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COMPASS MAGAZINE, July 2007

	Japanese-style sake houses By Tammy Huang Translated by Ann Lee Da Zuo (04) 2237-8752 1, Lane 407, JianXing Rd Hours: 5:30 pm-1 am Credit cards accepted. Decorated in shades of black and gray with French windows on the sides, Da Zuo is a Japanese-style sake house with a unique-looking outdoor seating area and a dining bar. Besides the freshest fish, Da Zuo mainly serves Japanes dishes on European-style plates, for a complete presentation of color, aroma and flavor. This summer, Da Zuo will present a new Sauteed Smoked Salmon and Tomato dish (NT$80), a combination of fresh grilled tomatoes sauteed with smoked salmon. But hurry, as this appetizer is only available for a limited time. Da Zuo's Signature Chicken Steak (NT$180) is also a great choice. The specially-selected, boneless chicken is slow-cooked, then sprinkled with their homemade red wine sauce, making this tender dish a must-try. Summer's Green (NT$120) is perfect for the summer. Made with green bamboo shoots and Japanese mushrooms baked with rosemary spices and basil, its refreshing texture will leave you feeling light and wanting more.
	Gang Ding 13 Ban-cho 0921-043-666 223-1, ShuangShi Rd Hours: 5 pm-2 am Credit cards not accepted. Making a reservation at Gang Ding might puzzle some who notice that this restaurant's listing is a cell phone number. As it turns out, the owner believes that in the service industry the most important part of the business is contact with customers. This is why, even after opening numerous branches throughout the island in the last seven years, he still insists on accommodating every guest himself. At Gang Ding, staff and patrons have a great rapport and the boisterous ambiance will make anyone who comes alone feel right at home. Gang Ding follows the high-quality standards of traditional Kaiseki cuisine, an exquisite style of Japanese dining that preserves many ancient traditions. The menu offers dishes like steamed eggs, pot grills, fried shrimp, hand rolls, sushi, hand-made Oolong noodles, and barbecued kebabs—a common delicacy enjoyed by the Japanese on a daily basis. The prices are also surprisingly affordable. On average, one person will spend around NT$200 per visit.
	Red Lion (04) 2471-8908 235, XiangShang S Rd, Sec 1 Hours: 6 pm-2 am Credit cards not accepted. If you're near this intensely popular Japanese eatery at about 5 p.m., you will see all kinds of people inquiring about their opening hours or waiting for them to open. At Red Lion there is no specific menu; you have to settle for whatever selections the chefs decide to create, which really depends on what they can find at the daily market. With a stable amount of regular visitors, the team at Red Lion knows how to surprise patrons with a selection of creative and tasty cuisine. What's even better is that if you can let the chef know the number of people visiting, your budget and how you like your food, they can prepare a custom-made meal for you, costing about NT$400-500 per person. The comfortable seating areas, separated by sofas, are great for you and your friends to have fun and some semi-private enjoyment.
	Causeway Bay Lounge Bar 27, TaiZhongGang Rd, Sec 2 (04) 2471-8908 Hours: 8 pm-4 am Credit cards not accepted. This lounge bar is actually a sake house that offers a selection of grilled kebabs, hot stir-fries, fried foods, soup, and salads—all created by their chef, whose specialty is traditional Taiwanese cuisine. Strangely enough, the theme of this sake house is (Causeway Bay), a district in Hong Kong. A signature dish here is the Hakka-style Stir Fry. The dish, a great companion for any alcoholic beverage, is sauteed pork combined with soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine and cinnamon powder, topped with a bit of flavor-enhancing celery. Apart from Taiwanese dishes, the chefs also offer dishes like the Japanese-style Matsusaka Pork Chop, which is crispy and impossible to stop eating. Most items are between NT$180 and NT$380. The German Pig's Knuckle is also a classic choice. A selection of alcoholic beverages is available at Causeway Bay, including some sweet, fruity cocktails that are great for summer.