Restaurant:Rock Valley Club (洛谷會館)

Rock Valley offers something for everyone, just as owner, Chen Hsi-wen (陳璽文), meant it to. Opened just a month ago, the new addition to Shilin's dining scene, adjacent to Chiang Kai-shek's former house, has more than food. It is likely the only fine-dining establishment in Taipei that sells motorcycles and lingerie as side orders to a savory filet.

"Everyone needs to eat every day and wear clothes," Chen said, explaining the concept behind the club. "We wanted to give everyone the things they need the most."

And so it does. In addition to delicious food served up by chef He Cang-xi (何滄溪), whom Chen coaxed out of the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel, Rock Valley is also a motorcycle club and lingerie retailer. After a delicious meal, the ladies can check out the designer-brand lingerie upstairs while the gentlemen investigate any of the motorbikes in the front window. Chen will dress the ladies in a Louis Vuitton bustier and outfit the gents with a brand new 1,000cc Honda. Don't want to buy the motorcycle? You can rent it and join in on any of the excursions to the club's Hualien hideaway.

But side ventures apart, the food at Rock Valley is reason enough to visit. The filet mignon topped with a goose liver pate is succulent and is brought to the table by a wait staff that is attentive without being intrusive. Chef He's personal recommendations include a lobster in brandy sauce (NT$2,400), baked French chicken with hazelnut red wine sauce (NT$1,800), or a sauteed goose liver with veal in a red wine sauce (NT$2,200).

Several red and white wines are available, as are a selection of spirits. While not on the menu itself, a half dozen inviting desserts wait under glass near the bar. Lunchtime diners would be wise to check out one of Rock Valley's set meals, which, at NT$250, are among the tastiest deals in the neighborhood. Chen plans to open a lunch buffet next month.