Beijing

Star chef opens restaurant

S.T.A.Y. by French chef Yannick Alleno opened its doors in Asia at Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing, on Sept 16. The three-Michelin-starred chef offers innovative and playful French cuisine. The principal characteristics of the restaurant are its Main Dining Room, Communal Table and Pastry Library. The chef will stay in Beijing until Sept 20.

010-8882-6989

French master in town

The Westin Beijing Financial Street will hold its Hats Off 2011 event in September. On Sept 29 and 30, Julien Bompard, who was appointed Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit by the French Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fishery in 2010, will bring traditional French cuisine from his flagship restaurant Le Saint Julient in Singapore. The meal costs 800 yuan ($125) each person.

010-6629-7803

Alluring venison

Chef de cuisine Matthew McCool prepares Mandagery Creek Australian farmed venison, at Aria, China World Hotel Beijing, in October. The venison is from free-range animals, and has a rich texture. Highlights include braised venison shank ravioli, venison carpaccio, and roasted venison saddle.

010-6505-2266 Ext 38

Curry in a hurry

Kunlun Hotel is offering curry lovers a variety of choices for the upcoming cool season. The stir-fried crab with red curry, braised sea whelk with yellow curry, and seafood with green curry, among others, should have you running for lots of water by the end of this dining session. The curry fest is on till the end of November at the Ma Cherrie Thai and Vietnamese Restaurant in Kunlun for lunch and dinner.

010-6590-3388

Japan-tour deal

Chinese tourists are being offered a super, four-day tour to Japan for 3,980 yuan each by China Eastern Airlines, thanks to a partnership between West Japan Railway Company and China International Travel Service. Sign up before Oct 22 to explore Kyoto, Osaka and other places in Kansai, Japan.

010-8468-2760

Shanghai

All-you-can-eat hairy crabs

In October, hairy crab season, Aroma restaurant at Hyatt on the Bund will additionally provide free-flow Chinese rice wine, which brings you the perfect aftertaste. Apart from hairy crab, you can also enjoy the live cooking stations that serve instant wok-fried dishes, freshly prepared noodles, steamed dumplings, freshly tossed pasta and more.

021-6393-1234 Ext 6323

After work at the Long Bar

As one of the city's most elaborate after-work drink venues, Long Bar at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, is inviting wine and cocktail enthusiasts to enjoy both classic and innovative cocktails, a wide wine selection, premium beers and upscale bar food. Reward yourself with effortless relaxation and a taste of luxury between 5 pm and 8 pm every Monday to Thursday. Minimum spending of more than 250 yuan ($39) per person for beverage is required.

021-6322-9988

Foie gras festival

Sofitel Shanghai Hyland is proud to introduce its successful Foie Gras Festival for a new edition to be held from Oct 13-30 at Mosaic restaurant. Executive chef Adrien Alexandre and his team will present you with an extensive selection of dishes based on this delicacy from southwest France, prepared in different styles, from poached to seared, Asian fusion to traditional French, salad to dessert. The foie gras dishes are priced at 198 yuan for lunch buffet, 298 yuan for dinner buffet and 308 or 398 yuan for Sunday brunch. A 15 percent surcharge applies.

021-6351-5888

Asian fusion delicacy

For an Asian fusion extravaganza, try one of Shanghai's most exciting all-day-dining restaurants, the O2on2 at the Longemont Shanghai. Live cooking stations, from a signature Asian kitchen to a Western kitchen, boast various types of seafood, including live shrimps, razor clams and sea crabs. The buffet dinner, available on Friday and Saturday, is priced at 228 yuan with 15 percent surcharge per person.

021-6115-9988 Ext 8220

Pay two nights and stay for three

Stay in a Swiss Executive Club room at Swissotel Grand Shanghai for two consecutive nights and you will enjoy a third night complimentary, as a bonus, during your stay. Experience the exclusive facilities and services of the Swiss Executive Club Lounge, including Internet, breakfast, light afternoon tea, evening drinks and all day refreshment. The offer is valid until the end of this year.

021-5355-9898