Hidden Gearsun Italian Restaurant overflows with great food 160, TaiZhongGang(Taichung Kang)Rd., Sec 3, 2F (Taichung Veterans' Hospital) (02) 2350-8511 Hours：11 am－9 pm

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      What's better than good Italian food? A lot of good Italian food, and the place to find more noodles than Naples and more manicotti than Milan is Gearsun Italian Restaurant, an undiscovered eatery in the heart of Taichung Veterans' Hospital.

     As unlikely as it might seem, Gearsun is located on the second floor of the hospital's first building. It mainly caters to doctors and patients, but is open to anybody and everybody. Some people might find the thought of entering a hospital for fine dining a bit disagreeable but, within minutes of entering Gearsun, you'll forget that you're anywhere near a hospital and be absorbed by the pleasant atmosphere and world-class cuisine.

     The modern-style interior includes glass tables, attractive lighting and a decorative curtain pillar, giving Gearsun a truly unique look. During weekdays, they generally get a lunch crowd, so in the evening it is very common for the restaurant to be near-empty, even as the staff provides courteous, personal attention.

     You can order food from an a la carte menu, but the real value is in the two all-you-can-eat specials (NT$340 or NT$480), where they hand you a booklet from which you can order an unlimited number of items. There is spaghetti, lasagna, salads, soup, seafood, chicken dishes, Fetuccini Alfredo, pizza--enough food to satisfy even the most voracious appetite. The only thing they ask is that you don't waste food and don't order more than you can eat, and with good reason. It would be crime against humanity to let even a morsel go uneaten. The Europe-trained Gearsun chefs and their creations would make any Italian weep with glee.

     The spaghetti is excellent, as is the chicken and mushrooms, and their pizza. The plate-sized pizzas have pepper baked right into the crust so each bite is bursting with flavor. The manager, Mr. Lin Pei Liang, recommends the Clam with Meat Sauce and the Seafood with Basil. There is no dessert on the menu, but if you ask they can provide a small bowl of custard or a plate of fruit.

     It would be safe to say that Gearsun gives the greatest portions of quality food in all of Taichung. While some restaurants provide a taste of Italy, Gearsun provides a mouthful.