The restaurant so good that Chinese officials are said to be banned from going there | CNN

Like a hidden retreat once reserved for China’s ancient emperors, beyond the watch of men in black guarding the entrance opposite Beijing’s historical Lama Temple, a narrow stone path leads quietly into a courtyard. Mist drifts softly along the walkway. At its end, a woman draped in a plain cloak over a traditional Chinese dress waits beside a limewashed wall that shields the courtyard from the bustling streets of old Beijing. With a gentle gesture, she invites guests to step into the dining destination. It is not the kind of restaurant one would go to every day. It’s a place earmarked for special occasions: proposals, anniversaries or hosting. However, there’s one kind of guest who is not able to enjoy the elegant establishment, even on special occasions, even if they’re paying for the meal themselves: Chinese officials. Under government orders, officials have been banned from eating at the restaurant since last year, a Chinese source familiar with the matter told CNN. The venue is called King’s Joy. The combination of the characters in Chinese refers to the rich cultural heritage of Beijing, capital of four imperial dynasties. Reservations here have become highly soug