BEIJING

Star Wars sweets

Afternoon tea may be an alien idea for Obi Wan Kenobe, but Star Wars fans with a sweet tooth can get into the spirit of the new Star Wars film The Force Awakens with themed desserts available at East Hotel Beijing's Domain cafe. From ovens not so far, far away come R2D2 macaroons, chocolate-cherry Wookie hair mousse, Yoda scones, light-saber cookies, and - most brilliantly of all - cheese and "Ham Solo" paninis.

1:30-7 pm, Jan 1-31, at East Beijing hotel. 22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chao-yang district. 010-8414-9820.

... and Star Wars sud

Craft breweries Arrow Factory and Jing-A have teamed up to make and offer Imperial Stout Trooper beer, made with "comet and galaxy hops". The beer will be available once The Force Awakens hits theaters on Jan 9, and both breweries are planning Star Wars-themed events.

Jing-A Taproom, inside 1949 The Hidden City. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang district. 010-6501-8883.

Arrow Factory Taproom. 9 Jianchang Hutong. 010-6408-7804.

Power of ginger

Chefs at 29 Grill are capturing the warming power and medicinal qualities of ginger during January. Try ginger-marinated fish or ginger lobster or indulge in a veal fricassee with a subtle fish veloute infused with ginger. Complete your meal with a hot-chocolate mousse and ginger ice cream. Set meal is 388 yuan plus 15 percent service charge.

6-9:30 pm, Jan 1-31, Conrad Beijing hotel. 29 North Dongsanhuan Road, Chaoyang district. 010-6584-6300.

HONG KONG

Maki Wednesdays

Brazilian-born chef Rafael Gil presents quirky maki rolls every Wednesday at Ozone restaurant. Inspired by signature ingredients from 10 cities around the world, Gil infuses the maki rolls with exotic flavors without losing the essence of this traditional Japanese delicacy. Priced at HK$480 ($62) per person for unlimited orders of maki rolls, "Wacky Maki Wednesdays" promises a gourmet tour from East to West across the globe. From his home country, Gil offers the Bahia, a roll with king prawn filling cooked in home-style moqueca sauce, made with palm oil, garlic, onion, tomato and coconut milk.

6-9 pm, Wednesdays, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon district. 852-2263-2270.

(China Daily USA 12/29/2015 page9)