Shanghai

Hong Fang Zi
An old favourite revived

6F 35 Shanxi Nan Lu
021 - 6255 3338

After 70 years on Huai Hai Lu, the Red House Restaurant, better known as HFZ Gourmet and Lounge, has moved to the sprawling space on the sixth floor of the Red House Building. Owner Yann is a veteran Shanghai restaurateur with a long history in French cuisine and has brought fresh life to this old favourite. The new space has a contemporary, airy feel with luxurious d¨¦cor and a vast outdoor patio overlooking the French concession area. At lunch a three course set menu is RMB108 with a choice of starter, entr¨¦e and dessert. Selections always include a fresh fish or meat prepared with well-seasoned sauces and beautifully presented. Dessert is definitely not to be missed as they have a resident pastry chef. The warm rhubarb cobbler with cinnamon ice cream and candied oranges is surely a sweet way to close any business deal.

Beijing

Caf¨¦ Cha
Variety and elegance
Shangri-La Hotel
29 Zizhuyuan Road
010 6841 2211

Of course you would expect nothing less at the Shangri-La than a buffet lunch featuring the freshest meats and seafood from around the world. For RMB258 + 15% service charge per person, including coffee and tea, sample from a wide range of action cooking stations including a Western grill station, Asian noodle station, Italian station featuring a pizza oven and a selection of homemade pasta and sauces, barbeque and tandoori station, seafood bar and Japanese sushi/sashimi station and pastry/bakery station. The energy of Caf¨¦ Cha is complemented by the serene Chinese gardens visible from the restaurant's ceiling-high windows. Inside, the use of soothing earth tones and natural materials such as wood, glass and light marble reflect the natural surroundings. If great food - and plenty of it - in elegant surroundings is the recipe for your success, then book a table at Caf¨¦ Cha.