Bargain bites

Some of Beijing's best restaurants are offering active promotions, especially for their business lunches, perhaps to ease the bite of the ongoing financial crisis.

At Maison Boulud (布鲁宫法餐厅), for example, a formal 4-course dinner would have cost no less than 600 yuan per person. But their business lunch from Monday to Friday is priced at just 165 yuan per person, with three courses. You can choose from three appetizers or soup, three main courses, and two desserts. The main courses include cod fish, sauted lamb rack, and Italian risotto. For dessert, the choices go from coconut and fruit flavored cake to chocolate peanut mousse. The price does not include drinks.

Their Sunday brunch offers more choice, but the price is a bit higher-choose two courses at 158 yuan per person, and three courses at 208 yuan per person. But it is still a good deal. The restaurant changes its lunch-set menu every two weeks.