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TAIWAN
FUN MAGAZINE, May 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 5
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Brown
Sugar
101, SongRen Rd.
Hours: Mon-Sun 6 pm-2 am; kitchen hours 6:30 pm-9 pm.
Minimum charge: Weekdays NT$300; Fri & Sat NT$480;
Holidays NT$400 |
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YOUR RATING & REVIEW | VIEW
VISITOR RATINGS & REVIEW
Brown
Sugar
By Yahan Wu
In
Taipei, jazz is synonymous with Brown Sugar. Always packed,
even on weekdays, Brown Sugar has a reputation for excellent
live music and great cuisine. The black-clad waiters are kept
on their toes from the moment the doors open until closing
time.
Stanley
Chiu, Brown Sugar¡¦s manager for six years, says: ¡§It¡¦s
all about the music! That¡¦s why people keep wanting
to come back.¡¨
Other
live bands in Taipei mostly play an array of pop music,
says Chiu, so what makes Brown Sugar distinctive is
that its band plays jazz, blues, funk, fusion, R&B
and Latin music.
The
bar/restaurant has two bands playing throughout the
week: the house band, which plays four or five days
a week, and their Latin band. The house band, called
Impression, has been with them for a decade. One set
usually lasts for 50 minutes, sometimes longer during
weekends, and then they break for 10 minutes.
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¡§People
are skeptical of whether having the same band play for so
long would be a problem. The answer is ¡¥no!¡¦ We have the
best band in Taipei,¡¨ says Chiu.
He
says all they have to do to keep up with customers¡¦ demands
for fresh music is to change lead singers every one to two
months. Mandy Gaines, well known for her soulful voice and
Brown Sugar performances, recently released an album entitled
Live At Brown Sugar recently. It can be purchased for NT$350
on location.
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Chiu
laments the fact that Brown Sugar¡¦s remarkable music
sometimes overshadows its equally commendable cuisine.
The chef dishes out delicacies such as Baked Mushrooms
Stuffed With Bacon And Onion (NT$180), Baked Sea Bass
With Garlic Butter (NT$420), and Linguini Pasta With
Clams (NT$260).
Drinks
are very affordable, considering the entertainment you
get in return. Spirits are NT$250-350 a glass, beers
go for NT$160, cocktails are NT$220-360, and a bottle
of wine costs NT$900-9800. Tea and coffee are NT$130-200.
A range of cigars is available.
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