Our Story
Honoring the Past. Creating the Future.
Bao & Blade was born from the legacy of Hunan Empress.
A Chesterfield Tradition
More Than 38 Years at the Table
For more than 38 years, Hunan Empress has had the privilege of serving the Chesterfield community and generations of local families. We have shared in some of life’s most meaningful celebrations—from birthdays and anniversaries to weddings, family gatherings, and everyday meals around the table.
We have watched children grow up, start families of their own, and return with the next generation. Through all those years and all that change, Hunan Empress has remained a place where people come together over good food, warm hospitality, and good company.
Three Generations
Owned & Led by Women
But there is another part of our history of which we are especially proud. For three generations, Hunan Empress has been owned and led by women.
Each woman who came before us left her own mark on Hunan Empress. Each carried forward the work of the woman before her while contributing something uniquely her own. We are proud to honor their hard work, perseverance, and everything they built over nearly four decades.
Each of them was an Empress in her own right, and each helped bring us to where we are today.
A New Chapter
Bao & Blade
Now, it is our turn to carry that legacy forward. Hunan Empress is beginning a new chapter as Bao & Blade—a modern evolution of the restaurant that the Chesterfield community has known and loved for decades.
The name Bao & Blade represents the two sides of our new dining experience. “Bao” reflects the warmth, comfort, and tradition of Chinese cuisine, including our freshly prepared bao and soup dumplings. “Blade” represents the precision, freshness, and craftsmanship behind our made-to-order sushi.
We are preserving what has always made Hunan Empress special: great Chinese food, warm hospitality, and a welcoming place where families and friends can come together. Many of the Chinese favorites our guests have enjoyed for generations will remain part of our menu.
At the same time, we are introducing an exciting new all-you-can-eat dining experience featuring made-to-order sushi, Chinese favorites, freshly prepared bao, and soup dumplings. Every dish will be carefully prepared, cooked fresh, and served at your table.
The name may be changing, but our appreciation for everything that came before us is not. Bao & Blade is our way of honoring the Empresses who built our past while creating something new for the generations still to come.
Honoring 38 years of tradition. Creating something new for the next generation.
And, like always, we’ll start you off with some tea.