TEMPLE OF GASTRONOMY

The Temple is now open, much to the delight of Beijing's worshippers of haute cuisine. Temple Restaurant Beijing or TRB as it wants to be known, is tucked away in the Dongcheng hutongs past the National Art Museum and promises to be an instant draw for the city's gourmets. Dishes "are thoroughly 21st-century but also firmly rooted in the grand traditions of the past". You won't need to consult an oracle to know it's going to be the flavor of the month.- Pauline D LOH

23 Songzhusi, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District. Beijing

010-8400 2232

E-mail: meet@temple-restaurant.com

STAY. SIMPLE. TABLE

The capital city's latest restaurant by a Michelin-starred chef is S.T.A.Y. or "Simple Table Alleno Yannick" at the Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing. S.T.A.Y. has been challenging existing benchmarks of both food and service after it opened in September this year. Alleno has already collected a total of five Michelin stars for his culinary expertise in Paris and Marrakech and he's obviously out to collect another in Beijing. The Wagyu beef, black cod and crab ravioli are all good, but you have to save room for the signature ribbon plate of sweet nothings. Be warned. - PDL

Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing,

29 Zizhuyuan Road,

010-6841-2211 ext 26727

E-mail: stay.slb@shangri-la.com

GLUG GLUG ...

If you didn't brave the crowds at the German Holiday Charity Bazaar last weekend, you can still get a fine cup of mulled wine at the Kempinski hotel's Gluhweinstand at its Paulaner Brauhaus Terrace, 5-8 pm daily through to Dec 23. - Mike Peters

50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 010-6465-3388

DESIGNER CUPPAS

Join fellow tea connoisseurs and amateurs on a day trip to Beijing's Maliandao Tea city on Dec 11. Start the late morning off with some light green teas, then a Fujian-style lunch, followed by an afternoon of more robust teas. Tea and gift-shopping at the end of the program. 10 am - 3 pm; 250 yuan (includes a large lunch with drinks). - MP

The Hutong, 1 Jiu Dao Wan Zhong Xiang Hutong, Beijing

Reservations: info@thehutong.com or call 15901046127

SESAME'S SNACKS

Cooking school Black Sesame's gourmet class this week focuses on two simple street snacks, Chinese flatbread and baozi. Dec 6, 11 am- 2pm; 300 yuan. - MP

3 Heizhima Hutong in Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District

13691474408

RSVP: blacksesamekitchen@gmail.com

www.blacksesamekitchen.com

(China Daily 12/04/2011 page13)