HOME  CENTRAL TAIWAN DINING
COMPASS
MAGAZINE  September 2008
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Hong Ying Garden Restaurant
Moved to: 131-5, DongShan Rd, Sec. 2, Beitun Dist.
(04) 2239-2280
Hours: 11 am-10 pm
No service charge.
Parking available.
Hong Ying Garden Restaurant, located on a street corner in Dakeng, allows guests to enjoy beautiful scenery while leisurely enjoying a meal. The garden area here has a huge stone wall and waterfall; a pond sits quietly next to the tall pines and Indian cherry trees. After finishing your meal, you may want to sing a song or two on their karaoke machine. When nighttime arrives, you might also hear a saxophone or violin performance while having a coffee or herbal tea. --By Niang Chen, translated by Ann Lee
A: Salted Chicken (NT$230+), is made with young, tender, indigenous chicken. The fresh Stir-Fried Vegetables (Shan-Su, NT$120) are bought on the day the chefs cook them.
B: Fish Head in Clay Pot (NT$420), Gong Bao Thousand-Year Eggs (NT$160), and Chilled Vegetables (NT$80) are some of the popular dishes at Hong Ying. The clay pot dish is made with cabbage, dried bean curd and mushrooms, while the thousand-year eggs are stir-fried with chili peppers for a unique flavor. The Chilled Vegetable dish is topped with a refreshing Japanese He-Feng dressing.
C: Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots (NT$330) and Fried Sweet Potato Balls are other tasty favorites here.
  
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Shi Fang Treetop Cafe
(04) 2239-3008
77-2, HengKeng Alley, Dakeng
Hours: Sat & Sun 9 am-7 pm
(not open on weekdays)
No service charge.
Parking available.
This one-of-a-kind cafe, established by a group of hardworking special education teachers, serves a nice selection of dishes in a beautiful environment. A lot of the staff here are actually students, who have a chance to get some working experience welcoming customers and serving food. --By Niang Chen, translated by Ann Lee
A: This cafe is mostly made out of wood and fits right in among the trees of Dakeng; the entire ambience is clean and spacious, with a great panoramic view of the surrounding area. Their afternoon tea menu has choices like coffee or herbal tea (NT$90-120).
B: The most popular dish at the restaurant, Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots (NT$180), is made with fresh, indigenous bamboo shoots that are grown right in Dakeng. The licensed chefs here are professionals, that care to get every meal just right.
C: The Creamy Milk Hot Pot (NT$210) is made with milk, mushrooms, vegetables and thinly sliced meat. The cafe also offer snacks, icy treats, and coffee.
  
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Provence Cafe
(04) 2239-7099
205-1, DongShan Rd, Sec 2 (close to Zhongxingling, make a right turn on MinXing Alley)
Hours: 10 am-8 pm
No service charge.
Credit cards accepted.
Parking available.
When arriving at Provence Cafe, you'll be greeted by colorful plants. Sage, rosemary, lavender, spearmint and sunflowers crowd the entrance, adding a nice touch to the already spectacular, mountain-top view. From their large windows, you can see a panoramic vista of Taichung city. Whether at night or during a fall sunset, the view will certainly take your breath away. For food, Provence offers a range of delicate set meals and hot pots (NT$280/520), a well as freshly-caught fish and local chicken. These Chinese-style set meals are NT$880 and serve two. --By Niang Chen, translated by Ann Lee
A: Home to vanilla leaves, herbs and great scenery, Provence can now be found in the Dakeng Scenic Area.
B: Afternoon tea selections start from NT$220; choices include coffee, hot and ice beverages, handmade cookies, cakes, waffles and snacks. The Caramel Machiato (NT$160), served with fresh cream, is a popular choice. Don't forget some vanilla cookies to go with your coffee.
C: Green Pepper & Cinnamon Roast Chicken (NT$380) is a half-chicken that's seasoned and roasted. Homemade Corn Soup, served with Parmesan cheese, is also a tasty choice.
  
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Jin Hu Lu Restaurant
(04) 2251-2068
8, DaFu St
Hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 2-5 pm(afternoon tea); 5-8:30 pm
Credit cards accepted.
With a 25-year history in the area, Jin Hu Lu Restaurant has witnessed the evolution of Dakeng into a tourist spot. When he was young, owner Ho Jih-hshiang started this business on his own land. Once surrounded by vegetable gardens and pear orchards, the area is a little more developed, but it still maintains its natural, beautiful scenery. --By Niang Chen, translated by Ann Lee
A: Bamboo trees and various green plants greet customers at the entrance; baby bamboo drops down to arch the gateway and click together in the breeze.
B: The restaurant offers a variety of specialty dishes such as Fu-Cai Sugarcane Bamboo Shoots (NT$160), has an even sweeter taste than the usual pale yellow shoots. Tian Shan Vegetables (NT$160) are boiled, chilled, and then topped with special seasonings for a delightful summer dish. Chicken Strips with Mushroom (NT$200) is cooked with unique wild mushrooms for a somewhat crispy texture.
C: Tian Shan Invisible Feet (NT$90/per serving) is a dish with a funny name. It is basically made up of peanuts and pig's knuckles.
  
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