Taipei Restaurants - the good - Update

Go to my webpage for an easier to read version. I have been updating the restaurant seciton. http://www.sinklub.com/seday/taipei_restaurants.htm

Bel Air (2F, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) Walk in grab a drink and a cigar and let the night lead you where it might. This is a US grill type place with wonderful steaks and fresh seafood (stolen form Irodori upstairs). The staff treats you like your at home. So relax and take your time.

Brown Sugar: (101, SonGren Rd -near Taipei 101 (02)8780-1110) Best live Jazz in Taipei. Some people have a hard time finding this new location (they used to be next to Roxy99). Easy way to find: Stay on SongShou Rd until it dead ends into SongRen Rd. They will be a parking lot straight ahead. Get into the parking lot and look to your left. You will see (or possibly hear) it in the back. Weekends will require reservations. Jazz and good eats .... what more to say.

Carnegies: (100, Sec.2, AnHe Rd. (02)2325-4433- quick walk from Far Eastern Hotel) Oh BOY! !!! I can not believe I gave them the hot pink pick. This is the largest pickup place in Taipei. This is the place you see 40-50 year old business men dancing on a bar (ick, but funny sometimes). This is the place you love to hate. However, I will be honest with you. The food is just .... fantastic and a patio view during the day gives this place the hot pink pick. It does irk me that I can not get myself to rate it as average. By the way they carter to the international palate. Enjoy the eye candy while you are there as well.

Carrara Restaurant (370 TunHwa S. Rd-LePetit Sherwood Hotel (02)2326-8039) This is how pizza should be done (Woodstone take note). Beautiful Mediterranean style decor with a flowing staircase opening the room to the open kitchen. It is fine dinning, but not at fine dinning costs. Reservations are needed most of the time. It is just to bad that this restaurant is not on street level where it could rival the outdoor eateries of California, Toronto or France.
Cheers (lobby, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) Flight came in late or waiting for a friend? Cheers is the right place to go. Why they picked the name Cheers is beyond me - I don't believe they had to make travelers comfortable by using this name- because is far from the TV Cheers bar. Food is served late and it is yummy. You can even get beef noodle. Drinks and noodles is a big plus for me.

Diamond Tony's: (Taipei 101, 4th Fl. & *Alley 16, Lane 38, TainYu St., Taimu) Can't go wrong here. However, go to the one in Taimu. The one in Taipei101 is more of a set meal type of place (steak & chicken). It bit expensive and not so good. The Taimu restaurant has been there for years and has great Italian and some French meals. It is a very large place with good service.

Din Tai Feng (194, Xin Yi Rd, Sec. 2, (02)2321-8928) The restaurant Taipei is known for. It is a destination on most peoples list. The long lines for steam dumplings has never thrilled me. Waiting long for food has never been my strong point. People will tell you these are the best and others will tell you these are the best ever! These strong statements have endured for years. So you want classic Taiwanese styled dumplings this is the home of the morning, lunch and dinner dumpling.

Eden: (Bistro98, 10F/11F (02)6638-9988) Hmmm, what to say. I have never eaten here, per say. I have had a drink here with appetizers. I can only assume the food is equal or better then the appetizer, so I do look forward to heading back for a full French dinner. It is the hip place to be after 10pm when the lounge aspect of the place takes over.

Flowers and Birds: (Bistro98, 4F/5F (02)6623-6698) I was drawn in by the lovely interior. It is a nice looking and cozy Cantonese restaurant without exorbitant pricing. An easy choice in which you can't go wrong. Sometimes it is just the simplicity that makes the place.

G'day Cafe: (180 Hsing-an St. (02)2717-5927) A restaurant that serves Dr. Pepper and has breakfast served all day. I'm a sucker for the sausage/bacon, eggs, hash-browns and toast. Where else can you get a sloppy joes's (a little to onion'y for me) in Taipei. This is what I would call a "dive" in the USA. Sounds like a bad term, but normally "dives" have the best homemade food. Try this dive and keep going back.

*Guan Dii Dinning&Bar (No.26, Lane134, Shin Yi Rd (02)2325-8633) The out of the-way secretive lounge. It is behind AIT (American Institute of Taiwan -remember there is no embassy here), and it will look like a private residence. Be cool and don't be fooled the fun is just beyond the wall. The place was closed for a long period of time in late 2004(they missed my business at least on 5 occasions). I guess they were redecorating, I should have climbed the wall to check it out. I think it is one of the best lounge bars in Taipei. Believe it or not I have not eaten there, but the plates that passed me always smelled and looked good. If you have traveled to China you may have been in one of their sister sites. Check this one out while you are in Taipei for high profile lounging. Do call first.

*Herbs Restaurant: (1F, No.32, Lane 11 Loli Rd (02)2732-3255 [also a Herbs in SoGo -not sure if owners are the same-45, ZhongXiao E. Rd. Sec.4, 11F] I am very happy when I eat at this restaurant. The interior and exterior make it feel as if you are far from the city in a relaxed little villa. I understand they grow their own herbs as well that are used in the food. I would call the restaurant a fusion of Italian-French-Chinese. Good place to go for the business man looking for something a little out of the ordinary in Taipei without traveling far. Plus a short walk takes you to the bars on AnHo Road.

Irodori: (3F, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) By chance I was lucky enough to eat here. It is just that Japanese sushi bars are not my thing, so I would not frequent. You like fish and Japanese food you will enjoy every minute in here. Get that plastic out.

*Lawry's: (12F, 138, Section 4, Pateh Rd - Living Mall or Pacific Crown City building whatever
you want to call it (02)3762-1312) I like this place. Actually my wife and I love their potatoes and spinach. Just tastes scrup'delicious with their sauce. Good bartender for martinis, good wine and a place to grab a cuban cigar without running around the city looking for them. Traveling westerners may feel like it is too much like home and that they are missing out on Taipei's other offerings. But I will go anytime.... me likes Lawry's.

*Mykynos: (8, LiShui St. (02)2396-9388) Yummy, Yummy, Yummy. From the name I can only assume you already know it is a Greek restaurant. If you are to pick a place to take your Chinese friends take them here. It will be a welcomed surprise for everyone. Spend a little money and splurge on an appetizer, but save room for dessert.

*"Old Delicious Tea House" (Banchou, JungShou Road, No.58, Sec.2, 5,6,7F (02)2956-8787 - call for the correct street name) To business men and women. If you want to pull a fast one on your Chinese associate take them to this restaurant. First they would be in total shock that you know of the place. Second they would be very impressed with your choice. You would be walking into a very old Chinese world when you step inside. Movies could be filmed here. It is so beautiful. A Chinese room like you see in a movie. Dinning in small rooms set around the edges (can be curtained off) of each floor with a large open center. Beautifully carved railings and antiques to awaken the senses.

Osteria Rialto (No.5, Lane 260, Kuang-Fu S. Rd (02)2778-1536) Fell head over heals when I first ate here some years ago. Since then cooks have changed and there was a lull. I've been back and they are right on track. Small intimate dinning, but not the place for the business traveler (lunch okay). I think it is more for the local or casual traveler. They even have a few seats on the outside (which I like). Italian food that won't disappoint.

*Papa Giovanni: (22, Alley 6, Lane 170, Sec.4, ZhongXiao E. Rd (02)2711-8720) "We are Italian and know how to make Italian food." Nothing can be further from the truth. They even have a strolling accordion player on certain days. Never had bad food or service here. I lived in Taipei 2 1/2 years before I went to Giovanni's and I kick myself for not going the first week I arrived. Obviously everyone else knows of the place because it is always full of people. Do as I do and get two bottles of the house wine and enjoy.

*People Restaurant: (191, Sec.2, AnHo Road, B1- across from Far Eastern Hotel (02)2735-2288)) Be sure to call for reservations. Love this place. I think they need to do some small renovations (paint & a few fixes), but this is a great place to eat when in Taipei for fun or business. The menu is very eclectic and has something for every taste bud (Korean, American, Chinese, Japanese etc..), but not being overwhelming.
Portofino: (2F, No.319, Sec.1, TunHua S. Rd (02)2755-5580) Very lovely Italian restaurant. Get a seat by the window and watch the traffic stream by or get more comfy in the intimate dinning facility. The staff always has good suggestions and so far they have always been right on. It does have a European feel to the decorating scheme, which you don't see in Taipei often. Business, casual date or some quite time with a friend Portofino will comfort you.

Q Bar: (16, Alley 19, Lane 216, Sec.4, ZhongXiao E. Rd (02)2771-7778) Looking for a good bar to relax in or just looking for a bar with good food? Look no further. Q Bar is just the right size with just the right menu to satisfy. It is always changing, just like some of the interior. When you go check out the large painting on the back wall..... can you name the artist? - you should be able to.........

Red Castle: (6, Lane 2, Sanmin Street, Danshui) A great place to visit and eat. It is a three-story Victorian-style red building. Menu changes every season and you get to sample the most authentic Chinese food. Worth the time to get there.

The Red Playhouse/Paper Windmill Coffee: (10, ChengDu Rd.(02)2311-9380) Be sure to call or check out performance times. It is worth the time to visit the small shops inside and eat at the coffee shop. The food is good and the large space opens your heart from the crowded streets. All in all I hope you can catch a show and grab a bite to eat.

Salt & Bread (269, Sec.2, DunHua S. Rd (02)2738-2700) A Russian Cafe and Coffee Shop with an added bonus of a "snow" room. The front of the store is a bread and coffee shop, but wander towards the rear and you will see a beautiful restaurant unfold before your eyes. To the left a bar and to the right a walk-in freezer full of vodka which is the snow room. I don't know if you can go and drink in there, but it is set up like a bar. Just bring you down jacket with you. I personally wanted to bring my sleeping bag and gear and camp out. Forgot to mention the food -just like mama used to make. I joy to eat homecooking when you are half way around the world.

Shanghai Court (2F, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) My suggestion is if Pearl Liang is not your cup of tea Shanghai Court will be. Get a little of everything and try out the different Chinese dishes. It is classy inside, but without the stuffy feeling.

*Shintori: (68,AnHe Rd, Sec.2 (02)2702-5588) An out of towner trying to close a business deal? Shintori will do it for you. If you are local and just need to impress. Shintori will do it for you. Japanese food and decor that will make you feel as if you are a samurai. Bring your plastic unless you carry around a wad. And if you do carry around a wad of money with you.....please call me the next time you go out I can help spend it for you.

Shin Yeh Restaurant: (375 XinYi Rd, Sec4, 2F (02)2725-1025) Focusing on the international and local customer. If you cannot read Chinese and want to dig into local dishes and are intimated for some reason ShinYeh will help you out with English menus and pictures. They also have a Mongolian barbecue which will comfort most westerners.

Sonoma Bistro: (43, Alley25, Lane 113, Sec.3, MinSheng E. Rd (02)2546-3525) Sonoma on MinSheng E. it is tucked away in the back streets and is next door to O'Ginny's bar (not a bad thing) behind the Sherwood. The hard part is that the MinSheng E. location is close to LuLu's which can be just as good. A pleasant restaurant, but I would opt for their Steak House as would any business traveler.

*Sonoma Steak House or Grill: (600 LinSen N. Rd, Taipei Imperial Hotel (02)2598-5084) One of the best places to get steak in Taiwan. The prices are reasonable for the business traveler, but expensive for every day dinning. You will not walk out hungry or disappointed. If steak is what you crave Sonoma is the place to go.

Taipei Story Theater: (next to the Art Museum; 181-1, ZhongShan N. Rd, Sec.3 (02)2587-5565) Not really a restaurant, but rather a tea/coffee and desert house. Normally will have some art "thing" going on in the Tudor house. After a visit to the art museum you should have a nice place to sit and relax with your friend. I hear they have food, but my eyes only see the deserts. I don't think I would feel quite right eating here anyway. I'd rather taste the smells on the back streets of Taipei.

Thai Heaven (multiple locations): Your average cookie cutter Thai restaurant you will find in Taipei. No straying from what works. Good food, nice atmosphere and almost always crowded. I think my review of Very Thai (on FuHsing N. Rd)will be about the same. Both places could be owned and operated by the same owner, they are very similar in dishes. Very Thai is a bit more stylish. Very easy to find yourself going back again and again.

*Thai Thai: (166, DunHua N. Rd, Mandarina Crown Hotel (02)2712-1201) Where the who's who's and the business traveler meet. As you can probably tell you are paying for the place since it is in a hotel and the cliental it caters. The service is top-notch and the meals are prepared well. Also have a decent selection of wine. I wonder if Intel and Microsoft's offices are close for this reason (good schmoozing). Must admit I have always had a good time here and highly recommend it. (oh, yes - do call for reservations)

*Tien Hsiang Lo (No.41, Sec.2, MinQuan E. Rd -Landis 'Ritz' Hotel (02)2597-1234) Make a reservation. If your a business traveler and not eaten here I can only say two things: (1) next time you are in Taipei make sure you go, (2) your Chinese associates are being cheap. This is fine art here. You want the best of the best cooked Chinese food. You want to go home and brag. You want white gloved service. Tien Hsiang Lo. (by the way get the Don-Po pork)

Very Thai: (319 FuXing N. Rd (02)2546-6745) Stylish joint with very good Thai food. You will enjoy yourself. It seems to be a popular dating location as well. I know I even witnessed a few break ups there. Taiwanese women are not afraid of hitting their man. Hope you get to see action if you go. It really spices up the night. Otherwise it is pretty much like Thai Heaven.
Amaroni's Little Italy: (No.218, ChanChun Rd. Gee Hsin Building (02)2507-6967) Simple message about Amaroni's: Family style Italian dinning. Take 4 or more people order 5 dishes and go at it. Food has always been delicious, and I have always wanted to pocket some of their bread.