Westin celebrates Italy

The Westin Tokyo will hold an Italian Celebration from Feb. 1 to 28. After his success at last year's Italian Fair, celebrity chef Renato Morisco will be back, bringing the local flavors of southern Italy to the Westin Tokyo.

Morisco is widely acclaimed in various culinary fields and is owner-chef of the long-established restaurant Villa Morisco in Puglia, Italy.

An Italian Buffet, featuring authentic Italian dishes made with fresh seafood, vegetables and Italian olive oil, will be served at The Terrace restaurant. The lunch buffet is ¥4,500 for adults (¥5,500 on weekends and holidays) and ¥2,400 for children. The dinner buffet is ¥6,800 for adults (¥8,000 on weekends and holidays) and ¥3,400 for children (¥4,000 on weekends and holidays).

At Renato Morisco's Cooking Class on Feb. 3, chef Morisco will demonstrate pasta making, and participants will be able to enjoy the dishes he cooks during the class. The class costs ¥8,000 per person.

The Italian Gala Dinner on Feb. 4 will re-create all the flavors of the Villa Morisco at Victor's restaurant. A special dinner course (¥15,000) includes a fine selection of Italian wines imported especially for the evening.

A special accommodation package is available for Feb. 19 and 20, at ¥120,000. Designed to offer the complete Italian experience, the package includes two S-seat tickets for the world-famous Mariinsky Opera performance of "Turandot" at NHK Hall, along with a backstage tour; a one-night stay in an Executive Room with access to the Executive Club Lounge; an Italian buffet dinner and breakfast at The Terrace; and a special Italian cocktail at The Bar/The Lounge.

The Westin Tokyo is in Ebisu Garden Place, about a seven-minute walk from Ebisu Station. For more information on the restaurants, call (03) 5423-7865; for the accommodation package, call (03) 5423-7770.

Sweet Valentine package

Just in time for St. Valentine's Day, the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo is offering a "Sweet Valentine" accommodation package from Feb. 1 to 14.

The package combines a one-night stay in a double room, room service of a special Valentine cake and coffee, and breakfast in a hotel restaurant.

Newly created by renowned pa^tissier Pierre Herme in Paris, the Coeur Elsa cake is made of sweet and sour red fruits, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries, mixed with lemon cream, all sandwiched in three layers of puff pastry.