Hotel listings

BEIJING

Mediterranean fare

Grand Caf at Grand Hyatt Beijing offers a weekend buffet every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 3 pm, and from 5:30 to 10:30 pm, featuring natural and wholesome Mediterranean cuisine. Patrons can tuck into seafood, meats and seasonal vegetables, with olives, herbs and spices typical of the region. Chefs will prepare dishes a la minute in the interactive show kitchen. 010-8518-1234 ext 3628.

Mooncake sale

A mooncake cabin has been set up in the lobby of The Presidential Hotel Beijing. Four types of gift boxes, priced from 88 yuan (four cakes) to 188 yuan (eight cakes), are on sale. The stuffings range from white lotus paste and yolk to low-sugar pumpkin paste and yolk and mashed jujube. 010-5858-5588 ext 8620

Chinese cuisine

New chef Stephen Lo starts cooking new Chinese dishes at The Horizon, Shangri-La's Kerry Center Hotel. Examples include wok-fried assorted seafood with crispy fish, and sauteed lobster and crab roe with fresh milk.

010-6561-2626

Bird's nest and sea cucumber

Huamei Garden is doing a promotion of bird's nest from Malaysia at 138 yuan per person, and Japanese sea cucumber at 98 yuan per person, plus 15 percent surcharge. Bird's nest is supposed to be rich in minerals and good for the skin, replenishing the yin factor in the body. Sea cucumber does not contain any cholesterol and is especially good for men.

010-6708-1188 ext 2201

Beer garden

Relax in Bavarian style, accompanied by great food and home-brewed Paulaner beer served in a hotel garden at Kempinski Hotel. Enjoy classic white Munich sausage and Paulaner Hefe Weissbier served with oven-fresh pretzels, from 11am-noon on Saturday and Sunday at 120 yuan per person, with a free refill of beer. The price is subject to a 15 percent surcharge. 010-6465-3388 ext 5732

Martini Sunday brunch

Savor six different flavors of martini at the CBD International Cuisine, Grand Millennium Beijing. The well-stocked buffet offers plenty of choices, at 298 yuan per person, plus 15 percent surcharge. Pay another 70 yuan and enjoy free flow of Martini, Mumms Champagne and wines.

010-6530-9383

SHANGHAI

Land ahoy!

Get ready for a week of pirate-themed carnivals from Aug 3 to 7 on the fourth floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. All Aboard, a summer festival with the theme of beach parties, sand and pirates, will be held in the expansive grand ballroom and attached outdoor area. Enjoy the parties, palm trees and even a shipwrecked boat from 5 pm to 10 pm, as well as tropical-themed food and drinks. There is no entrance fee.

021- 6888- 0888 ext 5

What's the beef?

Epicure on 45, the revolving restaurant within the Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World, is presenting a selection of black Angus beef from Australia this August. Guests can choose from tenderloin, strip loin, rib eye or tenderloin with lobster tail. All steaks are served with a mixed salad and baked potato with a choice of pepper, mushroom, Barnaise sauce or herb butter.

021- 6359- 9999 ext 4210

Happy meal

The Aroma Sunday brunch at Hyatt on the Bund offers mouthwatering waffles, crepes, eggs benedict, dim sum, sushi and even a kid's corner in the lower lobby with games such as "rubber-duck fishing". The brunch is available from 11:30 am to 3 pm every Sunday for 258 yuan plus a 15 percent surcharge. Children aged 6 to 12 can enjoy a 50 percent discount while toddlers get to eat and play for free.

021- 6393- 1234 ext 6322

Taste of Singapore

From Aug 9 to 23, the O' Cafe restaurant at the Millennium Hongqiao Hotel Shanghai will take guests on a culinary journey through Singapore. Savor the unique aromas and flavors of authentic chili crab, laksa, satay and fried noodles for a buffet lunch (138 yuan) or dinner (198 yuan).

021- 6208- 5888 ext 71209

Water's edge

Bail out of the summer heat and spend the day relaxing by the edge of the swimming pool at the Park Hyatt Shanghai. Throughout August, book a one-hour facial or massage between 10 am and 2pm and enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea at the Living Room Caf afterwards.

021- 6888- 1234 ext 4250

(China Daily 08/01/2009 page8)