It's just about time for lunch now, isn't it? If you're close to Dawanglu today, consider a visit to CRU Steakhouse. Their new business lunch is three courses for RMB 168+15%, admittedly on the higher end of things. If you're the kind of person willing to splash out a little bit on lunch, I recommend it unreservedly. Business lunches are kind of the Enomatic machine of the spendy restaurant world: low risk, comparatively low prices. There are some establishments at which I would have never dined, had I not lunched there first. If you're not the type to pay that much, I have another lunchtime recommendation for you. Keep reading for that, and other dining news.

I've been reading a lot about noodles this week. Mostly due to an initial bout of Googling the question "Who made noodles first", which I've discovered via the Beebs that yes, they're from China. Wonderful! My Italian friend now owes me a fiver. Not that noodles really have much to do with today's post, unless you're liking the look of the above – as tasty as it was pretty. Read on to find out where it's from, and other less noodly dining news.

First broken resolution of 2012: "get up earlier". First food regret of 2012: overcooked beef tenderloin. First nutty food discovery of 2012: BEIJING DUCK FLAVORED PRETZ. I found these in a jumbo pack at Qingdao duty-free, of all places, for RMB 200-ish. Other interesting "Chinese" flavors include Shanghai Hairy Crab, Guangdong Shark Fin Soup, Sichuan Mala, Oolong Tea, Lychee and Chestnut. Please, please, please keep an eye out at your convenience store, your supermarket, your xiaomaibu - and let me know if you find these little gems. Or if you happen to pass through Qingdao Duty-Free and have a spare RMB 200. There is a reward: I will buy you a sandwich.*

Now, onto eating news of a bit more import. 

Penguins are really super-awesome creatures. Not only are they ready for a black tie event 24/7, they also have a kick-ass layer of protective fat underneath their skin. Humans are less naturally sartorially-blessed, but we have some subcutaneous insulation (albeit less effective) too! This week in Beijing, temperatures dipped below zero: ouch. If you need help building that fat layer back up after a summer of drinking, dancing and Diet Cokes, we can help. Keep reading for that weekly dose of eating news!

It's been a quiet-ish week in eating: a lot of really great holiday events and dishes are just on the horizon. Still, "quiet" doesn't mean "silent." Beijing is blessed with an excellent food scene that still manages to be interesting in the most lackluster weeks (see: precipitation). It rained last night, but the pollution doesn't seem to have budged an iota. What can you do? Not much. What might perk you up? Delicious foods! How can you get a totally boss Thanksgiving dinner (yes, another one of these competitions) at the Renaissance Cafe for zero RMB? Read on, read on.