G'day Cafe 180 Hsing-an Street, Taipei Tel¡G(02) 2717-5927 Hours: 10am-10pm Mon-Sat; 10am-5pm Sundays; closed the last Monday of the month

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By Graham Norris / Translated by Sam Chien

       Given it's Australian name, you might guess that ostrich steaks are on the menu, that pictures of wallabies hang on the walls and that Kylie Minogue tunes play in the background at G'day. In fact, it's anything but Australian. The décor is from Orchid Island, the music is from California and the food is from all over the place.

      International fare start with breakfast: American style Pancakes with Eggs or Bacon (NT$220) and Denver Omeletes (NT$190). Or, British style with Eggs, Toast, Sausage and Bacon (NT$180). There's Vegetarian Omeletes (NT$180) for vegetarians, and bottomless cups of coffee (NT$50) that you refill so you don't have to nag the staff. The same holds true for tea.

      Pastrami Subs, Sloppy Joe's and Jumbo Cheeseburgers (NT$90 - NT$220), rarely found in Taiwan, are served along with Chinese dishes - Fried Rice, Szechuan or Curry Chicken and Beef and Peppers (all for NT$140). Mexican meals feature Chimichangaas, Fajitas, Burritos or Enchiladas (reasonably priced around NT$200). Italian food includes lasagna (the servings are generous!) and spaghetti with a wide range of sauces. For more substantial appetites, try the Steak Dinner or Fried Chicken (approximately NT$300). Salads, nachos, wings and soups of the day accompany the array.

      Aboriginal art and a carved-out kayak on the wall signal that Barbara Chang, the owner who's almost always around serving and chatting with customers, is from Orchid Island. With this eclectic mix, you may wonder why the Australian name? Chang once spotted a magnet on a friend's fridge that said, "G'day". It seemed a welcoming phrase and was applied when the restaurant opened in 1992.

      G'day is definitely a welcome place. You'll easily spend longer than planned relaxing over coffee or reading from the supply of newspapers and books on hand. While the music, pumped in from the US via cable, may not suit everyone, it adds to the casual air. The staff is friendly and the food comes quickly. Best of all, you can order lunch or breakfast after 2pm when most other places have shut down. Smoking is allowed. Daily specials are listed on the blackboard outside. It's a great place to chill out, especially if you're not sure what kind of food you're after.