Beijing

Swills and thrills

Lido Fountain Piazza is open every afternoon until midnight, with live band performances until 10 pm, when the TV is turned on to show the European Football Championship. The venue offers a buffet, appetizers, beer, fine wine and cold drinks. There is a big screen in the middle of the Piazza and individual TVs in every booth. It is a good place for gatherings of family and friends, and for business parties. There will be various parties in the following months.

010-6437-6688 Ext 1275.

Classics with a twist

Brain Yang, chef de cuisine at IFW, Park Hyatt Beijing, blends contemporary flair with classic Chinese recipes in a new menu. He will be cooking with some of his favorite ingredients, such as New Zealand lamb chops and Australian beef. One highlight is stewed beef briskets mixed with sesame glass noodles. IFW is located on the LG/F, Park Life, Beijing Yintai Center.

010-8567-1838.

Bubbly brunch

Wake up early on Sundays and enjoy the "soFEASTication" champagne brunch at Feast restaurant in Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel. It offers free flow of Taittinger champagne in addition to an extravagant buffet of gastronomic delights. It includes freshly shucked seasonal oysters, Boston lobster, king crab and an array of sashimi and seafood. Savor Tomahawk steak, Chinese BBQ and Japanese Teppanyaki. 11:30 am-3 pm, every Sunday.

010-5798-8908.

New chef, new dishes

With more than 20 years of experience, executive chef Daniel Jiang and his team at Chynna, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, have developed a new menu featuring a wide range of Cantonese and Beijing specialties. Besides a variety of seasonal dishes, items are separated into 15 categories - all produced using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Some examples are Beijing roast duck, Shunde baked fish heads in casserole and fried codfish fillets with Bali island sauce.

010-5812-8888 Ext 8411.

BBQ for you

Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel provides fun, food and drinks every evening during its Best Brews BBQ promotion. Guests can connect with like-minded people and team up with friends for games, and watch the Euro Cup and Olympic Games live, while enjoying a BBQ buffet with free flow of beer.

010-8889-8639.

Zhongshan

Green and serene

To introduce the city's newly established comprehensive greenways system in the spirit of pursuing a low carbon lifestyle, Shangri-La Hotel, Zhongshan has launched the Greenway Tour Package from March 1, 2012. The package rate starts from 888 yuan and is valid until Dec 30, 2012. Rates are subject to a 15 percent service charge. Benefits include a one-night weekend stay in a Superior Room, free use of bicycles and treatments.

0760-8838-6888.

Shanghai

Crustacean sensation

Despite its small size, the Shanghai hairy crab contains plenty of crab cream, a smooth texture and abundant calcium. The Chinese Restaurant Baiyulan invites you to try it in June. Meals are subject to a 15 percent service charge.

021-6415-1111 Ext 5215.

Nice rice dumplings

The Dragon Boat Festival comes in June and is a season of celebration throughout the Chinese-speaking world.

Yin Chu Xuan restaurant offers four types of traditional rice dumplings for the festival.

All of Guoman's rice dumplings will be on sale in The Lounge from June 1-23, so you can bring this delicious seasonal creation home to your family or present them to your friends.

021-6095-8888 Ext 7086.

Film meets food

As one of the designated hotels of the 15th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), The Westin Bund Center Shanghai will celebrate this grand event from June 16-24 with a series of SIFF-themed buffet dinners. Enjoy a selection of movie-inspired dishes from Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Thailand, Brazil and Turkey.

When dining at the Stage and Prego restaurants during the festival, present your SIFF ticket stub and enjoy one complimentary glass of wine or beer. Guests will also take home specially designed SIFF pastries.

021-6335-1888 Ext 7368.

International Buffet Dinner

The new Coffee Shop at Central Hotel Shanghai features Asian and international cuisine. Its buffet dinner includes a healthy hot-pot as well as exquisite cold dishes, hot dishes, snacks and French traditional homemade dessert.

021-5396-5000 Ext 80826.

China Daily