital, and as with all of David’s creations the sophisticated design is matched with equally impressive culinary finesse, using the finest and freshest seasonal produce available.

Translating to “white pine” in Japanese, Shiro Matsu takes its name from the beautiful pine tree around which the stunning glass two-level bar and restaurant complex is constructed, and which is its central feature and inspiration.

It is located in Beijing’s majestic new world-class lifestyle destination The Legation Quarter, next to Tiananmen Square. The latest venture from Handel Lee, creator of Shanghai’s Three on the Bund, The Legation Quarter is set in the expansive three acre grounds of what was once the American Embassy, containing neoclassical buildings built in 1906 during the Qing dynasty.

Shiro Matsu

Located on the ground floor of the Ginza- chic two story all-glass building, Shiro Matsu is set to become Beijing’s most talked about Japanese restaurant.

Its stunning dark interiors are a contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional Japanese bamboo house but with a 6.5 metre high ceiling. It features an 18 metre long sushi counter – believed to be the longest in China – 6.5 metre bamboo curtain walls, a dramatic transparent curved catwalk in the floor with an underlying sand Zen garden – one of the hallmarks of David Yeo’s design – and pendant lights and “floating” candles resembling burning rocks which give a warm cosy glow to complement the earth tones of the restaurant.

David collaborated on the design with Yukio Hashimoto, often called Tokyo’s top restaurant interior designer, to add authentic Japanese design touches and custom-made materials, including the lavish black and gold kimono fabric finishes on the round banquette seats in the main dining room specially made in Japan for this project by a well known textile designer.

Beyond the main dining room are two private tatami rooms for more intimate dining occasions, as well as three interconnected mezzanine level VIP rooms overlooking the action below. There is also a sumibiyaki (charcoal) grill room where customers can order the choicest cuts of wagyu, steaks and fresh seafood grilled a la minute in their presence. The sumibiyaki grill room has a special design feature – a wall of uplit roses within glass panels randomly accentuated using special lens filters. It is a design first used by Yukio Hashimoto in Ginza, Tokyo. The design was demolished some years ago, and David Yeo was delighted when Yukio Hashimoto agreed to recreate an updated interpretation of it. It is not to be missed and is visible from outside the complex when looking past the “white pine” courtyard with its black reflecting pool.

A huge projection wall at the back of the restaurant provides atmospheric lighting effects, or can be used for presentations and messages during private events.

Japanese born Chef Yakuwa Kazuaki heads the kitchens and was trained in many aspects of Japanese culinary art, including lead roles in many celebrated sushi, kaiseki (haute cuisine), shabu-shabu and sukiyaki restaurants in Japan and the USA. He was also head chef at Tokyo’s famous Edesse and at Kappo Arai where he was able to refine his skills in fugu – the unique and complex art of preparing the highly poisonous Japanese blowfish.

Hex Bar

Adjoining Shiro Matsu on the ground floor of the complex is the chic cocktail bar and lounge Hex. Hex takes its name from the geometrical hexagonal shapes which are its design theme and inspiration.

The dark sultry space can seat up to 80, and is ideal for pre dinner cocktails, late night lounging with friends or private hire for parties and events. Bright multi-coloured hexagonal light features illuminate the dark interiors, and an optical illusion “tunnel” leads diners towards the entrance foyer to Agua upstairs.

With resident mixologist Jackie Ho, a former bartender of the year in Hong Kong running the bar, and regular well known DJs spinning tunes, Hex is the place to be seen sipping extravagant champagne and fruit infused cocktails like the bar’s signature Shiro Matsu Queen and Southern Peach.

Agua Restaurant and Tapas Bar

Fiery and passionate red hues and warm candle glows characterize this modern Spanish restaurant on the upper level of the building.

Designed to appeal equally for more casual grazing on tapas over a glass of wine or full sit down dining, Agua features an open kitchen tapas bar, an adjacent main dining room and an elegant outdoor terrace for al fresco dining with stunning views of The Legation Quarter perfect for a romantic dinner for two or larger party gathering under the stars. There are also two small private rooms for a more intimate occasion.

The food here by celebrated Chef Jordi Valles Claverol from Barcelona is heavily accented on the more refined tastes of Northern Spain, lighter in texture and taste, including wonderful fresh prawns and squid. Signature dishes from Jordi, who gained his experienced from Michelin starred restaurants in France and Spain include cochinillo asado con patatas y chalotas – traditional style crispy suckling pig served with shallots and baby potatoes, and, carrillera de ternera lacada, pure de calabaza y frutos secos – slowly cooked veal cheek with pumpkin pure and crushed nuts.

In contrast Chef Jordi also offers a selection of gutsy and hearty tapas dishes prepared fresh at the open kitchen tapas bar, using only the highest quality ingredients and seasonal produce, most of which are sourced from overseas.

Fez Bar – al fresco Marrakech souk bar

Offering a stylish, chilled out vibe that is unique to Beijing, Fez Bar is an expansive seasonal open air 10,000 square foot rooftop bar above Agua which features big comfortable lounging beds, Moroccan style coloured glass lanterns under traditional tents and a big wooden deck which serves as a dance floor.

For hot lazy days or cool starry evenings, Fez is destined to be the place to meet and chill in Beijing. Guests can laze beneath the traditional tents or on the beds, and gaze up at the stars while DJs spin hot beats.

The design captures the sultry spirit of Marrakech, but is inspired by Beijing’s Islamic heritage, an import from the days of the historic Silk Road from Central Asia to China. And attention to the Islamic details includes a typical Marrakech courtyard rectangular fountain.

Fez opens till late and features a casual tapas menu from Agua and sushi menu from Shiro Matsu.

The Legation Quarter

The Legation Quarter is a majestic new world class integrated lifestyle complex in the expansive and beautifully restored three acre compound of the former American Legation built in 1906 during the Qing dynasty.

It compromises world class fine dining restaurants, sophisticated club and lounge venues, luxury retail establishments, a museum quality contemporary art gallery and Beijing’s only repertory and multi-purpose theatre, ideal for meetings and events.

Located adjacent to Tiananmen Square, The Legation Quarter’s chequered history is a vivid reflection of Europe’s interaction with China. Although most of the buildings were destroyed in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, the remaining buildings are magnificent and laden with historical significance.

Shiro Matsu, Agua, Fez and Hex are all located within The Legations Quarter at No. 23, Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100006.

For further information or to make a reservation please call (86-10) 6559 6266.