Beijing

Regional favorites

Opening on Aug 29, Jing Yaa Tang in The Opposite House is a collaboration between Swire Hotels and London-based restaurateur Alan Yau, the man behind Wagamama.

The restaurant is Yau's first foray into the Chinese mainland and will serve regional favorites including a selection of Beijing roast duck dishes, simply prepared and expertly executed. Chinese regional favorites such as authentic kungpao chicken and dandan noodle will also be on the menu. Yau plans to utilize the best ingredients sourced in the region and everything will be MSG-free. Prices will range from 108 yuan ($18) per person for lunch to 388-588 yuan per person for dinner. The 155-seat restaurant is set within a striking contemporary chinoiserie theatrical style design. - Donna Mah

Jing Yaa Tang, The Opposite House, The Village, Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district. 010-6417-6688.

Hong Kong

Vegetarian eats

Serving authentic thin-crust Roman-style pizzas in three locations throughout Hong Kong - Kennedy Town, Wan Chai and Tai Hang - Piccolo's menu offers many vegetarian options. Priced at HK$130 ($17) per pizza, they are serving the Vegetariana, with zucchini, eggplant, artichoke, peppers and black olive; the Four Cheese, oozing with mozzarella, taleggio, scarmoza, and gorgonzola; and the Funghi, made with porcini, button, and shitake mushrooms. House-made fresh vegetarian pastas, a traditional staple of healthy Italian cuisine, are also on the menu including spaghetti aglio olio, with simple garlic and olive oil; spicy penne arabbiata, with tomato, roasted garlic and red chili; and fettuccine Alfredo, with shallots, garlic and cream. - Donna Mah

Piccolo Pizzeria and Bar Wan Chai, 22 Tai Wong East Street, Wan Chai. 852-2824-3002.

W's 'novel' brunch

Enjoy the playful W Hong Kong's indulgent Alice in Wonderlust Sunday brunch, a whimsical culinary journey served at its modern bistro, Kitchen. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic novel, Alice in Wonderland, brunch kicks off at the Mad Hatter's Drink Party corner with its wonder-themed cocktails asking guests to Drink Me. From there, experience W's take on the Lobster Quadrille - a dance from the book which has inspired an impressive spread of lobster treats including a Lobster Mountain and the signature Lobster Benedict. And finally, visit the Caterpillar Corner - a praline station featuring chocolates and other sweet treats shaped to look like rocks, pebbles, and potatoes in an ode to the caterpillar's natural habitat.

Available every Sunday from noon to 3 pm, priced at HK$748 per adult including free-flow Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, HK$638 per adult (food only), and HK$374 per child (10 percent service charge). - Donna Mah

Kitchen, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon. 852-3717-2299.

Banrock's eco endeavors

South Australian winemaker Banrock Station is teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund to do the environment good. From Sept 1 through Dec 31, every bottle of Banrock Station's wines (prices start at HK$69) purchased in Hong Kong will see HK$5 of the purchase go to support the city's Mai Po Nature Reserve. The total project donation is targeted to be HK$100,000. Located on the Murray River, Banrock Station itself was a severely degraded wetland that was restored to its natural glory. Today, in addition to its vineyards, it attracts native birds and wildlife that thrive there. This is Banrock Station's first conservation initiative in Hong Kong following more than 95 projects in 12 countries ranging from saving flamingos in Kenya to preserving waterways in Australia.- Rebecca Lo

Banrock Station wines are available exclusively at Park-n-Shop supermarkets in Hong Kong.

(China Daily 08/25/2013 page13)