Tian Liao Farmhouse serves good rustic food and surroundings (04) 2479-5186 / 0936-489-183 2-3, LeTian Lane, Feng Shu Community, NanTun District Hours:11 am-9 pm Credit cards not accepted. No service charge. Parking available.

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By Niang Chen Translated by Cara Steenstra

This simple yet authentic little farming estate is run by its owner, Mrs. Jiang. Although it indeed is a restaurant, the rice paddies and vegetable fields remind you that you are also on a farm. The entire setting is very rustic: a papaya tree heavily laden with fruit, little Japanese chickens strolling about aimlessly, a huge wheel--remnant of an old farming machine--that is taller than a person, and other sights. Under the simple awnings are rattan chairs reinforced by wires. These lop-sided seats fit nicely on the slightly uneven ground. And hanging from the side of the awning is another surprising sight a crocodile. This specimen is left over from a past catering experience.

More than half of the dishes here are made from ingredients found on the farm. Roselle Tea, Raspberry Tea, Lotus Tea and other tea selections are picked and prepared according to season (NT$100 per pot). Ma Yi (NT$150) is cooked with sweet potato and whitebait. This stew is thickened with okra, a practice not often seen in other restaurants. The Pork Knuckles (NT$250) are stewed with dried bamboo, plus sauces so sweet and delicious that two German guests here ate three bowls of white rice with it. Pan Fried Eggs with Mint (NT$100), Black Chicken with Mushroom Soup (NT$300), Black Beans and Little Dried Fish stir-fried with Qing Long (NT$100), and Noodles mixed with Garlic Paste and Lard (NT$50) are all authentic farm-style dishes.

This farmyard restaurant is open whenever customers arrive. Whether they come at 3 or 4 p.m. or much later on for dinner, the owners are always home and prepared for customers any time. When there are no diners about, the owners like to sit and chat while drinking tea or shelling lotus seeds. They welcome school groups to come and learn about farming, too, making this a good all-around farm experience.