CLOSED/chinese: i strongly recommend SHIN YEH TABLE

Closed a/o 2012- now the new location of Sweet Dynasty

SHIN YEH TABLE
No. 201, Zhong Xiao East Road, Sec. 4, 2nd Fl.
(02) 2778 - 8712

website: shinyeh.com.tw

hours:11:30 am-1 am

$$

Kid friendliness: loud music and bar like atmosphere

Visit reviewed: 12/2007



If you've been wanting to eat Taiwanese foods, but don't know if your stomach can handle the night markets or you can't get a table at Shin Yeh- then you should head to Shin Yeh Table. Shin Yeh Table is twenty something hipster compared to the elegant Taiwanese family establishment Shin Yeh. It's not that Shin Yeh is stuffy- it isn't. It's just that going to Shin Yeh Table is a bit like dining in a lounge bar with its trendy decor, lighting and atmosphere.

But luckily the trendiness doesn't overshadow the food as the food is still great. Dinner with friends is a bit like sharing Taiwanese tapas, if there is such a thing, because the menu has a huge array of appetizers and smaller sized of main dishes and Shin Yeh favorites, as well as lots of desserts including the chewy mochi almond tofu that so many people like at Shin Yeh. Shin Yeh Table has lots and lots of alcoholic drinks to choose from and if you come during its Happy Hours (before and after dinner), you can get a discount off the menu which is in English and Chinese.




It was a great first meeting place for my friends at haochr before they moved back to the US. We shared a love for good food and gua bao and figuring out new ways of writing it up. You just have to pretend you aren't eating fatty pork when you bite into the fluffy bun of the gua bao (NT$80 for one, cut into two halves). The cilantro and ground peanuts give it the needed extra layer of flavor.



gua bao or braised fatty pork in buns

It's hard to declare my favorites from the night because everything was surprisingly good. The fried foods were exceptionally crispy and hot, including the yummy soft shell crab and the stuffed shitake mushrooms.



plenty of soft shell crab to go around

The fried rice (NT$160) and tofu pots were smaller than expected, but still very filling and bursting with flavor.






As haochr recalls, we ordered a lot of food- about 7 dishes and it was well worth the NT$1000 we paid (about US$30) for the three of us.






So lounge away as it's open late or come earlier with your grandma (as I did once, and she liked it!) when you can't get a table at Shin Yeh, but you might be too busy eating and listening to the loud music to have any deep conversations. Located right next to Starbucks on Zhong Xiao East Road, you can peruse the menu at the bottom of the stairs before you climb to the second floor.

I finally, finally got a chance to write this up from my archived drafts. Hello to my friends from haochr who have retired from the world of food blogging. :)


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not taipei: Hong Kong

Here are some notes from my trip to Hong Kong last December. I'm headed there again this week, so hopefully I'll get to find more yummy places to eat!

RICE PAPER



Whether you trust food guides or not, you gotta trust your instincts. So when we thought we'd be adventurous and try modern Vietnamese food our first night in Hong Kong, I knew it could go either way, although maybe somewhere deep inside I knew the picture in the food guide looked a little too fancy for good Asian food.



Walking in, the modern decor and lighting might make it a romantic setting for a date, especially if you can grab a window seat for the view. But decor is rarely more important than food and service.



Perhaps we should have ordered their "make your own rolls" rather than trying an their curry, fish and appetizers, but it seemed a bit overpriced and pretty rather than hearty and fulfilling. If you get the seabass, expect it to be fried and under a mysterious sweet sauce.



The curry with french bread and spring rolls were the best thing about the dinner.





The sugarcane shrimp were interesting- but the shrimp was more processed than fresh, and the foie gras summer roll did not have melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, but rather something akin to dried liver.



While most of the dishes were decent, unfortunately, the service was worse than bad (they were asked for things more than three times before responding (bowl of rice, more water, etc) and they sprayed cleaner on the table next to us while we were still eating (the restaurant was far from closed or empty) and they abruptly cleared our dishes while we were standing up getting ready to leave (they could have waited a few seconds for us to actually gather our things and exit the table).


BRUNCH CLUB



Had a meeting here, chosen by the person I was meeting. A cute little cafe serving Western style breakfasts- I wish I had taken advantage of reading all the gossip magazines that they had available to read. I thought you couldn't read them until you bought them, until I saw a lady at another table with a stack, Barnes and Nobles style. Free wifi password upon request too!

Get the huge mix grilled combo plate over the others. I eyed the desserts too, but it was too early in the day.




CAFFÈ VERGNANO 1882



Best for a quick bite to eat- Italian food on couches and low tables. The pizza topped with prosciutto was more memorable than the pastas.



Instead of eating at a restaurant patio, you're eating facing the mall and escalators. We got the lasagna for an additional HKD$7 or something crazy like that, but it tasted as if it could have been from a frozen dinner. I think they are more well known for their coffees than food.





LEI GARDENS- strongly recommend



One of the more well known and popular dim sum joints in town, luckily our local friend made a reservation. Otherwise we would have joined the masses waiting in line for over an hour or so.



Everything came by steaming hot on carts- be sure to get the siu mai, the sticky rice with sausage and stir fried greens (I think it was spinach or yam leaves?)




HONEYMOON DESSERTS- recommend



It's pretty amazing to see this dessert shop all over town- fancy ones like the one near Lei Garden, or to-go ones in the food courts. I don't remember them being around during my last trip to Hong Kong in 2006, but this time they were everywhere. Serving dessert soups, puddings and drinks, the huge menu should be able to please everyone. My favorite is the almond tofu with mango soup and tapioca. (If you're looking for something less local, there's also Ben and Jerry's ice cream here!)



TRIPLE O's- recommend



When my Taipei friend heard I was going to Hong Kong, she said, you HAVE to try the burger place in Pacific Place. So I did. Canada's answer to Fuddruckers, Triple O's had burgers, shakes and fries and a lot of people eating them at their food court. I devoured my Mushroom Cheese burger and thick strawberry shake.



YE SHANGHAI- recommend



A bit of last minute indecisiveness and long wait at led us to eat at Ye Shanghai. It's a elegant spacious restaurant hidden in the back of Pacific Place serving Shanghainese favorites like river shrimp and chili wontons.



I couldn't stop eating the cold appetizer dishes and the crispy rice doused with seafood sauce, but I'd probably pass on the crab xiao long bao and sticky rice dumplings next time.





Like Taipei, it's amazing how every other mall is filled with name brands like Chanel, LV or Gucci, where even in LA, you have to drive to Beverly Hills or South Coast Plaza to shop there. In Hong Kong, it feels like every other major block. But you have to appreciate that the city and stores are open late and so many of the restaurants are regularly open until 11pm.

Lastly, the menu from Curry in a Hurry- Indian food at Times Square City Super food court. I always forget that you have to turn in your order to the main cashier, pay, bring back your proof of payment to the vendor and then get your food. It seems a bit like you're always lining up for something, but I guess it's easier for the cash to be collected in one place for the big bosses!



RICE PAPER
P413-418, Podium 4
World Trade Centre
Causeway Bay,Hong Kong
(852) 2890 3975

BRUNCH CLUB and SUPPER
4 Sun Wui Road
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(852) 2890 2125
8am - 11pm

CAFFÈ VERGNANO 1882
Lee Gardens, Shop 108,
33 Hysan Avenue
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(02) 2907 3817

LEI GARDEN
IFC Mall, 3rd FL
Central, Hong Kong
(852) 2295 0238
11:30 AM -3PM; 6PM -11PM

HONEYMOON DESSERT
IFC Mall, 3rd FL
(852) 2868 9799

TRIPLE O's
Pacific Place
Great Food Hall, Level LG1
88 Queensway, Hong Kong, China
(852) 2873 4000

YE SHANGHAI
Pacific Place
332, Level 3
(852) 2918-9833
11:30 AM to 3 PM; 6 PM to 12midnight

Websites and blogs to note that I will be researching on my latest trip to Hong Kong- I'm gonna see Coldplay there!!!

Any more recommendations on where to eat?

eat drink hong kong
hiphongkong
timeout hk

snapshot: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - Taipei

I also want to see THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, MARLEY AND ME, THE READER, FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN and FAST AND FURIOUS.

Check out upcoming movies in Taipei at Vieshow's website. If you need to book tickets in English like me, use this link.

I never know how they translate films into Chinese.. it's not the most obvious (straight translation) so it makes renting DVDs hard sometimes, especially older ones. But it's fun to see the posters and see if they are similar to the US version.

One thing I do like about watching films in Taipei is that you can book seats in advance, and see it for yourself when booking online or with your credit card. Then you don't have to wait in crazy lines during the blockbuster season (like I think we once waited all night in LA for either LOTR, Star Wars or Matrix. Forget which one).

I also like the popcorn- sweet like kettle corn- though lately it has been kind of nasty. I think it's because they don't pop it fresh anymore.

Did anyone else see Slumdog Millionaire?

snapshot: chicken tikka sandwich at NY BAGEL

NY BAGEL
147 Renai Rd, Sec 4, Taipei
(02) 2752-1669

$-$$

open: usually 24 hours

nybagelscafe.com mostly Chinese

Snapshot visit: 1/19/2009
Last review: 2/2006


Thought I'd try something new for lunch when meeting a new friend at NY Bagel on Ren Ai Road, but the next time I'd probably stick to what they are known for- bagels and breakfasts. What I imagined in my mind as a chicken tikka sandwich (NT$180) was totally different from what I got. Mysteriously brown shredded and spiced chicken that had no place being labeled as "chicken tikka." I guess I should have complained, but I was hungry and it was edible, it just wasn't Indian.



What is your favorite dish at NY Bagel?

Other location

No. 122, Xin Yi Rd, Sec. 5
Xin Yi District
(02) 2723-7977

No. 306, Nei Hu Road, Sec 1
(02) 2627-2886


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dim sum/chinese: i strongly recommend CHAO PING JI

CHAO PING JI
at San Want Hotel, 2 FL
No. 172, Zhong Xiao East Rd., Sec. 4
(02) 2772-2121 ext. 2200, 2201

website: sanwant.com English, Chinese and Japanese

M-F
Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Saturday~Sunday
Lunch 11:00am - 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm - 9:00pm

$$

Kid friendliness: high chairs available and lots of kid pleasing dim sum options

Visit reviewed: 12/22/2008
Previous review: 5/2007


rice noodle sauteed with XO sauce

After a few impromptu visits to Chao Ping Ji without my camera, I finally had it on me, with the battery charged, ready to capture the har gow in all its close-up beauty. Quite a few of my friends declared Chao Ping Ji the best dim sum in town and it seems that the readers of this blog agree- as it won "Best Dim Sum" award in the 2008 Best of Taipei Reader's Choice Poll.



All the dim sum favorites- har gow (shrimp dumpling in translucent wrapper), siu mai and luo bo gao (pan fried radish cake)- quickly got snatched up by chopsticks. If you're looking to try some new things, you should order the you tiao chang fun or rice noodle with fried doughnut in the center and the rice noodle sauteed with XO sauce.


rice noodle with you tiao

Between the goose and the chicken, the goose is moister and more unique.


goose


chicken with potato chips

I probably wouldn't order the oily crispy taro thing- I can't even remember was it taro or mushroom?



Everything tastes fresh and flavorful. Everything you'd expect from a hotel restaurant and more- the extensive menu is in English and Chinese. The decor is elegant and restaurant is family friendly, with private rooms available. It was pretty packed all the times we went, so call ahead for reservations, especially if you have a larger group.

snapshot/revisited: i strongly recommend boba and snacks at CHUN TSUI TANG

CHUN TSUI TANG
A9 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Mall, B2
Xin Yi District

Snapshot: 1/12/2009
Previous review: 7/2006

Despite discovering other cheaper and equally delicious boba milk tea places like 50 Lan and Genki Q Milk, Chun Tsui Tang still is a nice place to have a Chinese-style afternoon tea with it's large array of hot and cold drinks and menu of small plates and noodles. Must try their fried radish cake (luo buo gao) and I like their spicy mushrooms. Get the minced meat noodle for something more substantial.

news: welcome facebook?

Just thought I'd dip my toes in the world of Facebook.. it's a bit more interactive than a blog and it's a great way to connect with all of you readers. Leave me a message there!

Hungry in Taipei on Facebook!

1st Annual 2008 Best of Taipei Readers' Choice Poll

So Hungry Readers, here are the belated results of the first ever, hopefully annual HungryInTaipei.com's Readers' Choice poll in 2008! Thanks to all that voted and hopefully more of you will vote next year! I'll probably adjust the rules next year (no voting for just one category or just one place for multiple categories), these are the results as they are. If you disagree with the results, you can campaign for your favorites next year!

To see how people voted, you can see the comments at this post. Some categories were unable to get votes or a consensus so I haven't named any winners- such as for Best Coffee/Tea shop, Best Vegetarian, Best Splurge Restaurant, Best Bar Scene or Best of the Best.

I look forward to trying some of your favorites that I've never eaten at or heard of, like Niu Sushi, Flavors or Tutto Bello, and maybe some of the winners will pique your curiosity as well. When you eat there, don't forget to to mention that you found out about it here!

1st EVER HUNGRYINTAIPEI.com's BEST OF TAIPEI READERS' CHOICE RESTAURANT POLL

Best New Restaurant in 2008, Best Family Dining, Best Desserts- L'IDIOT

Newcomer L'Idiot swept the votes for best new restaurant in 2008, offering seasonal but simple Western fare as well as impressed voters with its desserts- molten chocolate cake, homemade sorbets and ice creams, crepes, mousses and pies. Bring back the lemon tart and boston cream pie!
No. 156, Minsheng E Rd Sec 3, (02) 2545-6966, lidiotrestaurant.com

Best Super Cheap Eats (Meal NT$100 or Under)- SABABA

Sababa is one of those restaurants that I'm surprised is in Taipei, but am very glad is successful. Part of the reason is its fast and fresh pita sandwiches and hummus platas- all great prices, especially for a "foreign" specialty food. Must try the Plata Sababa- hummus with roasted eggplant topped with a falafel.
No. 8, Alley 54, Ln 118, Heping E Rd Sec 2, (02) 2738-7769;
No. 17, Lane 283, LuoSiFu (Roosevelt) Rd, Sec 3, (02) 2363-8009;
No. 3, Lane 12, Yong Kang St, (02) 2327 9159;
Breeze at Taipei Main Station,
www.sababapita.com

Best Breakfast/ Brunch- THE DINER

The first time I ate at the Diner, I couldn't decide what to eat- but in a good way. Offering a wide selection of Western brunch/breakfast options all day, it's definitely the place to go if you're missing tasty pancakes, eggs benedicts, omelettes or even a breakfast burrito. Just be prepared to wait for a table and don't forget to try the dessert menu.
No. 145 Ruian St, Taipei, (02) 2700-1680;
No. 6, Ln 103, Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, (02) 2754-1680,
www.thediner.com.tw

Best Late-Night Bites- CONGEE on FUXING

While voters didn't vote specifically for No Name, I included its address and review so you could get a gist for the general area. Offering Taipei's version of comfort food until the wee hours of the morning, a row of restaurants offer up congee and all the sides you'd want on Fuxing South Road.
No. 130, Fu Xing S. Road, Sec 2, (02) 2784-6735

Best Romantic Restaurant- VILLA 32

Complete your romantic evening with some hot springs or a couples massage, or just wine and dine your honey at ultra-luxe Villa 32's Euro restaurant, tucked in Beitou, about an hour outside of the city.
No 32, Zhongshan Rd, Beitou, Taipei, (02) 6611-8888, villa32.com

Best Buffet- CAFE at GRAND HYATT HOTEL

Cafe offers both Western and Eastern cuisines in its huge buffet spread- you might even miss a part of it if you're not thorough.
No.2, Sung Shou Road, (02) 2720-1234

Best Night Market- SHIH LIN NIGHT MARKET

Eat at the covered, indoor part of Shih Lin Night Market or follow the crowds to the street eats near the theater or tucked inside the alleyways. Offering all the classic night market foods from oyster omelette to stinky tofu to baos to shaved ice or random food on a stick, no visit to Taipei is complete without a visit to this night market.
Near Chien Tan MRT station

Best Restaurant to take Tourist Friends, Best Xiao Long Bao- DIN TAI FUNG

There might be cheaper or fancier option, but world famous Din Tai Fung is inevitably where we'll take our friends to eat as voted best xiao long bao. I'm guilty of it, you're guilty of it- but only because it's worth the wait.
218 Chung Hsiao East Rd., Sec 4,(02) 2721-7890;
No. 194, Xinyi Road, Sec.2 (entrance of Yong Kang Street) (02) 2321-8928
No.300, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Sec. 3, (02) 8772-0528
www.dintaifung.com.tw

Best Unexpected Find in Taipei- FLAVORS

Swedish food in Taipei? I guess so! Flavors has moved to a bigger location and apparently still delicious. Can't wait to try it.
No.13 Alley 26 Lane 300 Ren Ai Rd. Sec.4, (02) 2709 6525, flavors.com.tw

Best Delivery- CHICAGO PIZZA FACTORY

I've never heard of Chicago Pizza Factory until now, but I'm definitely looking to check it out. While most of us used to ordering Chinese (or Thai) delivery in the states grumble that it's not easier to find here, it's still nice to get pizza delivered. Do you think anyone will ever bring Chicago style stuffed pizzas to Taipei?
No. 1, Lane 11, Jianguo S. Sec. 2, (02) 2707-2121

Best Food Court- 101 Mall

Grab a quick lunch while sightseeing at 101 Mall or just go for the variety. Offering almost every type of cuisine as well as lots of familiar chains (McD's and Subway), you can also hit up JASON's Supermarket for some hard to find items before you head home.
45 Shifu Road, Xinyi District

Best Fast Food- MOS BURGER

Mos Burger beat out Subway as your favorite stop for a quick bite. Hamburger or rice burger, Mos Burger offers up Asian flavors at a fast food setting.
over 100 stores across Taiwan, mos.co.jp

Best Uniquely Taiwanese Restaurant- SHIN YEH

When even the locals line up for this Taiwanese restaurant, then you know that it's good. Shin Yeh offers Taiwanese classics in a sit down, family friendly setting.
No. 112 Zhong Xiao E Road, Sec 4, 2FL, (02) 2752-9299
No. 34-1, ShuangCheng St, (02) 2596-3255
No. 12, NanJing West Road, 8F, (02) 2523-6757
Shinyeh 101 at No. 45, Shifu Road, 85 FL (02) 8101-0185
shinyeh.com.tw

Best Chinese Restaurant- SHANGHAI SHANGHAI

Even though there are so many options for Chinese food in town, Shanghai Shanghai still impresses with its large menu of classic Shanghainese dishes and nice sit down environment. Must get the river shrimp with sweet peas, but everything there is delicious.
Far Eastern Shopping Mall at No. 203, DunHua South Rd., Sec. 2, B1, (02) 8732-1536;
Dun Hua SOGO at No. 246, DunHua South Rd., Sec. 1, B2, (02) 8771-5511;
SOGO, 11FL, No. 45, Chung Hsiao E Rd, Sec. 4, (02) 2778-1088;
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A9, No.9, Song-Shou Rd., (02) 8789-2929
No. 129. Ming Sheng E Road, Sec 3, B1, (02) 8770-6969
shanghaishanghai.com.tw

Best Japanese Restaurant- SUMIE NOUVELLE CUISINE at SAN WANT HOTEL

I always get the multi-course set menu and my friends new to the restaurant always are dazzled by Sumie's plating and presentation of every dish. Don't let the upscale modern interior scare you away from some of the freshest sashimi in Taipei.
No. 172, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, 4 FL, (02) 2781 6909, www.sanwant.com

Best Sushi/Sashimi- NIU SUSHI

Niu Sushi is new to me, but after asking around some friends, it sounds like it does have a great reputation. Looking forward to trying it!
No. 150, Shin Sheng N Road, Sec 1, (02) 2542-9978

Best French- CHEZ JIMMY

You can't get more decadent than the foie gras and steak at Chez Jimmy. Apparently there used to be locations in Tien Mu or on Fuxing N Road (or so says Yahoo Travel and other websites) but after a call to the restaurant, they confirmed only 2 locations right now.
No. 128 Xin Yi Road, Sec 5 (02) 8788-3336
No. 180, Zhong Cheng, Sec. 2 (02) 2874-7185

Best Italian- TUTTO BELLO

Another place I hadn't heard of until now and am looking forward to trying. Upscale Italian that might surprise you in Taipei.
No. 15, Lane 25, Shuang Cheng St, (02) 2592-3355
tuttobello.com.tw

Best Indian- TANDOOR

One of the oldest Indian restaurants in town, Tandoor offers all the curries, naan and tandoori you'd expect, plus a weekend brunch buffet.
No. 10, Lane 73, HeJiang St. (02) 2509-9853
Tien Mu: No.9, Lane 13, Tien-Mu W Rd, (02) 2876-7206
www.tandoor.com.tw

Best Mexican/Latin/Spanish- CHILI's

I was a bit surprised to see Texmex Chili's win for best Mexican/Latin/Spanish, but I guess readers would rather get the fajitas, guacamole and chips here than the other places in town. Maybe next year Eddy's Cantina or Yuma Southwestern Grill will give it a little competition.
Xinyi: No. 22, Sungshou Road, 2FL (02) 2345-8838
Tien Mu: No. 200, ZhongZhen Rd., Sec. 2, 2F (Mitsukoshi "B"), (02) 2875-4838
chilis.iclubs.com.tw/

Best Thai/Vietnamese/Southeast Asian- SUKHOTHAI and MEI KUNG THAI and VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT (tie)

Mei Kung Thai and Vietnamese would definitely get my vote for best Thai in town with its consistently great service and fast and delicious food. With a huge menu and late hours, you have lots of options if you are ordering take out or eating with a huge group. My favorites are the Thai fried chicken, pineapple fried rice, prawn vermicelli pot and yellow chicken curry.
157-3 Yanji St, (02) 2752 3051

At the Sheraton Taipei hotel, you'll find Sukhothai which tied for best Thai restaurant in Taipei, offering up another huge menu of Thai dishes and curries.
at Sheraton Taipei hotel, No. 12, ZhongXiao E Rd Sec 1 , 2FL; (02) 2321-5511

Best Korean- HAPPY KOREAN

One of the only places in Taipei that I've found to have delicious cold noodles in soup just like I had in Korea, Happy Korean delivers very affordable and authentic Korean food throughout the day without the fussiness.
No. 1, Lane 99, Xin Yi Road, Sec 3, (02) 2703-9237

Best American/Western- MACARONI GRILL

You can find huge American sized salads, pastas, pizzas and desserts at Macaroni Grill, and though it's a little more than what we'd pay in the states, there's nowhere else in town you'd get table side opera.
at Neo 19, 30 Sung Shou Road, (02) 2722-4567

Best Noodles- LAO ZHANG

Lao Zhang beef noodle soup is the winner for best noodles, and I'll have to try it to see if I agree!
No. 19, Lane 19, Jin Shan Road, (02) 2396-0927

Best Dim Sum- CHAO PING JI at SAN WANT HOTEL

Chao Ping Ji makes traditional dim sum fried and steamed to perfection as well as offering a few unique spins on dim sum like the Sauteed Rice Roll with XO Chili Sauce and a full menu with Chao Chow specialties.
No. 172, ZhongXiao E Rd, Sec 4, 2F, (02) 2772-2687

Best Hamburger- CALIFORNIA GRILL

Since opening its second branch behind Dun Hua Sogo, California Grill has captured new customers and established itself as the best hamburger in Taipei among quite a lot of competitors. Offering a "So-cal" or Southern California spin on its burgers (beef, chicken, salmon or even tofu) and salads, once you try their lunch special you might be hooked.
53-1 Yong Kang St., (02) 2343 5111
No. 1, Lane 238, Dun Hua S Road, Sec. 1, (02) 8771-9423;
californiagrill.com.tw/

Best Hot Pot- ORANGE SHABU SHABU

If there was gourmet shabu shabu, Orange Shabu Shabu would be it. Offering luxe meats and seafood like prime rib beef or emperor crab for the customized copper hotpots, Orange also offers sashimi and cooked seafood dishes in a romantic ambiance.
No. 135, Da An Road, Sec 1, B1, (02) 2776-1658;
29, RenAi Rd, Sec 4, 2 FL, (02) 2771-0181;
orangeshabu.com.tw

Best Pizza- ALLEYCATS

Locally founded Alleycats wins votes with its stone oven baked pizzas and fresh toppings and multiple locations. One of my favorites is the "Napoletana" with fresh tomatoes, goat cheese, anchovies, olives and spinach.
No. 6, Li Shui Street, B1, (02) 2321-8948
No. 285, Song Ren Rd, (02) 8780-5421;
Da An- No. 2, Lane 248, Zhong Xiao E Road, Sec 4, (02) 2731-5225;
Tien Mu- No. 31, Lane 35, Zhongshan N. Rd Sec. 6 , (02) 2835-6491;
Nei Hu- No. 67-1 Cheng Gong Road, Section, 5, (02)2630-6278;
Xi Men- No. 49, Alley 10, Cheng Du, 2FL, (02) 2370-8858;
www.alleycatspizza.com

Best Steak- RUTH CHRIS

American chain Ruth Chris Steakhouse's broiled steaks are topped with butter and apparently that's how the readers like it.
No. 135 Min Sheng East Road, Sec. 3, 2 FL, (02) 2545-8888; www.ruthchris.com

Best Afternoon Tea- JOYCE CAFE

Offering waffles, souffles or afternoon tea sets- Joyce Cafe beats out a bevy of afternoon tea contenders for the top spot.
No. 22, Ching Cheng St, (02) 2713-8362;
Joyce East- No. 128 Xin Yi Road, Sec 5, (02) 8789-6128

Best Ice Cream- MOVENPICK

Everyone has their favorite ice cream flavor and mine might be the mint chocolate chip from Movenpick. Drool!
No. 12-1, QingCheng St, (02) 2546-7126;
Breeze Center (02) 8772-5457;
DaZhi- Miramar Mall, 3rd FL at 22 Jing Ye 3rd Road, (02) 21753608;
Banqiao- Far Eastern Dept Store, 13 FL (02) 29568291;
Kung Kuan MRT Station, (02) 2362-0906 ;
Taipei 101 B1 (02) 8101-8525 and 89th FL (02) 8101-0156 ;
Xin Yi Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, A4, B2 (02) 2723-6030
www.movenpick-icecream.com.tw/

Best Shaved Ice- ICE MONSTER

Make your way to Ice Monster and you will probably find a long line of locals and tourists alike waiting for their diced mango and sherbert piled atop of shaved ice.
No. 15, Yong Kang Street, (02) 2394-8279; www.icemonster.com.tw

Best Bakery- PAUL, 85 DEGREES C and MAISON KEYSER (tie)

Even though Paul has some of the priciest bread and napoleons in town, customers are still lining up to buy their imported fare.
No. 107, Renai Rd Sec 4, (02) 2771-3200

On the opposite end of the spectrum, homegrown 85 Degrees C offers almost everything for under NT$50. With favorites like blueberry cheesecake or iced latte at a third of the cost of other coffee shops in town, this is one place you wonder how it's so cheap but still so good.
No. 2, Lane 16, Da An Road, Sec 1, (02) 2776-6350 and many more , www.85cafe.com

Maison Keyser also offers many french breads and gourmet desserts at a gourmet pricepoint. But you may find yourself going back and splurging.
at Breeze Center, B2, No. 39, Fuxing S. Rd, Sec. 2, (02) 6600-8888, www.maison-kayser.com

snapshot/supermarket: SUSHI at SHIN KONG MITSUKOSHI SUPERMARKET

SHIN KONG MITSUKOSHI SUPERMARKET
A11, B2
Xinyi District

$

I just got to Taipei this past week from LA and have been hungry at strange times of the day like wanting to eat lunch at 10:30am or snack in the afternoon, since I've been getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning. But hopefully I can get back to writing up all the places that have been sitting in my drafts folder. I'm going to try to post more often, but it might be a snapshot or three from my iPhone of random things food or non-food related of life in Taipei.

This is the first one- as I was wandering around the mall looking for snacks. After devouring a bag of warm Mini One crossiants, I was thirsty and got sucked into the sushi section by the cheap prices- NT$10-$15 a piece!!



So the unagi (eel) was a bit rubbery and the seaweed on the rolls soggy, but it was only NT$50 (or about US$1.75!) to customize my own mini sushi bento snack. Shinkong Mitsukoshi Supermarket has covered trays of an assortment of nigiris and eel, shrimp, egg, futomaki rolls, inari, to let customers put together their own combos.



You pay by the piece- unagi NT$15, masago NT$10- but I was a bit afraid of having to pay of having the price for cheap sashimi (an upset stomach, worst case scenario) so I avoided anything raw, but the inari sushi (seasoned rice stuffed in sweet tofu skin) wasn't half bad. It's a cool option for those who always want to pick and choose their own and get it on the go, but definitely don't have high expectations!



Of course there are a ton of other goodies at the supermarkets here, but this was the first time I had noticed and tried the build-your-own sushi combo packs.