Fifi
Address: 2F, 15 Renai Rd, Sec 4, Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: (02) 2721 1970
This list looks only at the best restaurants the Taipei Times reviewed this past year, not the best all around. Fifi, however, could easily be included in this latter list. Fashion designer Isabelle Wen has shown that eating and drinking in style provides the best reason in the world for bothering to get dressed.
Chen Wei-hsiang Taiwan Food
Address: 28, Sec 1, Da'an Rd, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2775 2960
If you totally discount atmosphere and don't mind dining with the leg of your stool perched perilously close to the sewer grill, then Chen Wei-hsiang's 24-hour institution is one of the better restaurants the Taipei Times looked at this year. Chen is the modern prophet of traditional Taiwanese cuisine.
La Petite Cuisine (
Address: 45, Shuang Cheng Street, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2597 3838
La Petite Cuisine has ticks in all the right boxes in regard to picking a top restuarant -- a chef well-versed in classic French cuisine, fine wines, impeccable service and elegant surroundings. The menu regales gastronomes with dishes that include smoked escalope of chicken with grilled persimmon salad and warm salad of pan-fried foie gras with fricassee of mushroom and raspberry vinegar.
South Africa Fish House
Address: 345, Xinyi Rd, Sec 4, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2703 1099
Although some of the dishes on the menu at the South Africa Fish House score below par, this place stands out from the usual crowd of ersatz foreign restaurants. Specializing in fish imported from the "Europe of Africa," this restaurant cooks up a range of food with unique combinations of flavors and textures.
Lion Foot Sri Lankan Cuisine
Address: 292, Yonghe Rd, Sec 2, Yonghe City, Taipei County
Telephone: (02) 8925 1596
It's an urban retreat in authentic Sri Lankan style to indulge yourself in exotic ingredients all imported from the ancient "kingdom of spices." The restaurant offers a broad range of home-made, healthy delicacies that best represent Sri Lankan cuisine. Food is prepared with almost no oil and is flavored and simmered with dozens of fragrant herbs and spices.
688 Beef Bowl
Address: 16, Alley 27, Ln 216, Zhongxiao E Rd, Sec 4, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2778 3075 or (02) 8771 5358
This beef noodle restaurant became a much talked-about eatery this year when its owner Tony Wang was invited on various TV talk shows to comment on its success. Tony's art of culinary prowess lures gourmet lovers into paying what many think is an outrageously high price for a bowl of beef noodle soup. The soup may cost around NT$120 at an average noodle restaurant, whereas Tony charges as much as NT$3,000 or more for a bowl of top-grade soup.
JB's
Address: 148, Shida Rd, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2364 8222
If it's trusty British pub grub you crave then there's really only one choice in Taipei these days -- JB's. Part bar, part restaurant, the joint offers patrons the chance to enjoy fantastic food from the kitchen, great libations from the bar and a selection of live sporting events as well as the occasional movie and UK sitcom from DVD and satellite TV.
Xiao Jiang
Address: 69-3, Hejiang St, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2515 0236
Long a favorite with those looking to enjoy great Japanese cuisine in an earthy environment, Xiao Jiang has become a bit of a Taipei icon when it comes to Japanese fare and now so popular that those without reservations often have to wait to be seated. With its relaxed come-as-you-like attitude there's no arty decor, the furniture is not "fashionably mod" and the waiting staff are, thankfully, more concerned with the hunger pangs of the patrons rather their hairstyles.
Aaleja
Address: 6, Alley 5, Lane 70, Yanji St, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 2773 3227
Opened earlier this year the Aaleja is tucked away in an alley adjacent to Yanji Street close to the fashionable Dinghao shopping district. Meaning "King" in English, Aaleja serves up a good selection of popular and lesser-known dishes from both Pakistan and India.
VVG Bistro
Address: 20, Alley 40, Ln 181, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei
Telephone: (02) 8773 3533
Interior designer Grace Wang
Time and effort rather than portion control and margins is the foundation of VVG and the recipe is clearly working, with meals ranging from cognac mushroom soup (NT$150) to cream truffle lamb chops served with eggplant and roast pearl onion (NT$650).
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