Hong Kong

French meets Japanese

Wagyu Takumi, the 11-seater hideaway in Cross Lane, has reopened as Takumi by Daisuke Mori after an elegant makeover under the collaborative direction of the namesake chef and luxe-dining group Lai Sun Dining. The refreshed French-meets-Japanese private dining experience features springtime items like white asparagus salad roll with snow powder; the "Kegani" hairy crab roll with lily root, bottarga and caviar; and the "Akahata" pan-fried grouper with bamboo and Japanese fruits-tomato coulis. The signature Wagyu beef, of course, remains.

Shop 1, The Oakhill, 16 Wood Road, Wan Chai district. 852-2574-1299 (one day advance booking recommended).

United States

Hot sauce on eBay

A McDonald's promotional "Szechuan dipping sauce" from 1998 recently sold on eBay for a whopping $14,700. The condiment, which came with a packet of wasabi sauce, was originally part of a publicity campaign for the animated Disney movie Mulan.