Le Jardin Provencal Cuisine

170, ZhongCheng Rd, Sec 2, ShiLin District
(02) 2877-1178~9 FAX: (02) 2872-8038
www.le-jardin.com.tw
Cooking Studio: (02) 2876-7167
e-mail: studio@oriental-house.com.tw
www.cookingstudio.com.tw
No smoking allowed.

---By Rebekah Godfrey Translated by Peter Chien

This well-known, upscale French restaurant in Tianmu is a great place for a romantic dinner. Owner Andre Joulian is from the French region of Provence, and his southern French food is authentic, innovative and flavourful.

The lunch menu features a la carte selections, though most diners order complete meals. Main courses comes with soup, an appetizer, dessert, and coffee or tea. Choose from a variety that includes lobster, duck leg, lamb chop and rib eye steak. A full meal (excluding wine) ranges from NT$600 to NT$1,000.
The dinner menu features elegant set meals, so come hungry. Each meal is around NT$1,500 and includes a canape appetizer, soup, salad, main course, dessert, coffee or tea, and a chocolate truffle. Desserts are especially delicious: Try the Strawberry Meringue with Vanilla Ice Cream or the Chocolate Fondant. And, of course, there's Creme Brulee a la Cassonade.

Try the wine at NT$220 a glass--a real bargain for the quality. Le Jardin has an extensive wine list so, if you know wine, you've probably already been here.
But don't just come for the food---come for the classes! Almost every day, the second floor Cooking Studio provides classes that range from Japanese cuisine to French desserts to Italian cuisine to wine tasting. The teachers are professionals, usually from five-star hotels and, for NT$3,300, you can be part of an intimate cooking encounter with less than 10 other students. Translation is provided and you'll need to call ahead to reserve a spot. Classes usually run about three hours, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. What a great Christmas present to give an aspiring chef! Check out the Cooking Studio's website for more information, and pictures of mouth-watering creations.
Le Jardin is popular with foreigners and locals who enjoy authentic French cuisine. On their bilingual website you can check the menu before you arrive. The website even provides useful table manners tips for those who aren't used to fine dining.

So the next time you're craving escargot, make the trip to Tianmu; it's more convenient than flying to France! Regulations require Taiwan Fun to remind readers to not serve alcohol to minors.