the Beijinger

Getting a 20-kuai manicure at a cramped, noisy salon in a clothing market is like gobbling fast food. Don’t you deserve better? The following salons offer you thoughtful service and a chance to exhale.

New Year’s resolutions be damned. You’re bound to slip up eventually, so tumble off the diet wagon in style by treating yourself to one of these all-American towers of power.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a lover, wife, "special friend" to share meals with. Need a table for one? Don’t wither under the smirks. Hold your (sniveling) head high and tuck in at one of these singles-friendly establishments.

Spanferkel in Germany, lechon in Spain and ruzhu over here … nothing says Winterval like a hearty hog roast. Here are five spots to feast on roast suckling pig.

Combat has been around as long as time, and the East has given the world some of its more graceful techniques. Often shrouded in mysticism and linked with a code of honor, these martial arts are known to instill discipline as well as deadly force. Use what you were born with to get all Jackson Pollock over the canvas that is your opponent’s body.

For those who fancy a delicious Christmas dinner out, but are not a huge fan of hotel buffets filled with dancing, entertainment and lucky draws, there are some fabulous alternatives – check out these Christmas Eve set dinner menus presented from some of the most popular restaurants in town. Sure, they’re pricey, but hey, it’s Christmas and shouldn’t we treat ourselves? Make your reservations early.

Maison Boulud
From pale yellow shavings of ripe Swiss Tête de Moine to a few teaspoons of unctuously creamy Saint-Félicien, the cheese platter here (RMB 120) is a memorable pleasure. A basket of wolfberry-baked bread marries especially well with the bitter-edged Gouda, which is one of a handful of artisanal cheeses produced here in China (www.cheeseinchina.com).

Daily noon-2pm, 6-10pm. Ch’ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (6559 9200) 

P.K.14 axeman and epicure Xu Bo

P.K.14: Still Thoughts Vegetarian Restaurant
“Our favorite place as a band is this vegetarian joint behind the Meishuguan. It's quiet (!) and nothing cleans the gut like a good veggie meal. Plus it's run by our ex-bassist Ren Jie's cousin, so it's got a nice family vibe to it. We often take our friends and musicians passing through town.”

Winter is looming and with it Beijing's dry air, making moisturizers essential. Most consumers assume that the prices of beauty products are directly proportional to their quality. But what’s the real difference between a 500-kuai facial cream and a 20-kuai product? Certainly, products from the high-end European cosmetic giants may have additional features, such as anti-aging, whitening, etc, since they spend more money on research and development. On the other hand, they also spend a ton on advertising, marketing, luxury packaging, etc. If you’re on a budget and simply want a basic, effective moisturizer, here’s a list of reliable options.