Feast on love(2)

Ginseng, a traditional Chinese herbal ingredient, is believed to vitalize people. The dessert has lychee, a typical Chinese fruit. The chef uses the lychee to balance the flavors of the raspberry and rose. It is used in two ways - fresh and to flavor cream.

Burger says Jaan restaurant has previously prepared a special menu for Qixi and it will continue to do so.

"It has proved very successful from past experience," he says. "The menu is designed to cater to local clientele and their known preferences. But from experience we have learned many expatriates also attend this event."

Matrix at Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido offers an international buffet on Qixi, with some special highlights.

The restaurant will have extra items on its buffet selection on the evening of Qixi, such as Canadian lobster, Alaskan king crab, French oyster and whole-poached salmon, according to Daniel Brooker, the hotel's executive chef from New Zealand.

Matrix has many live cooking stations, where chefs can interact with customers - barbecue, teppanyaki, risotto, sashimi and a whole fruit cutting station. All the vegetables used are organic. The restaurant makes its own cold cuts.

Moreover, the restaurant will serve some of its latest desserts, according to the chef. Brooker recommends a confection of coconut, mango and lychee, light and delicate, each layer has a different, unique taste. A pistachio strawberry creation is gluten-free, healthy and delicious.

For a five-star hotel, the buffet is reasonably priced at 527 yuan ($85) for two people. All couples taking advantage of the buffet on Aug 2 will receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine or red wine. For an additional 527 yuan, the couple can get a night's stay in the hotel's "superior room" and enjoy breakfast for two the next morning. Normally, the breakfast alone costs 180 yuan plus 15 percent surcharge per head.

IF YOU GO

Flamme, Sanlitun branch

S4-33, 3/F, Village South, Taiguli Nanqu, 19 Sanlitun Lu (Road), Chao-yang district, Beijing. 010-6417-8608.

Jaan

1/F Raffles Beijing, 33 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-8500-4186.

Matrix

1/F Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido, 6 Jiangtai Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-8443-6228.