Hot pot restaurants

Donglaishun Jianguomen branch

One of Beijing's earliest and most popular Muslim mutton hot pot restaurants. Sesame cake and traditional Beijing small eats are also available. 11am-10pm. 2 Xiaoyangmao Hutong, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6524-1387.

Manfulou

Small copper pot in traditional Chinese-style but with solid heating. Popular among foreign expats. 11am-11pm. 38 Di'anmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. 6404-3773.

Huocheng Laoma Dewai branch

Sichuan-style hot pot, good decor, middle to high prices.11am-11pm. No 9 Yard Jiaochangkou Jie, Deshengmenwai, Haidian District. 8206-8882.

Dingdingxiang East Plaza branch

10am-10pm. 2/F Yuanjia Apartment Bldg, B Block East Plaza, 40 Dongzhongjie, Dongcheng District. 6417-9289.

Kuo Bee Pen Da

Fancy Taiwan- and Hong Kong- style hot pot. 11 am-3pm. 4/F 8 Gongti Xilu. 6551-8606.

Lemon Leaf

Thai-style hot pot and Hong Kong drink and snacks. 10am-11pm. 15 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District. 6462-5505.

Hotel listing

French loving

The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel Beijing's famous French Bistro aims to provide a distinct and memorable Valentine's Day experience. An elegant French ambiance, plus a creative Valentine's Day set menu will satisfy the needs of couples looking to enjoy a night of fine French cuisine in a romantic atmosphere. 6590-5566 ext 2119

A festive feast

Chef Hong Sai Choi and his team at Huang Ting, The Peninsula Beijing, prepare two special Spring Menus, available at lunch and dinner throughout February 2007. The festive menus, called "Ru Yi" and "Ji Xiang", feature traditional Lunar New Year dishes such as wok-fried shrimp, stewed dried oyster, live steamed mandarin fish and braised shredded duck. 8516-2888 ext 6707

Sweet serenades

Get the passion flowing with a romantic dinner, sweet serenades and candlelight ambience at Caf Cha, Shangri-La Hotel Beijing, on February 14. Cafe Cha's special Valentine's Day buffet dinner includes two glasses of French champagne and lucky draw prizes. 6841-2211 ext 2715

Gate Crashing the party

Tang Club will open a new nightclub on 8 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu on January 24. The club will include a top-level dance floor, VIP areas, Taiwan style restaurant, a garden style club for foreign expats, and a passion bar created by European music bran Gate Crasher. 6500-8888

Korean

Sorabol

Traditional Korean fare in spacious and comfortable setting, with fantastic hot pot noodles and some of the best marinated beef in town.

11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm. B1/F, Lufthansa Centre, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu. 6465-1215.

2/F Liangmahe Building, 8 Dongsanhuan Lu. 6590-0630. 82rooms, the sushi bar is an enjoyable place for a formal Japanese-style dinner. 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm. 5/F Twin Towers, B12, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 5120-8881.

Vegetarian

Pure Lotus

Known for its artistic Buddhist decoration and elaborate presentation. Expensive but worth it. Daily 11 am-11 pm. Inside the yard of Zhongguo Wenlian (China Federation of Literary and Art Circles), No 10 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. 6592-3627.103/F Holiday Inn Lido, Jiangtai Lu, Jichang Lu. 8703-6668.

Other restaurants

Morel's Beijing

Beijing's 1st and only Belgian restaurant, and one of the capital's best Western restaurants. Also worth trying are its 50 choices of Belgian beers.

11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm. Tuesday-Sunday. Morel's (Gongti): 1/F, No 5 Red Building, Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District (Opp North Gate of Worker's Gymnasium) 6416-8802. Morel's (Liangma):East Block, No 27 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6437-3939

Old Beijing Impression Royal Restaurant

Chinese official-style food that is exquisitely presented and elaborately seasoned, with early 20th century Chinese stunt performances staged at the same time. Average spending 300 yuan per person and up.

10:30am-2pm, 4:30-9pm. Inside Wanping city, Fengtai District, near Western Fifth Ring Road on Jingshi Expressway.8389-5378 (in Chinese).

A 21 Rest HouseSouthwest China ethnic minority cuisine from Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, presented in Western style. 11am-10pm, A 21 Beitucheng Donglu, Chaoyang District. 6489-5066.

Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant Sanlitun branch

Roast duck, Chinese home-style dishes served in Western style. 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm. 100 meters inside north gate of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District. 8561-5985.

Bao Bao Hao Hot Pot

Environment is not ideal, but the pots, especially chicken pot, pork pot and mutton pot, are tasty. 11am-2pm, 5pm-10:30pm. A 12 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District, 200 metres to the north of Chaoyangmenqiao on East Second Ring Road. 6552-3712.

Laoxiu Xiyu Shifu

One of the biggest Uygur restaurants in town; performances at 7:30pm-9:30pm. 10:30am-10pm. 411 Huizhong Beili, Chaoyang District. 6486-2555.

Qomolangma Hotel Beijing

Tibetan aristocrat-style banquet for groups of eight people or more. Tibetan song and dance, set meals between 200 yuan (US$25) and 500 yuan (US$61) per person. Reservations 24 hours in advance. A la carte available. 11am-2pm, 5pm-8pm. 149 Gulou Xidajie, Qomolangma Hotel. 6401-8822 ext 1101 (in Chinese).

Japanese

Wasabiya

A two-storey restaurant with a pub-style ground floor, soft cushioned seats and private rooms with mattresses on the first floor. The food is a fusion of Japanese and Italian. 11am-11pm, 45 Shunyuan Jie, Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. 6462-6578.

French

Brasserie FloOne of the most hailed places by the locals to eat "authentic" French food in a romantic ambience, at a cost. There is a terrace to get some sunlight and the oysters are imported. Daily noon-3:30pm, 6pm-midnight. 2/F Rainbow Plaza, 16 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. 6595-5135.

Cuisine GalleryClassic ambience and innovative food. Good hotel service. Can be quite empty if it's not a holiday. Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm. 2/F Novotel Xinqiao Hotel, 2 dongjiaominxiang, Dongcheng District. 6513-3366 ext 2206.

Justine'sTraditional and renovated French food. There is a healthy set meal for the ladies. Daily 6:30pm-9:30pm. 1/F Jianguo Hotel, 5 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6500-2233 ext 803.

Maxim's de ParisClassic food and dcor. Popular among the locals. A bit dark inside. Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm. 2 Chongwenmen Xidajie, Chaongwen District. 6512-1992.

(China Daily 01/18/2007 page8)