Valentine’s Day covered

 

 

 

As ever, the city’s restaurants and hotels have gone Valentine-crazy this year. It’s almost as if they make absurd amounts of money from it or something. Still, if ever there was a time to splash some kuai on a partner, Valentine’s Day is it.

 

The special at the Ritz-Carlton’s Barolo restaurant is pretty good: live music, a candlelit five-course meal, roses and chocolates and a picture of each couple, all for 1,888RMB (inc 15 per cent service charge). The hotel is also offering spa treatments (call 5908 888 for more details).

 

Meanwhile, a day at Westin Beijing Financial Street not only includes a five-course menu, but also 99 roses, a couple’s massage, personal violinist, limo service, overnight stay and more for 18,888RMB all in. Not cheap, no – but you’ll be in no doubt as to where the money’s going. And its sister, Westin Beijing Chaoyang, will choose one lucky winner from the folks eating at its Zen5es, Grange Grill and Seasonal Tastes restaurants on the day, who will then receive a diamond necklace.

 

You can also head to Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for a candlelit dinner at Chynna restaurant (1,188 RMB) or a special buffet at Vasco's (368RMB). The Hilton Hotel Beijing is offering a night starting with two cocktails or champagne at Zeta Bar, followed by a five-course chocolate menu at One East, where you can indulge in a chocolate foie gras nougat with Cajun spice and coffee-braised beef short ribs (including a bottle of champagne) from 1,599RMB per couple. An extra 800RMB gets you a one-night stay in a king deluxe room and an American buffet breakfast for two on Valentine's Day.

 

Alternatively, check out the plush Aria, which is offering a six-course menu for two, for a comparatively reasonable 1,316RMB. This includes caviar, strawberries and cream, and black Angus tenderloin – though, thankfully, not all on the same plate.

 

Fine dining can also be had at Maison Boulud, which boasts a ‘for him/ for her’ menu, perfect for flirtatiously feeding one another, for 988RMB per person, plus 15 per cent service charge.

 

Other options are available at Migas, Mosto, Modo and Lan Na Thai, which is serving up South East Asian dishes as well as surf and turf Thai-style lobster in butter sauce for two at 1,088RMB.

 

Le Pré Lenotre is upping the French quotient with a five-course dinner for two. Expect plenty of wine and a dose of that certain je ne sais quoi for an easy 2,488RMB per couple.

 

The Cut's Valentine's dinner features honey-lacquered duck breast and butter-poached Australian lobster, while the Astor Grill at the St Regis Beijing is serving up a special 'Pink and Blue Valentine's Day' eight-course set dinner, which includes champagne and wines paired by a sommelier at 1,988RMB per couple.

 

Cru Steakhouse is also offering a more meaty dinner with a glass of champagne included at 999RMB per couple, and Fratelli Fresh will serve Olympia and Kumamoto oysters with beluga caviar and a glass of champers among other treats.

 

For more dining options visit our listings

 

 

The Canadian pop singer Avril Lavigne puts Beijing in the mood for love at the Master Card Center for between 280-8,800RMB.

 

If you like your romance a little more raucous, head to Yugong Yishan’s The Right to Love

, which will star screaming garage-punk band Subs alongside other local acts. Hey, headbangers deserve a little love too, right? A more sedate night, meanwhile, can be found at dinky Nanluoguxiang hideyhole 12sqm’s Unlock Your Love, which offers discounted wine and specials on champagne, and will also be giving away locks for you and your lover to clip onto a special chain, where they will remain forevermore… or until someone takes them down, we suppose.

 

One of China's better-known examples of homegrown chamber music, with pianist Zhang Jialin, violinist Zhang Jingye and cellist Song Zhao playing, DNA Trio present an usually popularis programme for Valentine's Day at the Forbidden City Concert Hall.

 

 

If you’re looking to dance the night away with your loved one, turn to Valentine’s Groove at Lantern, which promises ‘an intimate night of drinking, dancing and musical love-making’ – the last one being, we hope, figurative rather than literal. They’ve also invited a mixologist to concoct Valentine’s cocktails, available in a two-for-one offer.

 

 

Similarly, liquid entertainment is being provided by Q Bar’s Valentine’s Day Special, which is stirring up a selection of cocktails with such titles as ‘Raw Passions’ and ‘My Valentine’. A bit on the nose, perhaps, but put them on your tongue and we doubt you’ll care much. The bar is also serving up complimentary chocolate mousse cake, so the booze doesn’t go straight to your head (unless that’s what you’re hoping for). Meanwhile, Haze will be booming out romantic tunes at their own Valentine’s Day party.

 

 

You can never go wrong by buying the lady in your life beautiful flowers. We went back to Laitai Flower Market recently to find it in full bloom, with a wide selection of Chinese roses, peonies and orchids that are a cut above the rest.

 

And while we are on the subject, why not some special sweets to match? Do yourself a favour and drop a line to Lollipop Bakery or CC Sweets for some baked loveliness. Lollipop Bakery (135 5277 2683, see www.lollipopbakery.cn for retail addresses) specialises in gorgeous, bespoke cupcakes that can be delivered to your door. Delivery charges vary according to location, and there’s a minimum order of cupcakes: a dozen regular or two-dozen mini; so unless you both have exceptionally sweet teeth, you might be better off picking up a few in person. CC Sweets, meanwhile, offers both buttermilk-laden cupcakes in mini, classic and deluxe varieties (168-318RMB per dozen), and elaborate, fabulous cakes costing upwards of 350RMB.

 

Alternatively, get down to The Hutong on Saturday 11 for its Valentine’s cupcake-making class; they provide the ingredients, you bring the artistic flair. At the time of writing, classes were filling up fast, but we were told that more could be on the menu, so call ahead. The organisers also promise a surprise inside each cupcake ‘that will make your special someone’s eyes light up’. We’re not sure what they could mean, though. Batteries?

 

Other special gifts can be got all around Beijing, but a good design hot spot is the 798 Art District, so check out our guide here.

Finally, for a truly intimate Valentine’s surprise, why not take the time to get things hot in the bedroom department? Check out our sex shops guide to find something that tickles your fancy. 

 

 

What about speed dating? Fishbowl Events is hosting one such night at Face Bar on Sunday 12; 150RMB nabs you a drink, snacks and maybe the love of your life. The Hutong is also holding a speed-dating night on Friday 10 that will raise money for war and disaster charity Shelterbox. For 150RMB you’ll get one free drink, tapas and a chat with every participant of the opposite sex.

 

And if all that sounds a little too intimidating, lose yourself in the groove at Haze’s Valentine’s Day Party on Tuesday 14, from 9pm-5am. DJs including Yang Bing and Donald Summer will keep the good times coming with nu-disco and house, while you show off your moves on the dance floor.

 

The Hutong is putting the ‘comfort’ into comfort eating with its Chocolate Valentine’s Day Feast. Held from 2-5pm on Sunday 12, the event sees The Hutong’s team creating three fusion treats for cocoa lovers: chocolate and orange duck, chocolate glutinous rice balls, and banana and chocolate dumplings. Between bites you can chat with fellow chocoholics and maybe make a sweet love connection; there are also discounts for couples.

 

If participants of the same sex are more your thing, then visit The Bookworm on Wednesday 15 for a love-story edition of Rainbow Worm. Mostly aimed at singles, it’ll feature sad, funny and heart-warming stories, and an open-mic spot for the brave to have a go. Who knows? Your romantic words might win someone’s heart.

 

 

Join in a community dinner at Black Sesame Kitchen on Valentine's Day, where they’ll be serving ten aphrodisiac-inspired dishes and free-flowing wine. Singles and couples are welcome.

 

On January 10, Hoegaarden presents the 2012 Bachelor and Bachelorette Charity Auction at Zeta Bar.  The winning bidders will enjoy a complementary meal at One East restaurant, Hilton Beijing, in the company of the lovely man or lady they win for the night. Proceeds will be equally  shared  between  the Beijing-based charity associations Magic Hospital and Morning Tears. And yes, you’ve bought a date.