Italian fever seems to be in the air lately. Out of the many press kits we’ve received, this is one of our favorites. Tivo is expanding our culinary knowledge of Italy with their “Dine your way around Italy” promotion, showcasing dishes from the many different cuisines of the booted peninsula. From the more rustic region of Puglia, there will be a linguine with prawns and broadbeans (HK$148). Where does the best ricotta in the world come from? Lazio, supposedly. Go test the claim and try the rigatoni with ricotta, yes, from Lazio (HK$148). But what’s an Italian meal without an excess of cheese? From decadent Lombardy comes the formaggio pizza with rocket (HK$168), piled high with dolce gorgonzola, taleggio and parmesan. 43-45 Wydham St., Central, 2116-8055.

Another one that we’re tempted by is One Bar’s Dolce Vita, Venetian guest chef’s Marco Furlan authentic Italian dinners. There are two versions; three courses for $298 or the gluttonous five course one for $498. Both versions have the ubiquitous porcini cappucino, a pasta and dessert. The luxe five-course one has an extra meat course (veal or monkfish) and a seafood appetiser. One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, 2522-2246.

With food prices going up, noone would blame you if you chose your after-work drinks venue based on the quality of free snacks on offer: enter Beso. Niki Vu is a true gourmand; classically trained in French and Italian cuisines, she studied making dim sum and Chinese pastries in Hong Kong, Thai food in Thailand and can even make her own Vietnamese pho from scratch. Like any artiste, Niki will make whatever suits her mood: you may get anything from a Cuban fish or Thai shrimp ceviche served with prawn crackers, to porcini pastries with a parmesan, basil, chili and olive oil dip for free with two drinks. As her food is ridiculously yummy, we might as well tell you now that seconds are an extra $50. 39A Gough St., Central, 2581-3669.

One of the few French restaurants in town that actually offers a bistro selection larger than onion soup and foie gras, Le Petit Paris continues in the same direction by adding to their a la carte menu. Chef Brian Moore’s new additions include a perfect starter assiette for the undecided diner comprised of seared scallops, foie gras, scotch quail eggs, smoked salmon and deep fried zucchini flowers. ($268 for two) Mains include the uber-traditional tournedos Rossini and a fun twist on the standard tuna nicoise: this one has an olive and potato crush, French beans, egg crepe and dried cherry tomato salad, tossed with a sticky balsamic and anchovy dressing ($198). Shop 2076, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2805-5293.

Similarly decadent is the Regal Hotel’s new lobster dinner buffet. Designed by exec chef Johnny Ma, the menu includes lobster salad, the crowd-pleasing lobster bisque, lobster terrine and and unusually for a Westernised buffet, the Cantonese classic, braised lobster with e-fu noodles. Not a crustacean-fan and find yourself accompanying a lobster-lover to the buffet? Not to worry, there’s also curry, sushi and beef teriyaki to be had, as well as a colossal salad bar. 6.30-9.30pm daily, $318 Mon-Thurs, $358 on weekends. 71 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2722-1818.