SMOOTH BAR & GRILL RESTAURANT 5-7, Lane 50, Jing Cheng (ChingCheng) Road

Fatty's Italian Restaurant owners Hendrik Frijling and his wife, Jenny, have really outdone themselves with this outstanding new establishment, located a couple doors down from Fatty's. Customers will be impressed with the very classy decor on two floors, which includes an attractive U-shaped bar, Balinese furniture, wooden-paneled floors and walls, a wine cellar, lots of vintage black-and-white photos. The menu provides a good sampling of cuisine, including Baby Back Ribs (NT$690), Osso Buco (NT$590), Fish & Chips (NT$350), Bangers & Mash (NT$320), Beef Goulash, New Zealand Tenderloin Steak, Cannelloni, and Red Thai Curry Seafood Risotto. There are also good salads, soups, side dishes and appetizers, like bruschetta, fried calamari, and snails. The kitchen is open to midnight and lunches will soon be available. The wine list features about 50 labels across a broad range and the bar is one of the best-stocked in Taichung, boasting over 25 whiskeys, including a dozen single-malts. German Warsteiner beer is on tap (NT$130 during 6-9 pm happy hours) and there are coffees and soft drinks. Lastly, there's a nice humidor with plenty of Cuban and other fine cigars.