And here is the other half of my dining deliverances, to keep us sane and sated.

The Opposite House In addition to about-to-open bars Mesh (August 11) and Punk (August 20), the Opposite House (the first Beiing-based development from Hong Kong's Swire Hotels) will soon launch several restaurants. These include a secretive North Asian, sushi-inflected joint called Bei from the talented Mr. Max Levy (he’s trained in New York, Shanghai and Tokyo—where he worked at the famed Tsujiki fish market). Sureño will bring much needed Mediterranean tastes our way, and Village Café has already started testing out its treats on customers in a soft opening lead-up.

SALT SALT’s fresh cuisine has gotten even fresher with the welcome of new Chef, Ana Esteves. Already robust ingredients undergo flavour twists and brilliant innovativions.

While heavily booked for much of the Olympics, owner Gaby Alves has made sure that there is room in the restaurant for private diners, not just corporate groups. But advanced booking is still highly recommended to take advantage of August’s lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch Olympic package.

The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu The Schoolhouse, The Roadhouse, and Xiaolumian have been booked during August 2008 for corporate and other events relating to the Olympics, but The Schoolhouse is offering special hours and special Olympic-related menus to the public so you can beat the crowds and the heat and have a fresh air break at Mutianyu.

Mornings 7:30-10:00, last orders at 9:30 (they still have my favorite, The Schoolhouse Fritatta!) Afternoons 15:00-17:00, last orders at 16:30 (yum...The Great Wall Burger) Sadly, The Roadhouse and Xiaolumian will be closed to the public throughout August.

Shangri-La Beijing To celebrate the festivities of the Olympics, Café Cha is displaying a banquet of international cuisine to showcase the true essence of the Olympic Games. Presented by Chef Wilsun N. Aurubind, guests will get to sample the finest of cuisines from previous Olympic hosts such as Greece, Spain, Korea and Japan, just to name a few, through the month of August.

The Westin Beijing, Financial Street The most famed past promotions and dishes of all time in Jewel, Senses and Prego will be featured in August as a tribute to the games.

Senses will highlight traditional cuisine from the last six Olympic cities of Athens, Sydney, Atlanta, Barcelona, Seoul and Los Angeles. Prego delivers some legendary dishes, including tender Wagyu beef and fresh whole Maine lobster—all featuring the five Olympic colors. Jewel compiles the finest regional Chinese cuisine: simmered mandarin fish with broad bean sauce, and sautéed snow crabmeat with egg white topped salmon roe.

Bon Appetit!