IN BRIEF

Icy-cold beer

What could possibly be better than a big frosty mug of beer to escape from the heat, especially in the crowded Expo Garden? Asahi Beer Garden in Puxi's Zone D area offers visitors a glass of cold beer, ranging from its signature Super Dry to its imported Asahi Black. The venue also offers five different Japanese set meals, including a curry set and takoyaki set.

North side of the Aurora Pavilion, Zone D, 021-3330- 0133, daily from 10 am to 10 pm

Free weekends away

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has launched the Starwood Preferred Guest Free Weekends campaign. Both new and existing Starwood Preferred Guest members who stay at a Starwood property three times between May 1 and June 30 will earn a free weekend night with no blackout dates. Visit spg.com/freeweekends for more information.

French treat

With its two restaurants nestled on the tree-lined Wulumuqi Road and in the Gubei area, Caf Montmartre offers a variety of authentic French cuisine. Its focus on rich and soothing classic dishes ranges from the simple cream of mushroom soup to the robust balance of grilled lamb chops. And the business lunch sets are a steal. On your way out, be sure to grab a fruit cocktail from the bar. Open for lunch and dinner with a weekend brunch at the Hongmei Road location.

Gubei store: 3911 Hongmei Road, 021-6261-8089; daily 11 am to 11 pm

Changle branch: 66-68 Wulumuqi Road M, 021-5158- 9377, daily 11 am to 11 pm

Shanghai's best

Xieyuan Shanghainese Restaurant, inside the Bund Riverside Hotel, offers the next generation of Shanghainese cuisine with both authentic and improved dishes from Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Signature dishes include sweet chili prawns, crispy duck, sweet and sour spare ribs and braised pork in soy sauce.

398 Beijing Road E, 021-6352-2888, daily 6 am to midnight

Location, location

The Mandarin Hotel's convenient location between Putuo, Jing'an and Changning districts has helped it tap into a new demographic of business travelers in the area. The beautiful view of Suzhou Creek is the icing on the cake.

1086 Changshou Road, 021-5256-2222

Shi Yingying

(China Daily 05/07/2010 page46)