It was a good week in food. Yes, the weather is terrible. Yes, nobody else can breathe either. Yes, all of it yes, yes, yes. But you gotta focus on the positives of being in the Beej. Maybe you've got an ayi who'll wash your window frames for you. Maybe you have the luxury of supporting yourself easily (*cough*English teachers*cough*) while figuring out what you want to do in life. Maybe you're in a city where world-class cuisine is comparatively cheap. So, y'know, go out and get some this weekend.

(Oh, and in case you forgot, we ran this little pizza competition a while back. Now we're throwing it a party. Keep reading for details and more food news.)

We mourned the passing of Ganges in Sanlitun Village South, but they promised they'd be back soon with a new Sanlitun venue. It's not open yet, but for details of where you'll find it, here's this week's installment of Capital Bites.

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.

Chinese New Year is great! (Chinese New Year is boring.) There's family to see and warmth to share! (I just got back from Christmas overseas and all my friends are heading out of town.) Hey, maybe I'll get a few hongbao! (Damnit, more of this giving-money-away business?!) We're all gonna make dumplings and eat sweets! (I've blocked out my last solo jiaozi-making venture, it was too traumatizing!) Check out this massive pile of fireworks my uncle bought for us! (How am I going to sleep this week?!)

The only annoying part is that my favorite restaurant is closed ... boo! (I can't even get a decent meal.)

Love Chinese New Year or hate it, we can all agree – restaurant closings are a massive downer during the holiday period. For your edible convenience, we've compiled a list of restaurants that will still serve you up a feast during the upcoming vacation.

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.