MIT Music Restaurant offers good food and a nice place to get together. Its name derives from the letter "m" in music, "i" for the first letter of the owner's romanized first name I-min (意明) and "t" for toys. For nine years, the restaurant has been a place for night owls to hang out or have a late dinner.
Diners are surrounded by walls displaying owner Chian I-min's (簡意明) collection of Star Wars toys, LPs and autographed photos of celebrities who frequent the restaurant. The rock group Chairman (董事長) even gave Chian one of their award certificates as a wall decoration.
What makes MIT a music-themed restaurant is Chian's large record collection displayed behind the counter, which includes everything from jazz, Mandopop and rock to English pop classics. Record collectors have offered Chian huge amounts of money for some of the rare records he owns. He welcomes song requests from diners.
PHOTO: DAVID VAN DER VEEN, TAIPEI TIMES
MIT also has a large number of interesting dishes. "Over years of experimenting with the menu, I dare say that what I provide diners are `MIT-style' dishes that you can't find anywhere else," Chian said.
Originally opened as a barbecue and beer house, MIT is best at roasts and fried dishes, particularly those which go well with beer. Its signature dish is German leg of pork. Roasted with meticulous attention as to flame and timing, the crimson pork skin is crispy and the fat parts chewy. This specialty comes with mustard and Taiwanese kimchi, an interesting mix.
"To keep the meat fresh, we order only a limited amount every day. Though we sometimes sell out, it's the best way to provide top-quality dishes," Chian said.
For fried dishes, Chian recommends a dish called MIT fries, a beer drinkers' favorite. The dish combines pork, cuttlefish and celery. Other popular dishes include pepper-salt ribs and one called garlic head of fly, which is actually thin sticks of chives. Both dishes are inventions of MIT's cooks.
For a taste of traditional Taiwanese food, try the fried dragon balls. The intriguing name of the dish refers to small, shiny, light-colored balls that are actually octopus mouths. Fried with peppered scallions, the dragon balls are crispy and chewy.
All dishes can be prepared spicy or non-spicy, depending on customers' preference. Fried rice, noodles and vegetables are also offered.
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