Spool Restaurant 154, DaLung (TaLung) Rd.

Spool Restaurant offers healthy food in exotic surroundings

By Rachel Chiou
Translated by Cheryl Robbins

The hot, humid summer weather, combined with a hectic urban lifestyle, may make you want to fly off to some remote island. But, for most people, that simply isn't possible.

Fortunately, Spool Restaurant provides an exceptionally lush tropical environment, perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening getaway. Its outdoor seating area is surrounded by tall palm trees, plenty of greenery and nice decorative touches, completely creating a separate, isolated world. Inside, the tropical island theme continues with an assortment of exotic art works and decorations. No matter where you sit, you can enjoy the romance and mystique of the tropics. While Spool is a beautiful botanical garden during the day, paper lanterns and other touches create a romantic, elegant atmosphere at night. The food is also great here and is made with fresh herbs and spices. Many of these--such as rosemary, thyme and basil--are grown on the premises and used fresh to make five-star French and Italian-style dishes. The most popular dishes on the menu are the Rosemary Beef Steak (NT$480), Rosemary Lamb Chop (NT$450) and Herb Salmon (NT$400).

In addition, there are a variety of other great choices, including Thyme Chicken Roll with Mustard Sauce and Basil Seafood Lasagne. Most set meals range in price from NT$280 to NT$480 and include soup, dessert and drink. To celebrate its five-year anniversary, Spool is also offering discounts on its grill menu, and beer for NT$100.

To complement its healthy fare, Spool offers a variety of health drinks. For example, Original Pine-Needles (NT$180) is a beverage made from the juice of the pine, which grows at elevations above 2,000 meters. This juice is rich in vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients. In addition, dates from more than 10 tall palm trees growing outside the restaurant are used to make the naturally sweet Coconut-Jujube Juice (NT$180). Other health drinks exclusive to Spool include Handwrought Flower-Scented Acetum (NT$150), a natural vinegar made from herbs, flowers and fruit. In addition, purple sticky rice is used in combination with various flower teas (NT$150).

Incidentally, Spool also features art objects, sculptures and imported American and European patio furniture, available for viewing and purchase.

If you are looking for a quick getaway from city life and the chance to enjoy some good food while you're at it, beautiful and healthy Spool should be high on your list of restaurants to try.