Spring festival

Beijing

Yu Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton

At the Ritz-Carlton Beijing, executive chef Ku Chi-fai has dreamed up reunion dinner sets that are both delicious and auspicious, in the best festive tradition. The Cantonese chef's signature gourmet luxury dishes are available for a Spring Festival Eve set dinner available on Saturday, Feb 9, from 6 pm to 10 pm, at 6,888 yuan ($1,090) per table of 10, plus 15 percent service charge. For last-minute shoppers for the Lunar New Year, there are also gift hampers available. 010-5908-8111.

Shang Palace at the Shangri-la

The Shangri-la's Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace, prepares a double option for diners. The banquet hall will be open on Lunar New Year's Eve for reunion dinner sets, and the Shang Palace itself will also serve sets in the dining room and the private parlors. While most dishes will be from the auspicious selections from the south, including pen cai, yusheng or lohei, and steamed whole fish, there are also northern favorites such as braised pig trotters and dumplings. 010-6841-2211.

Four Seasons Cai Yi Xuan

Cai Yi Xuan elevates the art of Chinese dining with good, honest regional cooking lightened up with fresh modern presentation. There is a large dining room, eight private rooms including two VIP rooms with one offering an exclusive chef's table. Chef Michael Liang starts off the New Year sets with yusheng, or raw fish salad, traditional augury for good luck, good health and prosperity. There are Northern and Shanghainese appetizer platters, traditional assorted seafood casserole, sauteed scallops with asparagus and wild mushrooms, and braised abalone in oyster sauce with foie gras mousse-filled morel mushrooms. The Lunar New Year menu is priced at 888 yuan plus 15 percent service charge per person, for a minimum of eight diners. 010-5695-8888.

Hong Kong

Ingots and pumpkins

Chef Mok Kit Keung at the Shang Palace at the Kowloon Shangri-la is attracting attention with a series of delicately crafted Lunar New Year goodies, including niangao (sticky rice cake) shaped into an ingot and dusted with edible gold dust. There is also a realistic pumpkin fortune cake that is as delicious as it is attractive. It looks so good you may not be willing to cut it up. To buy some as gifts or just to decorate your own festive table, call 852-2733-8740.

Valentine's

Beijing

Morton's of Chicago at Regent Hotel

Morton's of Chicago has crafted a Valentine's Day special for couples to enjoy dinner together. With a menu boasting the best imported prime beef and fresh seafood, Morton's is encouraging couples to bond over dinner as they share Prime Ocean Platters, Whole Baked Maine Lobsters and a succulent 1,300 gram Double Porterhouse for two. Every couple dining at Morton's on Valentine's Day will receive two complimentary Mortini vouchers valid for any day afterwards. 010-6523-7777.

Aroma and Barolo at Ritz-Carlton Beijing

Enjoy a romantic night at award-winning restaurants Aroma or Barolo at The Ritz-Carlton Beijing. Aroma offers a Valentine's dinner buffet at 999 yuan per couple with a complimentary glass of welcome champagne. At Barolo Italian Restaurant, a five-course set dinner has been specially crafted to set the mood for romance. For 2,088 yuan, couples can enjoy live entertainment and a complimentary glass of champagne. At both restaurants, each woman will receive a rose and chocolates and a specially designed photo frame will be given to every couple to remember this special day. A 15 percent service charge applies. 010-5908-8777.

Tianjin

Albert's at Hotel Indigo

Located in the former German concession neighborhood, Hotel Indigo Tianjin offers an escape from the buzz of the city this Valentine's Day. Couples can enjoy a 50-percent discount off their guest rooms and a special four-course dinner at Albert's with two special dinner menus to choose from. The "Be My Valentine" comes at 688 yuan ($109) and for 1,088 yuan, the "Only You" menu includes a welcome champagne and complimentary red, white or rose wine. The Valentine's Day menus are available on Feb 14 from 6 pm onwards. A 15 percent service charge is applicable per couple. Call 022-8832-8888 or log on to: www.hotelindigo.com.

Shanghai

San Valentino at Capo

Tucked away in the attic of a building built in 1911, Capo restaurant converges history with touches of modernism that sets it apart from others. Its five course San Valentino menu consisting of black-pearl caviar oysters, wood-oven-grilled farm striploin and Italian chocolate is a sure recipe for a night to remember. The a la carte menu is also available. At 888 yuan, the San Valentino menu is available only on Feb 14; bookings are recommended. 021-5308-8332.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/07/2013 page20)