Xin Rong Ji
The Xin Rong Ji restaurant on Xinyuan South Road in Beijing, undoubtedly a flagship of the Xin Rong Ji brand, sets itself apart not because it holds three Michelin stars, but due to the derived sense of mission and responsibility to maintain that Michelin glory. This essence, felt by the staff, significantly elevates the customer experience.
High-end restaurants thrive on dreams, and the Xin Rong Ji on Xinyuan South Road has crafted such a dream. Driven by this vision, this branch's performance is astonishingly impressive within the New Rong Ji chain.
During a weekday dinner, we asked the restaurant manager to arrange a menu for a casual girls' night out, mentioning a budget of 1500-2000 yuan and specifying no need for large dishes. Often, when ordering à la carte at other restaurants, they tend to max out the budget. However, this manager's selection was astute, incorporating fish, shrimp, and crab within our modest budget, covering cold dishes, soup, seafood, staple food, and dessert. The manager also left room in the menu, reserving a vegetarian dish for us to decide later if we could manage it, showing flexibility and consideration. Additionally, two seasonal green dumplings were offered as a complimentary taste. After confirming the menu, we were asked if we would like a glass of champagne. The final bill, including service charge, was around 1800 yuan, neatly around the mid-point of our budget. The precisely tailored menu and refined service, with pleasant surprises, made for an exemplary start to our experience.
During the meal, the staff didn't intrude much, as my friend and I were deeply engaged in conversation. Notably, when I asked to reheat some steamed shrimp I hadn't eaten while hot, they were returned peeled and neatly arranged. The manager served them wearing disposable gloves, emphasizing both personal touch and hygiene.
When it came to dessert, my friend discovered it was mango sago, to which she's allergic. It was our oversight for not mentioning this earlier. Nevertheless, the restaurant apologized for not double-checking dessert preferences and promptly offered a replacement. It was 10 PM, and they served us almond flakes while a dessert chef, who had already finished for the night, reopened his station to cook us a special chicken head rice dessert. This act of dedication, going beyond expectations without seeking recognition, was touching.
Especially considering it was my first visit, and it appeared to be just a regular girls' night out without ordering anything extravagant, I had casually mentioned wanting to see what made this Michelin three-star restaurant special. Perhaps it was their desire to uphold their Michelin accolades that lent an extra resilience to their service. As a demanding patron of high-end dining, I was deeply moved by the experience at this Xin Rong Ji branch. Good service is like a game of chess; you don't have to say anything, but we understand each other.
