HOME  CENTRAL TAIWAN DINING
COMPASS
MAGAZINE  July 2008
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Maria's
29, DaRong W. St.
(04) 2327-2300/ 0961-272-300
Hours: Mon-Fri 6-9 pm; Sat 12-2 pm, 6-9 pm
(Closed Sundays)
Credit cards not accepted.
Instead of saying "I'm going to Maria's" for pasta, you could say that you've been personally invited by the restaurant's namesake chef for a nice meal. Maria, the super-friendly owner and hostess of this pasta house, also cooks up all the tasty dishes here. Due to a large crowd of people that's always here and Maria's insistence on making fresh, to-order pasta, you might expect a bit of a wait for your meal. That being said, you'll find that the wait is certainly worthwhile. One popular dish is the Spaghetti with Garlic Chili and Olives (NT$169), which is a delectable dish made with extra basil leaves and mixed with white wine and squid. Another classic choice at Maria's is the Tuna & Clam Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce (NT$169), which uses the freshest clams and tuna for a rich and mesmerizing texture. --By Tammy Huang, translated by Ann Lee
 
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Costa
(04) 2329-9717
246, DaYe Rd
Hours: 11:30 am-3 pm , 5:30-10 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
Soft lighting and a classy interior is what you'll find at Costa, a comfortable dining spot with quality dishes. The chefs here make their cuisine with meticulous attention and use only the freshest quality ingredients. Their summer special, the Capelin with Seafood and Sour & Hot Sauce (NT$350/set) is chilled angel hair pasta mixed with assorted seafood, lemon, onions, carrots and parsley, and then sprinkled with the chef's own Thai pasta sauce; it's a truly delightful and refreshing pasta dish, ideal for the season. Another popular pasta dish is their Spaghetti with Sauteed Chicken & Truffle Sauce (NT$370/set). For this dish, basil, onions, and garlic are sauteed with the spaghetti, and cooked in healthy olive oil. The fresh vegetables and tender chicken are even more flavorful when topped with a bit of truffle sauce. What's more, Costa offers a good selection of herbal and fruit teas that the staff can recommend. --By Tammy Huang, translated by Ann Lee
 
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Cielo
(04) 2329-6518
87, DaYe Rd
Hours: 11 am-11:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
When in doubt of where to go for a gathering with friends, visit Cielo; this Italian-style diner has a lot of wooden decor and a young, vibrant feel to it. The staff believes that "when the customers are happy, we are more than happy to serve them!" And it's not hard to be happy with the chefs, who have had many years of experience cooking up Italian-style cuisine. Their three specialties are Alfredo and Pesto Sauces, and pizza. Their Clam with Pesto pasta (NT$220) comes with large clams that are mixed with a unique pasta sauce made with sauteed basil, garlic and butter--the taste is simply irresistible. Also, don't forget to try a handmade, thin crust pizza (NT$150-280). These cheesy pizzas are baked to perfection and topped with tomatoes, garlic and bacon. --By Tammy Huang, translated by Ann Lee
 
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Orient Retreat
(04) 2251-2068
8, DaFu St
Hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 2-5 pm(afternoon tea); 5-8:30 pm
Credit cards accepted.
Orient Retreat, a well-known name in the spa industry, has moved beyond facials and pedicures and opened a restaurant. This eatery serves low-calorie Italian food to spa club members and guests from all around the city. All the ingredients used to make their authentic Italian dishes are hand-selected by the chefs themselves, so you know you're going to get quality food. The dishes here aren't exactly exotic, but you'll be pleased with their tasty simplicity and Italian flair. One tasty dish, the Pasta with Beef Tenderloin and Tomato Sauce (NT$360), gets its flavoring from black pepper and sea salt before being topped with their homemade steak sauce. The Seafood Butter Risotto (NT$280), another favorite, is made with clams, shrimp, mussels and other seafood, sauteed with white wine, spices and fresh butter. --By Tammy Huang, translated by Ann Lee
 
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