LITTLE ITALY (Art Museum Branch) (04) 2372-6463 106, WuQuan (WuChuan) West 4th Street Hours:11:30 am-9 pm (11 am/opens 11 am weekends/holidays) Visa/Mastercard accepted. 10% service charge.

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--By Douglas Habecker, translated by Jean Huang

One of Taichung's most eye-pleasing restaurants, the always-popular Little Italy, has moved its Art Museum Branch on WuQuan Parkway to a larger, even more attractive building right next door. Closely resembling Little Italy's ShiZheng Branch, the new two-floor building resembles a large European villa, complete with a clock tower. Wooden rafters, faux fireplaces, patterned wallpaper, vaulted doors, warm lighting and Italian music all help guests imagine they're dining somewhere on the Continent. There is seating for about 130, including outdoor tables facing the sidewalk. Little Italy's menu, focused on Italian dishes with an American twist, remains the same. Some popular items include the handmade, thin-crust Pizza Manhattan Style (NT$290) and a Taiwan rarity, Stromboli (NT$290), both baked in the restaurant's wood-burning pizza oven. Pasta and other main entrees include Spaghetti with Seafood in Spicy Tomato Sauce (NT$200), Risotto with Parma Ham, Sausage and Chicken (NT$300), and Filetto Scaloppine Marsala (NT$490). Depending on entree price, diners can order an "A", "B" or "C" set (NT$390-590) that includes soup, salad and drink. There are tasty NT$75 desserts like tiramisu, panna cotta and various tarts, plus wines, teas, coffees, beers (NT$70), and European fruit/herb teas (NT$139/pot). Because of Little Italy's popularity, reservations are always strongly recommended.