Owner Joe Cook, a Canadian native who has been in Taiwan for five years and Taipei for one, has done his neighbors a big favor by opening The Terminal Bar & Grill. Neihu is not overflowing with sympathetic dining establishments, making this joint a valuable addition to the scene.
The cozy two-story sports pub features a diverse menu, a sociable atmosphere and competitive prices. The long wooden bar and intimate tables downstairs are good for chatting with friends. If the pace of conversation slows down, you can watch movies and sports on the two 32-inch TVs. Upstairs, a 46-inch screen and spacious booths are ideal for large parties or the big game.
Low-key recess lighting creates a welcoming ambience.
PHOTO: JASON COX, TAIPEI TIMES
The array of specials alone is worth a visit. Chicken wings cost only NT$10 on Monday, Tuesday is NT$100 beer night, and burgers are half price on Wednesday. That doesn't even take into account the daily happy hour (6pm to 8pm) when drinks are half price.
The two chefs manage an impressive East-West menu. The highlight for me is the 8oz steak dinner (NT$350), featuring one of the thickest and best-prepared cuts of beef to be found with veggies and your choice of fries or homemade mashed potatoes. The poutine (NT$150) is easily one of the best in Taiwan and the chili (NT$180) rivals any your grandpa ever made and comes with garlic bread. Cheeseburgers (NT$200), tacos, quesadillas and German sausage with sauerkraut are also recommended.
Cook's kitchen doesn't stop there. He has over 20 Chinese items on the menu, including stir-fried seafood, chicken, beef, vegetables, fried rice and noodles, all priced between NT$120 and NT$180. The vegetable (NT$220) and supreme (NT$300) pizzas have substantial crusts. Pasta and casseroles round out the menu.
Drinks are also some of the most reasonably priced in town, even if you're not there for happy hour. A can of Guinness Draught or Boddingtons costs NT$180. Carlsberg on tap goes for NT$160 while most other bottled beers sell for NT$130. The mixed drinks menu covers all the bases, with simple drinks like a gin and tonic costing NT$170 and more complicated concoctions going for around NT$240. Five whiskeys, from Jack to The Glenlivet, cost NT$180-NT$220 per glass or NT$2,000-NT$2,500 per bottle. And last but not least, red and white wine are served.
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