7Days Inn Tongzhou Liyuan

Upon arrival at this upmarket restaurant, diners step into a hallway lined with steeply priced dried fish maws. With years of experience in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Chef Cheung reimagines Chaozhou classics with sophistication and finesse. Braised fish maw with 30-year-aged dried radish is one of his proud creations – the lingering aromas of the radish lend the dish extra depth of flavour. Both the wine list and tea menu are packed with excellent choices.

The speciality here is Shandong cooking, especially Confucius cuisine, sea cucumber and live seafood shipped daily from Jiaodong peninsula. The chef is from Yantai and knows the food from his home province inside out. Try his roast 45-day-old duck served with caviar, prawn crackers and Shandong pancakes, which embodies features of both Beijing and Shandong cuisine. The lengthy tea menu and bespoke tea service make for a very special experience.

This brand under the Xin Rong Ji group specialises in Sichuan fare, in particular cuisine from Yibin, the chef's home city. Most of his ingredients are from Sichuan and seasonal. With its deep fiery heat, the plateau loach hot pot with green Sichuan peppercorns on the vine is a hit. The quick-fried pork liver and kidney is another must-try. The drinks list focuses on wine and sparkling tea from Sichuan. Ask the sommelier about wine pairings.

With over 40 years of experience, this owner-chef from Hong Kong samples what his team makes daily to keep improving the quality. He is justly proud of his crispy deep-fried squab – 30-day-old birds are basted three times to crisp the skin while keeping the meat juicy and silky. Other standouts include double-boiled soups, dim sum, as well as sago and pomelo in mango purée that strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tangy.

The dark green façade and warm grey room impart sophisticated taste. The jasmine centrepiece on each table exudes a pleasant scent and befits the restaurant’s name. On the menu, Beijingese melds with Shandong in refined masterpieces that look and taste divine. The signature classic Peking duck can be ordered in individual portions – in addition to pancake, scallion and cucumber, chargrilled duck breast with crispy skin is luxed up with caviar.

The bamboo bush, jade ornaments, ink paintings and cut flowers may prime your brain for a hefty price tag, but a meal in this modern restaurant doesn’t break the bank. Its signature braised fish head is juicy and tender, nicely braised in an aromatic brown sauce. Roast duck uses 40-day-old birds that are chargrilled to perfection and plated gorgeously. Always save room for the creamed yam and osmanthus sweet soup.

The upmarket chain is famous for flawlessly fresh seafood flown in from Taizhou daily and this branch is no exception. If you find the à la carte menu overwhelming, go for the set menu to sample various specialities all at once. Besides their signature wild-caught yellow croaker and fried hairtail, make sure you save room for the bird’s nest sweet soup with coconut water and buffalo milk. For the best experience, book a table and pre-order in advance.