Beijing

Sweet Spot's eats shop

China World Hotel recently opened a second The Sweet Spot Shop in the China World Mall Zone 3. The shop offers beautiful and creative cakes, other pastries, specialty coffees and rustic European-style baked goods in a contemporary setting.

All the baked goods are transfat- and additive-free. Gluten-free goods are available. There are also sandwiches and salads. - Ye Jun

Basement 2 in China World Hotel, 1 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang district. 010-6505-4327.

Hong Kong

Cuban nights

Sugar (Bar.Deck.Lounge) on East Hotel's rooftop offers "a night in Cuba" every Wednesday from 5 pm. Classic Cuban street food, such as tostones (deep-fried crispy, plantain slices) croquettas (fried potatoes with bacon and chicken) and empanadas (deep-fried pastry pockets filled with beef) are served with avocado mojo sauce (avocado, mayonnaise, yogurt, lime juice and cilantro) and Cuban mojo sauce (olive oil, garlic, orange juice, cumin, salt and pepper) - for guests to enjoy while sipping mojitos. Spin the Mojito Wheel and let fate decide what your beverage will contain.

- Donna Mah

Sugar, East Hotel, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Island East. 852-3968-3738.

Macaroon magic

Pierre Herme Paris has introduced a limited-edition Macaroons Veloutes collection this month. The macaroons are all made with a tangy yogurt and sweet fruit fillings. The Macaroon Veloutes, available in four flavors, will be included in Pierre Herme Paris's assorted designer boxes - yogurt and banana, yogurt and raspberry, yogurt and lime zest, and yogurt, rose, litchi and raspberry. - Donna Mah

Macaroons and Chocolates Pierre Herme Paris, Shop 1019C, Podium Level One, ifc mall, Central. 852-2833-5700.

Oodles of noodles

The sign on the eatery says it all: "Hand-pulled noodles." And a large front window shows chefs pulling fresh dough for xiaolongbao and hand-cut noodles. The springy egg noodles are charmingly unevenly and delightful in a rich dam dam broth with plump wontons. The xiaolongbao come out of the steamer looking deflated but bursting with savory pork juice. The dinner for two costs HK$138 ($18) and includes a choice of four dishes plus noodles. Shredded chicken with cucumber and rice noodles in a sesame sauce is a sure bet, as is spicy stir-fried pork and Chinese cabbage. The restaurant won't win any design awards, but the food and prices wins customers.

- Rebecca Lo

Shou Lamian, G/F 48 Yin Hing Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon. 852-5607-3153.

Traditional tastes

A culinary landmark in Cantonese cooking, Fook Lam Moon Restaurant creates two styles of its branded mooncakes. The Classic Four reprises an age-old recipe. In keeping with traditional tastes, it blends large fried olive kernels with the lotus paste filling that adds a nutty flavor. The Signature Duo Moon Cake is made with seaweed sugar and is a modern recipe that's ideal for those watching their figures. - Li Jing

Fook Lam Moon Hong Kong (35-45 Johnston Road, Wanchai) and Fook Lam Moon Kowloon (53-59 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui). 0852-3423-0388.

(China Daily 07/28/2013 page14)