Bingo! Local bar hits the spot
IF you like a challenge, but nothing too strenuous, the Toud Original Toy Bar on Xianxia Road could be just the place for you and your friends.
Oasis: alive despite pop media disdain
LONDON - Oasis, hailed as the new Beatles but then reviled as Neanderthals re-inventing the same old wheel, are alive and well and wowing them in Japan.
Israel's 'singing Cinderella' dies
JERUSALEM - Singing star Ofra Haza, who died in hospital last Wednesday, was known as Israel's Cinderella after emerging from humble roots to win international acclaim for her haunting voice and exotic blend of Middle Eastern and Western styles.
A lesson in manners
THE table is set with a pristine, clean white cloth, on which stand different bottles of wine, cups and knives and forks. At the head of the table sits Grace Teng, the picture of grace and good manners.
Hangzhou now has five-star Radisson
SHANGHAI people who would like to take themselves off for a weekend in the nearby city of Hangzhou, in East China's Zhejiang Province, now have one more choice for their two-day stay.
Food, wine that's a California blend
THE California Restaurant on the lobby level of Regal International East Asia Hotel has a rich Californian flavour these days featuring Stonehedge Wines from the Napa Valley and guest chef Kelley Novak from the US state.
Thai food festival unveiled at Orient Express Restaurant
BEAUTIFUL scenery and friendly people aside, visitors to Thailand are usually sold on its food.
Hard Rock Cafe too expensive, but fun
"I LIKE rock and roll so I come to Hard Rock Cafe," said Huang Yanhong who works for Microsoft, China. With the handsome salary he earns, he is able to visit the cafe twice a month and enjoy what he finds a relaxing atmosphere. But most of the time, Huang frequents cheaper restaurants because even though he earns 6,000 yuan ($723) a month, he still finds the Hard Rock expensive. A meal for one at the Hard Rock Shanghai located in the Shanghai Centre costs about 100 yuan ($12), which is far beyond the means of most Chinese people, whose average monthly income is about 1,000 yuan ($120). Walls of the Hard Rock Cafe Shanghai are decked out with rock and roll magazines, beatles books, guitars and the shoes and clothes once worn by pop stars. The restaurant hires bands from the Philippines, Australia and other countries to perform live rock and roll music on weekdays from 7:30 pm through to 2:00 am every night except Sunday. "A few years ago, most of our customers were foreigners. But now nearly 40 per cent are Chinese," said Collin Shi, a waiter at the Hard Rock Cafe. They are business people and come to the cafe to celebrate special occasions. Food here ranges from burger platters to big sandwiches. All food at the restaurant is made with ingredients imported from the United States to make it taste authentic. The Blocks - a five-piece band from the Philippines - perform every night starting 8:00pm except Sunday. Time: 11:30am-2:00am Place: 1376 Nanjing Road W. Tel: 6279-8133
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