The excitement over new restaurant openings this summer is palpable. With Q Mex opening this week, Bar Veloce in soft open and Luga's new Taps up and running, we're hitting that point in the roller coaster where the train is clicking its way to the top of a giant peak, preparing to drop us down the other side, hearts racing and stomachs levitating in the air. Dramatic? I think not.

We had a taste of Q Mex, and if this blog post hasn't already made it clear, we were blown away. It's always hard to say how those first trial plates and glasses will fare "out in the real world," but we're expecting strong marks all around. They're throwing a huge opening party this Thursday, and starting at 9.16pm, you can waltz right in and join the fun. They'll be serving drinks and small bites (we're crossing our fingers for their tostaditos - little discs of crunchy corn tortilla topped with mini heaps of meat). There will also be some piñata action, so get your bats ready.

If you haven't heard, Bar Veloce is in soft opening and the buzz is starting to build. This transplant of the famous New York bar is set to elevate our vino scene, sure, but the food's top-notch too. For now, you can have a try during limited hours: Thurs-Sun, 6pm until late.

Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng’s new brunch, soFEASTication, launched on Sunday, June 17. It’s a spread of seafood alongside Tomahawk steak (see photo, top), lamb chops, dim sum, sushi and a mix-and-match pasta and sauce station. RMB 488+15% gets you all that plus free-flow champagne (RMB 428+15% if you're skipping the bubbly). Don't miss the blue shark gummies in the dessert area.

In other hotel restaurant news, Traders Upper East Hotel is revamping the Cantonese menu at Wulixiang, and the dim sum is absolutely delish. Check out this sample platter above. I know many of our readers don't make it to the hotel restaurants - many of them are overpriced and not always great. But this is a case where it's a shame they get overlooked. If you do go, don't miss the red rice changfen.

Wagas is finally set to open next Monday, June 25. This is according to the mysterious, nameless individual we've been corresponding with who signs his or her emails with, "Thanks. Wagas." No, thank you. So hopefully this means more salads and sandwiches are nigh, but we'll believe it when we see those doors open with our own two eyes.

The new Iki Barbeque location is up and running. We've written some first impressions here, but will have a full review for you soon.

In keeping with the ever-growing seared meat options in town, a new leg of lamb spot has opened right next door to El Nido. on Fangjia hutong The bonus: El Nido's alcohol comes at a 20% discount if you're not imbibing on the premises, and wouldn't you know it, that awesome new lamb place next door is ... wait for it ... not on the premises! We'll have a full review for you soon.

We've also been sending out hungry helpers to try Red Tree in Shuangjing and the Giggle Bar & Restaurant next to newly opened sports bar Cu Ju, among others. We'll have those reviews for you soon.

Sadly, Awfully Chocolate has closed all their branches in Beijing. Apparently, we Beijingers didn't like chocolate cake enough. For shame.

In other news, Beijing restaurant magnate Alan Wong (you might know him from such ventures as Hatsune and Kagen) just opened an amazing-looking crab house in Shanghai. As expected, Lumdimsum has posted a serious play by play, which mostly serves to beg the question, "Hey Alan, when are you going to get us some black pepper crab in Beijing?!"

Photo: Marilyn Mai