Fri, May 11, 2001 page10

• Restaurant of the week

  This week we look at three new restaurants that opened in April

  • By Chang Ju-ping / STAFF REPORTER
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  Olive Tree
  

  (Olive Tree 地中海式餐廳)
  

  Imperial Inter-Continental Hotel Taipei, 2F, 600 Lin Shen N. Rd. (台北市林森北路600號台北華國洲際飯店二樓)
  

  

  The decor is sleek, the food is good and it's healthy too at E2 Coffee.

  PHOTO: CHANG JU-PING

  Tel: 25965111 ext. 2702
  

  Open 11:45am-2:30pm; 6:00pm-10:30pm.
  

  Average meal: NT$600. English menu. Credit cards accepted.

  

  Fire up the grill for Japanese barbecue at Chun-hsi.

  PHOTO: CHANG JU-PING

  It may be premature to say that if the food looks good, it tastes good, but the dishes at this cozy restaurant, opened on April 25, look truly delicious. And best of all, the food measures up to its presentation, with a natural, non-greasy, and carefully-seasoned taste. In the short time it's been open, Olive Tree has become popular, particularly among female diners who shun overpriced "hotel restaurants."

  Chef Tom Hsieh (謝宜榮), who has extensive experience at five-star hotels like Grand Hyatt Taipei and Grand Formosa Regent Taipei, says his catering includes authentic Mediterranean dishes. Hsieh does not try to produce overly sophisticated cuisine and people can make these typical Mediterranean dishes at home using the four cookbooks Hsieh has published.

  The mezze buffet features over 25 dishes dishes. The cous-cous salad makes use of North African rice and zucchini prepared in Moroccan style. Hsieh also recommends the provencal potato salad. Other restaurants use mayonnaise in this dish but Hsieh opts instead for parsley, chicken and mustard to enhance the dish in a typical French style. Hsieh says his dishes are rarely found elsewhere, and usually are mixed with a variety of local and imported herbs. If the light dishes at the mezze buffet are not enough, there are also a la carte items with pasta, pizza and main courses to choose from. Seafood dishes are highly recommended. The chef in particularly thinks the Andalousian paella, with its succulent calamari, shrimps, and scallops, is a must try. The desserts are not to be overlooked, especially the raspberry creme brulee.

  

  Don't pass up the raspberry creme brulee at Olive Tree.

  PHOTO: CHANG JU-PING

  E2 Coffee
  

  23, Ln. 240, Kuangfu S. Rd., Taipei(臺北市光復南路240巷23號地之華大廈).
  

  Tel: 2776-3062
  

  Open 7am to 11pm.
  

  Average meal: NT$200. English menu. Credit cards not accepted.

  Vegetarians looking for a nice spot to eat now finally have a place to accommodate them. E2 Coffee, opened six weeks ago, has large windows, a well-lit interior and healthy, organic food that makes this city diner wildly popular. Owner Chen Yao-tsung (陳耀宗) was previously an overworked engineer but quit eight years ago to set up a health foods business to cater to the estimated 200,000 people who eat organic products.

  Chen emphasizes, however, that E2 is not strictly an organic food restaurant. Along with the organic rice and grains and vegetables are nine types of coffee and 10 types of herbal teas. For those who like a light and fragrant meal, try the cereal rice and vegetables Set. The rice bowl is furnished with a combination of mixed grains and different kinds of rice such as black sticky rice (黑糯米). Those who just can't do without the taste of meat should try the fish steak in Japanese style. The meat imitations are made from tofu and taste wonderful and don't have the fat. For extra pep, try the "miracle energy soup," a staple of most organic restaurants. It's a bit bitter, but is extremely healthy, and purports to restore one's energy. Chen says it is made of various kinds of fibers from vegetables, fruits and nuts. He also recommends finishing the drink within 15 minutes to maintain the freshness of the juice.

  Chun-hsi Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant(春喜日式炭燒)
  

  38 Peining Rd., Taipei (臺北市北寧路40號)
  

  Tel: 2570-7793
  

  Open 11:30am-2pm; 5pm-2am.
  

  Average meal: NT$350. No English menu. Credit cards accepted.

  Japanese-style barbecue is one of the novel ways of dining available at this chic, monochrome decor restaurant that opened April 1. Lawrence Lu (盧師凱), owner of Chun-hsi Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant, says dining is more than eating and for diners to take time barbecuing at their own table adds an element of fun. The private booths set on raised platforms are great for friends and families to gather. After 15 years as a restauranteur, Lu says he always tries out new things. For this restaurant, he sent two of his chefs to Kobe, Japan to learn to make sauces and some of the cold dishes. He also used a Japanese interior decor as well, but dropped the noisy hospitality common at most Japanese eateries. Nevertheless, the wait staff is more than happy to demonstrate use of the ceramic pot.

  Lu offers about 50 items for barbecue, including meat and vegetables. The various kinds of beef are a must try. Kobe is famous for its tender so-called "frost fall beef." There is also wu-hua beef, which has some fat in it for a richer taste. Lu also recommends French lamb chops. The three slices of tender meat are topped with Italian herbs for flavor enhancement. The sour and spicy cabbage is exceptional. An added attraction are several specials associated with the restaurant's grand opening -- buy-one-get-one-free Sapporo beer, free iced tea at noon and free soup all day.

  -- chang ju-ping
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