Beijing

Sunday brunch

Scene a Cafe, China World Hotel, welcomes the blossoming of spring with Good Friday dinner, Easter Saturday and Sunday brunches. Easter favorites are roast lamb and glazed ham. Easter Sunday brunch will also feature healthy carrot and orange shooters, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Treats for children include Easter-egg painting. March 29-31. 010-6505-2266 Ext 35.

Easter for family

Celebrate Easter with a family gathering at InterContinental Beijing Beichen. Enjoy the sumptuous Easter brunch spread of traditional Easter favorites like roast lamb, goose liver, Boston lobsters, hot cross buns, Italian Easter meat pie and Majeiritsa. If you're celebrating the day as a family, an Easter egg hunt will be a must-do for small children. 010-8437-1345.

We love wine

This month the wine tasting at Kerry's Pantry, Kerry Hotel Beijing, will change things up a bit. Guests will learn a bit on all things wine, so that you can fully enjoy everything on offer. For only 50 yuan, try five kinds of wines and canaps and join hotel sommelier Simon Sun as he explores the "do's and don'ts" of wine. Receive a 20-percent discount on wines purchased during the event. 6:30-8:30 pm, March 17. 010-8565-2788.

Bubbly Sunday brunch

The Westin Beijing Financial Street is ready for Easter Sunday with Bubbly Sunday Brunch. The extravagant feast flows through from Senses Signature Restaurant all the way to Prego Italian Restaurant, complemented with free-flow Champagne, wines, beers and cocktails. While you enjoy a laid-back Easter weekend with family and friends, the little ones can indulge in exciting activities including the Easter egg hunt, egg painting and cake decoration. March 31. 010-6629-7810.

Traditional Japanese paper hotpot

Choose from a range of Japanese seafood hotpots at Honzen, Kempinski Hotel Beijing. These feature fresh scallops, shrimp and cuttlefish, Japanese king crab leg with vegetables. 148 yuan per person, plus a 15 percent surcharge. Until March 30. 010-6410-4220.

Hainan

Raffles to open on Hainan Island

Raffles Hainan resort will launch a soft opening on March 31, becoming the first luxury resort at Clearway Bay. The hotel injects elements and motifs of Balinese and Hainan Li ethnic group into the design of the two wings, providing guests with exotic decor. Raffles Hainan is part of Clearway Bay luxury landmark, which features two championship golf courses and a marina designed to host 200 yachts. 0898-8338-9888.

Shanghai

Hanging out at Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree Shanghai on The Bund is introducing a special tea set presented in customized hanging cages placed next to each table. The chef has prepared a low-calorie set that includes delicious healthy dishes like a shrimp and lettuce wrap, spinach and mushroom sandwich and tuna bruschetta with olive oil and marinated sardine. 021-2509-1188.

Crab shell cakes

The Grand Central Hotel Shanghai is introducing a new set of crab shell cakes, a traditional Shanghainese snack. The crispy crab shell cakes, filled with fresh shrimp and crab meat, will be launched soon at the hotel's Wang Bao He Restaurant on Fuzhou Road. 021-6322-3673.

Sunday market buffet

Pudong City Bistro of the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East is featuring a lively Sunday market-style buffet with live cooking stations and interactive presentations at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highlights include oyster starters, a caviar station, a fresh seafood counter and a large assortment of salad ingredients and fresh fruit. 021-6036-8888.

Celebrating Italian cuisine

Favola Italian Restaurant of the Le Royal Meridien Shanghai invites the great Italian chefs of the city to express their love of Italian cuisine. The chefs will prepare a series of classic dishes and new creations based on traditional Mediterranean delicacies, which is sure to be a memorable experience for aficionados of Italian cuisine. 021-3318-9999 Ext 7778.

Steak potpourri

The Grill Room, a steakhouse at the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai, is featuring fine imported Australian Wagyu and Angus steaks in a wide variety of sizes, cuts and cooking styles. The Grill Room's marble Antipasto Bar has a wide selection of condiments, sauces and salads to accompany the perfectly char-grilled meats. 021-3858-0728.

(China Daily 03/16/2013 page13)