(Beijing weekend)
Updated: 2007-05-18 10:01

Olive oil is the star of Mediterranean fare, but the cuisine is in fact a mlange of influences from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Featured flavors are from Italy, France, Spain and Greece as well as Arab countries. To sample Mediterranean food, head to The Grand Cafe at the Grand Hyatt Beijing, which is hosting a themed buffet for lunch and dinner each weekend.

While the selection of dishes is somewhat limited, the buffet still gives people an idea of what good Mediterranean foods are.

Braised pork tripes are in Roman style. Eggplant parmigiana and braised cabbage meatballs are Italian dishes. Veal ossobuco is French. Salads are Greek or Spanish.

Chef Samuele Rossi is from Italy and has worked for three years as chef de cuisine at Da Giorgio Italian Restaurant and Grand Caf. That explains a lot of Italian touches in the food.

"The seasoning used in Mediterranean style includes olives, lemon, and a range of local spices including red chili, which we like to be fresh," said the chef. "Extra virgin and virgin oil is used in all the salads."

Foods to try include a large selection of cheese and bread, all imported from Italy, hot dishes offered from an open counter, fresh salad, chef's selection of seafood, home-made icecream and Italian dessert. You can find large chunks of sea crab, oyster, and hearty roast pork. The Italian icecream and desserts are also a must.

Lunch and dinner buffet costs 268 yuan per person.

10:30am-3:00pm, 5:30-10:30pm, every Sat, Sun.
Address:2/F Grand Hyatt Beijing, 1 Chang'an Avenue.
Tel: 010-8518-1234 Ext 3628.