Euro Choice 397, DungShing (TungHsing) Rd., section 3 Reservations: (04) 2329-9796 Hours: 11:30 am-2:30 pm; 5:30-10 pm

By Uvia Chang Translated by Cheryl Robbins

In Taichung, there are only a few outstanding European-style restaurants and Euro Choice is one of them. For the past seven years, this restaurant--located on Dung Shing Road down the road from The Landis Hotel--has insisted on serving only the highest-quality, authentic Swiss and central and southern European cuisine.

Euro Choice's exterior features traditional European-style decor that is both simple and elegant, helping to provide a refined and comfortable atmosphere. An indoor stream, complete with live fish, meanders beside the entryway and generates the relaxing sounds of flowing water. Hanging lamps create soft, warm lighting and goes well with the patterned wallpaper and dark wood paneling.

All of the staff go through professional training to provide the most courteous and satisfactory servicem, on par with five-star hotels. Euro Choice has also hired experienced chefs who not only prepare the restaurant's meals, from great lunch specials to a la carte dishes and elegant set menus.

Euro Choice offers a daily lunch special for NT$350. This includes soup or salad, and a choice of one of three entrees--Italian-style steak, grilled fish or smoked meat platter--dessert and coffee or tea. This is a very economical way to enjoy a gourmet meal.

The elegant set menu includes soup, homemade bread, Neptune Salad or Fresh Goose Liver Terrine (made using slices of goose liver, not pate) and a main course (roasted lambloin, steak, lobster, seafood, roasted spring chicken or sable fish). Most of these choices range in price from NT$800 to NT$1,000. Dessert is also served with the meal.

At Euro Choice, food and art are combined with some dishes prepared right at the table. The extensive menu includes items rarely found in other European restaurants, such as steak tartar. European food novices should not miss the very popular Swiss cheese fondue (NT$620 for two persons), chocolate and fruit fondue (NT$320) or Burgundy fondue (NT$850) for a unique and delicious European-style culinary experience.