Beijing

Big beefy fun

Beijing's largest burger festival will be showing a Wild West side this year. The annual Beijinger Burger Cup returns this weekend with a big selection of burger vendors plus craft beers, live music and games. Real cowboys and wannabes are invited to come dressed in their best Stetsons and bandannas; prizes offered for the best costumes. For the little ones, there will be a special kids' area. Entry tickets at the door are 25 yuan ($3.60); food and beverages not included.

11 am-8 pm, Saturday - Sunday; Galaxy Soho, Chaoyangmen Neidajia, Dongcheng district. 010-5941-3140.

Chef's table

Flames Grill chef Chandra Arunasalam will host four nights of Chef's Table on the last two weekends of May. The six-course menu includes poached cod in a fumet reduction, and rack of Australian lamb. A highlight course: "Transparency of Aged Manchego", featuring the most famous cheese in Spain with white anchovies, pepper and arugula. This cheese can be melted to make a crystal mask on all kinds of delicate food. 588 yuan plus service charge per person (add 100 yuan for wine pairing).

May 19-20 and 26-27; 5/F, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing Street. 010-5812-8888 ext 8411; reservations requested one day in advance.

Hong Kong

J-G weekend

One year ago, celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brought his hip "farm chic" Italian concept to Hong Kong. He comes to town to celebrate the anniversary this weekend with a set menu on Saturday night priced at HK$788 ($101) plus service charge, including a bubbling glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne. The a la carte Sunday brunch will feature Vongerichten's signature buttermilk pancakes and a few specials.

8/F, California Tower, 32 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central district. 852-3706-8567.

Cold and sweet

Grom, the Italian gelateria with over 90 stores worldwide including at IFC Mall, uses 100 percent natural gelato. This month, Grom introduces city-dwellers to ghiaccioli - Italian frozen fruit bars. The chilly treats are made from just four simple ingredients: ripe seasonal fruits, white cane sugar, spring water and carob flour. The IFC store serves three flavors, strawberry, lemon and raspberry, for HK$35 ($4.50) per bar.

Shop No 1023, 1/F, IFC Mall, 1 Harbour View St, Central district.

China Daily