Walking into the Cosmopolitan Grill, one is immediately greeted by Tiffany-style droplights, vintage-looking carpets, jazz music and art deco detailing, which accent a nostalgic ambiance and suggest a dining experience in classic New York fashion.
"Unlike American restaurants such as T.G.I. Friday's that serve country dishes in big portions for friends and families, we go for a more sophisticated ambiance. You can even come in here on your own and enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine," restaurant manager Angel Lin (林家琪) said.
The establishment's specialty lies in polishing country dishes into fine cosmopolitan confections, and it draws inspiration from regional dishes from across the US. One of the restaurant's signature dishes is the English-influenced London broil with wild mushrooms (NT$380). Grilled with salt and pepper, the beefsteak is served in thin slices, accompanied by mashed potato.
PHOTO: HO YI, TAIPEI TIMES
Moving down south, chicken etouffee (NT$280) served over rice is a reprise of Louisiana flavors. Seafood jambalaya (NT$360) is a New Orleans specialty, borrowing its spices from the classic Creole sauce often seen in Louisiana cooking.
Steering away from the off-the-rack products as much as they can, the chefs begin their daily operations long before the restaurant opens, preparing all the sauces and salad dressings from fresh ingredients.
As for dessert, the freshly baked Chocolate Addiction melts hearts with its smooth hot chocolate clad in the crisp cake shell.
Brunches are served on weekends from 11:30am to 5pm. The black caviar sour cream omelet (NT$280) comes highly recommended, as does the handmade sausage, which is an ideal way to start a leisurely day.
Friday is fish day and the Cosmopolitan Grills lays out an all-you-can-eat counter of sea bass and John Dory for NT$400 per person under the catchphrase "Friday Night Fish Fry."
The restaurant also celebrates American holidays with special sets, while party packages are available special occasions.
For those wanting to party hard, the establishment offers a decent selection of cocktails that don't skimp on liquor. The bar stocks 36 kinds of tequila, mostly imported from Mexico. The Tequila shot sampler (NT$180) is ideal for novices who want to learn how to appreciate four different grades of tequila.
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