Brian McKenna

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR AN EXPERIENCE THAT PUSHES THE LIMITS OF WHATS POSSIBLE WITH FOOD!

Set within an elegant, period residence that evokes memories of the Qing Dynasty, The Courtyard stands moat-side in an unparalleled location at the dramatic East Gate of the Forbidden City.

Once home to the palace’s learned doctors and a holding point for expectant statesmen waiting to be called to audiences with the Emperor, the form and features of an Imperial past hold court over the restaurant’s three-storey, contemporary interior – a perfectly intimate environment for the finest of creative dining experiences.

Brian McKenna @The Courtyard offers a comfortable atmosphere across three spaces, each offering modern sophistication against the most theatrical of backdrops –the walls of the City of the Emperors.

In the kitchen Brian McKenna prepares European cuisine subtly influenced by carefully balanced hints of uniquely Asian produce and spices. Combining innovative flavours using the best of modern and traditional culinary techniques, Brian McKenna’s creations aim to excite the palette and stimulate the senses.

Widely regarded as one of the most talented chefs of his generation, Brian McKenna garnered his extensive culinary experience from some of Europe’s most renowned restaurants. From his appointment as head chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Le Poussin in the UK – aged just 21, he went on to head a selection of the UK’s most prestigious dining establishments, working alongside some of the finest chefs in the industry today.

In 2009, Brian McKenna received the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award acknowledging him as one of the World’s Best Chefs.

Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard has had the honour of hosting special guests as his patron such as Bill Clinton and David & Victoria Beckham, amongst others.

Whether you are selecting from the innovative menu in the intimate dining room, exploring a Brian McKenna culinary journey custom-tailored for a special occasion in the private room, or savouring an after-dinner McKenna-approved cigar in the Lounge overlooking The Forbidden City’s serene moat, The Courtyard always delivers an exquisite culinary dining experience