Beijing

Pie Month at Writers Bar

Writers Bar at Raffles Beijing Hotel offers a wide range of sophisticated comfort food, a well-deserved retreat after a day's work. This month, executive chef Riaan Burger and his culinary team create a pie feast for your senses: sweet, fruity or savory, the pies are bite-sized treats to share with family and friends. Choose from traditional recipes and innovative combinations. Tasty chef's specials include the chicken-and-mushroom (whole roast chicken with Yunnan mushrooms) pot pie, the Writers Bar signature five-spice confit duck pastry pie, and shepherd's pie with lamb and traditional vegetables simmered for 24 hours. The cost is 68 yuan ($10) per item, or 98 yuan for a main course and one dessert.

- Ye Jun

Writers Bar, 1/F Raffles Beijing Hotel, Heritage Building, East 33 Chang'an Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6526-3388 Ext 4181.

Shanghai

Sips of spring

The city's hopping brunch spot Madison is introducing a brand-new cocktail menu for the spring. Bartender Jackie Lo from Hong Kong gives some classics a "modern twist": The Bloody Farmer, for example, is the "Madison version of Bloody Mary", with arugula (rocket) and duck fat and bacon dipped in vodka, "reminiscent of the rustic but rough farmers", says Lo. The special drink for April is the London Spring, with gin, ginger water, cucumber and a touch of Earl Grey.

- Xu Junqian

CHINA DAILY

1F, Block 2, 3 Fenyang Lu (Road), Shanghai. 021-6437-0136. Happy hour at Madison starts from 4 to 7 pm, Mon-Fri. Cocktail drinks are all priced at 50 yuan by the glass.