The history of Maxim’s de Paris is all over the walls, but no number of images of Cui Jian, Steven Seagal or Pierre Cardin can prepare one for how breathtaking the venue truly is.

Opened in 1983 as a joint-venture between Cardin and Beijing’s restaurant administration, the dark wood flourishes and Tiffany-style stained glass windows have not changed in over 30 years; nor has the tiny stage set into the back wall.