Weekend wonder

T.G.I. Friday's prepares summer treats with New York characteristics until September 10 at its three outlets in Beijing. Dishes include Manhattan vodka and slush, SOHO Asia nachos, Broadway lemon chicken, Chinatown imperial ribs, Brooklyn Italian beef salad and Wall Street peppercorn New York Steak. 6622-0880.

Tasty tapas

Executive chef Thierry Dieu at Galleria Bar, Novotel Xinqiao Beijing, prepares cool cocktails, delicate wine and authentic Basque tapas for the summertime suppers. 6513-3366.

Bring on the BBQ

Chang Fu Gong Hotel's chef of Orchid Terrace Cafe cooks up seasonal and fresh food for guests. Until Aug 31. 5877-5530.

Bountiful buffet

Courtyard Cafe by the Marriott Beijing provides a buffet for every taste bud from the East and the West. Available Mon-Fri. Buffet includes daily soup, salad bar, main dishes, dim sum, desserts and drinks. 6708-1188 Ext 2210.

Backyard boozehounds

Beer Garden at Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing provides a great selection of flavorful BBQ foodstuffs and lots of beer, along with a variety of salad and ice cream. Open daily from 5pm-midnight until Sep 30. 8522-1999 ext 5126.

Taste of Italy

Taste authentic Italian flavor at Cafe Restaurant, Days Hotel & Suites Beijing, which holds an Italian Food Promotion through July. 8778-9888 Ext 262.

Lounge lizards

Beat the stress by having a signature summer cocktail at the Kranzler's Garden Lounge, Kempinski Hotel Beijing. At night, resident saxophonists will entertain you with French and Latino rhythms (Wed,Thu). 6465-3388 Ext 4105.

Just Japanese

Guest chef Masahiko Miura from Japan prepares a stellar lineup of traditional Japanese cuisine at the Grand Cafe, Grand Hyatt Beijing. Dishes are provided by the chef a la minute in the show kitchen using imported ingredients from Japan. Scallops steamed in sake, mackerel simmered in miso, hijiki seaweed, oden (Japanese hot pot) and tempura. July 13-22. 8518-1234 Ext 6387

Eating Nemo

Act cruelly towards king crabs, oysters, abalone, lobster, prawns, salmon and many other seafood dishes at Elements, Hilton Beijing. Seafood is served with squeezed lemon and grilled, steamed, kebabed or fried into a meal at a live cooking station. Every Fri in Jul. 5865-5246.

Zest for the best

Chef Guilio at Prego, The Westin Beijing, creates a diverse smorgasbord of antipasto platters that embodies different regions in Italy, plus the ideal Italian wine to go with it. Jul 7-8. 6606-8866.

Pearl of a place

Fresh Oysters imported from France have arrived at Le Cabernet. Available every weekend. 6512-8833 Ext 7621.

Other Malay restaurants

Cafe Sambal

This Malay/Singaporean eatery located in a small hutong house is known for its fresh sambal and curry dishes. Noon-midnight. 43 Doufuchi Hutong, east of Jiugulou Dajie, Xicheng District. 6400-4875. 西城区豆腐池胡同43号,旧鼓楼大街东侧

Nyonya Kitchen (娘惹厨房)

Peranakan cuisine, or Straits Chinese food. Spices and curry pastes fresh from Malaysia. 11am-9pm. Tue-Sun. Across from Gaojiayuan High School, opposite the Lido Hotel, Chaoyang District. 6433-7377. 朝阳区高家园中学丽都饭店对面

Traders Cafe (三江咖啡厅)

This hotel eatery offers high-standard Malaysian cuisine at a high hotel price. 1/F Traders Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6505-2277 Ext 35. 朝阳区建国门外大街一号一层

(China Daily 07/04/2007 page8)