>Intro

>Churches

>Concerts

>Activities

>Christmas Meals

CHRISTMAS MEALS

* Christmas dinners and other specials will be available at the Grand Formosa Taichung Hotel (1049, Chien Hsing Rd.) throughout December 24. At the 11th-floor Buffet Brasserie, there will be a special lunch for NT$640 and dinner for NT$860, which includes photos with Santa Claus. The 12th-floor Romana Italian Restaurant will have a Christmas dinner for NT$980, which includes a free glass of champagne, and is giving away a bottle of Grappa to the first 50 guests. The 12th-floor Teppanyaki will have a special lunch for NT$1,888 and a NT$2,000 for dinner, which includes a free bottle of red wine. The 12th-floor Steak House will have lunch for NT$1,800 and dinner for NT$2,000 and is giving away, and will give away a free bottle of champagne to each party of two, with a Bingo game with prizes for all. The 12th-floor Catwalk club will also feature a dinner, free glass of champagne, free drink, fresh fruit appetizer for NT$800. The first 50 people get free T-shirts and a special entree. Call 328-8000 for reservations.

* The Evergreen Laurel Hotel (6, Taichung Kang Rd., sec. 2; tel. 313-9988) will offer a variety of Christmas cuisine and other specials on December 24. There will be an Idyllic Christmas Set Menu for NT$2,200 at the 16th-floor Evergreen Club (ext. 2850); a Candlelight Set Menu dinner at the first-floor Cafe Laurel (ext. 2893) for NT$1,800/adults and NT$1,200/children; a Romantic Christmas Set Menu meal at Chevalier Teppanyaki & Steakhouse (ext. 2875) for NT$2,000; and a Christmas Italian Buffet at the B1-level La Farfalla Ristorante Italiano (ext. 2820) for NT$800/adults and NT$680/children. For something Asian, there is the Christmas Taiwanese Dinner Buffet at the third-floor Formosa Restaurant (ext. 2862) for NT$880/adults and NT$680/children; and the Christmas Cantonese Set Menu at the second-floor Canton Palace (ext. 2882) for NT$1,800. Finally, there is eggnog at the Lobby Bar for NT$150/glass and NT$3,000 take-out Christmas roast turkey (until 12/31) at the first-floor Gourmet Shop (ext. 2173).

* Christmas Eve dinner specials will be available at all of the Howard Prince Hotel's (129, An Ho Rd.; tel. 463-2323) restaurants. A series of Christmas-related activities are taking place on December 24 (from 6 to 9:30 p.m. unless noted) and there will be a 20 percent discount for those making reservations two weeks in advance. The Howard Century Banquet Dinner, in the 17th-floor Grand Ballroom, will include a buffet dinner, an appearance by Santa Claus, live bands and dancing. Cost is NT$1,000/adult and NT$1,000/child. In the fourth-floor banquet hall, there will be a Christmas eve semi-buffet dinner with a live band and all-you-can-drink punch, for NT$1,200/adult and NT$600/child. A Jazz Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner will take place in the second-floor Mirage restaurant, with an all-you-can-drink wine bar and live jazz, all costing NT$1,600/adult and NT$800/child. At the first-floor Champs Elysees restaurant, there will be a set Christmas meal with a free glass of wine or champagne and live duet music, for NT$5,000 per couple. For something not as traditional, there wil be a Christmas set meal at the third-floor Yantze River restaurant, a Treasure Christmas Set Meal at the 16th-floor Ocean Reef and a lobster/abalone/shark's fin set dinner at the Howard's separate Shark Bay restaurant (87, Szuchuan Rd.; tel. 316-2323).

* A Christmas Buffet Dinner Party will take place on December 24 at the Plaza International Hotel's (431, Taya Rd.) B1-level International Hall for NT$2,500 (plus 10%) per adult. The party will include dancing afterwards. On the same day, other Christmas specials include a NT$1,000 buffet at the first-floor Garden Restaurant where there will be live Christmas music from 6 to 9 p.m.; a Christmas set dinner at the second-floor restaurant for NT$1,500; a Cantonese Christmas dinner in the third-floor restaurant for NT$1,200; and a NT$1,800 Christmas buffet in the 24th-floor Sky Garden restaurant at 5 p.m. Diners at the third-floor restaurant will also get the chance to enjoy a night stay for two for NT$1,680, including breakfast. First-floor diners can also gain admission to the dancing in International Hall for NT$600.

* The Hotel National Christmas Banquet will take place on December 24, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and include dinner, a DJ, dancing and a raffle drawing for prizes like round-trip Taipei-Japan and Taipei-Southeast Asia airline tickets. Admission is NT$1,500 for adults and NT$800 for children and those who purchase tickets before December 23 will not have to the pay the 10% service charge. The hotel will also have a Late-Night Snack Christmas Dance Party on December 24 from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., costing NT$800 for adults and NT$500 for children. The hotel is located at 257, Taichung Kang Road, sec. 1 and may be contacted at 321-3111.

* The Napoli Christmas Dinner will take place at Napoli Italian Restaurant & Pub on December 25 from 3 to 10 p.m. All drinks cost NT$80 until 6 p.m. There will also be music by DJ Paul. Napoli is located at 424, Hua Mei St. and may be contacted at 325-3174.

* The Frog Christmas Turkey Dinner will take place on December 24 from 6 p.m. to midnight at all seven of the Frog pub/restaurants. Meals cost between NT$1,880 and NT$6,000. Santa Claus will be handing out gifts between 9 p.m. and midnight and there will be a 'treasure hunt' at 11 p.m. Frog I Mexican Restaurant & Pub is located at 105, Hua Mei West Road (tel. 321-1197), Frog II is at 37, Yu Teh Road (tel. 203-0182) and Frog 5 (Buffalo) is at 11, Lane 229, Minchuan Road (tel. 325-2246).

* La Terrasse French Bistro (43, Ta Sheng St.; tel. 325-6982) will serve traditional Christmas meals, both on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and for lunch on Christmas Day. The five-course meals will cost NT$850 per person. Call for reservations/details.

* Salt & Pepper Restaurant (185, Pokuan Rd.; tel. 323-1806) will have a traditional Christmas Dinner on December 25. Call for specific price, time and details.

* Shark Den Restaurant & Bar (5, Hua Mei West St., sec. 1) will have a NT$300 Christmas Dinner on December 24 at 5 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Christmas Party. The party will include a 'Gift-a-Rama' exchange of presents. Call proprietor Mark Harrison in advance at 329-8801 for information/reservations for the dinner and party.

* The only traditional Christmas Pudding in town will be served at Finga's Italian Restaurant (17-1, Ching Cheng Rd.; tel. 327-5450) on Monday, December 25--when Finga's WILL be open--and will continue to be available through the week. In addition, take-out turkeys and hams will be available from the various Finga's outlets, including Finga's Fine Foods (7, Ching Cheng Rd.; tel. 327-7750) down the street. Call for orders and information.

* Papa Mia Italian Restaurant (412-1, Tunghsing Rd., sec. 3; tel. 328-6034) is planning a special Christmas eve dinner on December 24 which will include a full meal and a raffle drawing for prizes. Call for more specific information.

* Papa Mio Italian Restaurant (24, Tswen Chung St.; tel. 376-8434) will be offering Italian-style Christmas dinners on the Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) from 6 p.m.at on Christmas Day. For information, reservations and price, call the restaurant.

* P.J.'s Cafe (2F, 464, Chung Mei St.; tel. 325-2457, 319-4178) is offering what is probably the most reasonable Christmas turkey dinner in town on the evenings of both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, for only NT$195. Call P.J. for more information.