Apple’s iPhone 4S arrives in China next week. Before you head down to join the feverish masses, think about whether this latest smartphone version is worth the inevitable pain and suffering. Given the chaos and catastrophes that have befallen previous Apple releases, I’d stay clear of Sanlitun on Friday the 13th. (But Apple has a special shopping deal of some sort available today only, both in-store and online. Wonder what that's all about?)

After more than a year of construction, Beijing's newest department store, Shimao is open for business on the corner of Xindong Lu and Gongti Beilu. There's a number of edible options (more on this later in the week) but arguably the most exciting eatery is the Hello Kitty Dreams restaurant. After successful culinary ventures in Korea and Taiwan, Hello Kitty's first mainland restaurant opens on December 20. We wheedled our way in for a sneak peek ...

Whew. Beijing has seen a flurry of store openings, fashion shows and big-name visitors in these last couple weeks – and the Beijinger has the inside scoop and photos right here.

Continuing on in our Art Hikes series, this one should be an easy one. You never thought there'd be much art to see in Sanlitun,  but there is, and the nice thing is that if you get tired of it, there's plenty else to strike your fancy.

Dear Reader, I write to you from the confines of my bed. Sadly, I have been struck down by the very tragedy of not winning yesterday's cupcake-eating contest at Colibri Cafe in celebration of their first anniversary. My very ardent attempt (two cupcakes in two minutes!) was four off the winning total of six. In any case, que sera sera, and now onto this week's dining newsbits.

“Things just aren’t made like this anymore,” young Aussie Karen Leung lamented to me, holding up a shimmering gold necklace from Chile (circa 1970s).

Here’s a Monday-morning look at problems in Sanlitun, China’s insatiable curiosity about American politicians, and a bit more information on the trains. No, not the Beijing-Shanghai bullet train.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a food writer in possession of reasonable sensibilities will go bananas when you place a Euro-dorable edible before her. Seated in an alcove where floral chintz and Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland got cozy, I anticipated good, if not great things. Unfortunately, in the case of Royal Smushi House, my disproportional excitement only lasted through the “observing” stage.

Do you want ad space but are not too sure which medium to post it on? Why not try something that will be constantly ogled? A Weibo user by the name of “Lonely Little Fox” is renting out both of her breasts for ads and is charging RMB 2,000 for the privilege, which is a bargain if you ask me.

We've been harrassing the owners of Let's Burger for months trying to find out when they'd be opening their new venture, Let's Burger Plus. Well, today was the day, as Let's Burger Plus opened in Sanlitun Village North this morning, just in time for US Independence Day celebrations. The restaurant is in the lower level of the Village North, opposite Colibri Cafe and Starbucks, with space for a couple of tables outdoors.