Ignace Lecleir to Leave Maison Boulud

Just two months ago, Beijinger readers voted Maison Boulud “Best French,” "Outstanding Decor," "Best Service," "Best for a Romantic Meal," “Best Wine List” and "Non-Chinese Restaurant of the Year" in our 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. Time Out awarded it “Best International Restaurant” and Restaurant of the Year”, whilst City Weekend named it “Best French” and “Best Service”. But a lot can happen in two months…

Since then, Legation Quarter neighbor and “Best Steak” award winner The Meat & Wine Co. closed its doors, along with Zen 1903 and Agua, Shiro Matsu and Fez Bar before it. Now, the latest news is that the GM of Maison Boulud, Ignace Lecleir, will be leaving at the end of the month.

With only two restaurants left in the Legation Quarter (the other is Ristorante Sadler), what does this mean for the future of Beijing's most highly-regarded restaurant? We spoke to a senior manager at the restaurant who told us that despite all these recent setbacks, Maison Boulud will definitely remain open. They said, “Everyone is sad about Ignace leaving, but at the same time we have to work hard to maintain the same level of service.” We were also told that the head office of the Daniel Boulud empire in New York will be handling the recruitment for Ignace’s replacement. Ignace himself was GM at Daniel in Manhattan for three years before coming to Beijing.

Some rumors suggested that Ignace might be moving to Daniel Boulud’s new restaurant project in Singapore, but these are unconfirmed, and according to a post by Beijing Boyce, Ignace “plans to stay in Beijing and is looking into new opportunities.” If that’s the case it'll come as a relief to his many devoted fans, who showered praise on the Belgian front of house maestro in our 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards survey, naming him “the most professional restaurant manager in the city”, and praising his “personalized service which makes all guests feel welcome”. We hope to follow with more information soon.

Maison Boulud was the winner not only of the Best Restaurant award but also the Best Service award, and our voters gave much of the credit to Lecleir himself. Here are some quotes from voters in this year's tbj Reader Restaurant Awards:

"It's easy to see how the efficient and attentive manner of its debonair manager, Ignace Lecleir, trickles down throughout the entire staff. The service has never been anything other than impeccable."

"There is an attention to detail and subtlety of taste sensation that reminds one of a decent restaurant in London or Paris. And Ignace and his staff do a good job of making it feel like a decent European restaurant."

"Ignace Leclair, as the GM, offers personalized service which makes all guests feel welcome."

"Ignace, the general manager, is a superb host and pays attention to the smallest detail. It is unusual to find someone of his quality in London, let alone Beijing."

"Ignace is the most professional restaurant manager in the city, and has done a great job of building a good front of house team there."

"I have grown so tired of being served at restaurants with pretensions of high quality service but where the staff have no idea what is really expected of them by the diners, but dining at Maison Boulud that has never been an issue. Whether it's because of the training that the restaurant provided to the staff, or the devotion of Ignace Lecleir to these matters I don't know, but it has been very successful, in my view."