As Chinese New Year draws closer, it is becoming more and more difficult to reserve tables at hotels or restaurants in major cities across the country.
 
Tired of preparing and enjoying new year dinner at home, more and more Chinese are now getting used to eating outside.

In Shanghai, many hotels in downtown areas were already fully booked-up two months before the Spring Festival in late January.

This is despite the fact that the price of a ten-person dinner can be as high as 1,300 yuan, or more than US$150.

To better serve the customers, hotels and restaurants are offering more dinner services this year, such as take-away family set dinner and personalized dishes.

And environmentally friendly and organic food is featuring prominently on menus.
 
(CRI.com December 17, 2003)