My old college hangout: Mel's Drive-In

Years ago when I first moved to San Francisco, I had my first meal in the city at Mel's Drive-In. This place has the best milkshake in the world!!!

James had a hamburger and I enjoyed a healthy Mel's famous spinach salad (for only $8!)Our eyes were lit up when the waitress asked what we wanted to drink. "Chocolate milkshake, please!"

James always calls me "Snow White" and he started calling me "my favorite college girl" since I chopped off my hair. When we meet up, we always exchange our latest dating exploits. Once we talked about moving in together if we both remain single years from now. He's really a great catch but he's had some real bad lucks with women. But I truly believe that when the timing is right he will find Mrs. Right. I just know...

First Dinner after Arriving in San Francisco

I brought in the Japanese whisky from Taiwan requested by Dave who's been reading about award-winning whiskey around the world. Apparently in the States premium brands of Japanese whisky are not available in stores. I managed to find two bottles and packed them in my suitcase.

There is no better food to go with Japanese whisky other than sushi! So Dave and I came to Sushi Man (731 Bush Street). Big fat juicy sashimi and primo Japanese whisky...what a fabulous life!

Ready to board flight BR018: TPE - SFO

You know you're in Asia when the nursery room has Hello Kitty all over it.

This damn typhoon is considered the biggest so far this year. Some friends were worried that I wasn't going to make it out of Taiwan in this weather. The car service showed up at 4:30 pm to take me to the airport. It was a Mercedez Benz Brabus and the trunk had plenty of space to fit my large suitcases. I arrived at the airport in 35 minutes. To my surprise there was no line at the check-in counter. But I learned that each luggage can't be more than 23 kilos and one of my suitcases weighs 25! This new policy sucks! The luggage itself probably weighs 10 kilos. From now on I'll have to think twice about what I'm going to pack in my suitcases. That takes the fun of shopping in America away!

I have not been to the States for almost a year and I just know that it's going to be lots of fun and then some!

Going on Vacation

親愛的朋友:

你們一定覺得我一天到晚都在玩樂
為什麼需要度假
但是台灣這個地方實在太小
只有走出這個小島才知道自己的渺小
而且我已經將近一年沒出國
所以我決定讓自己去美國徹底放鬆休息

有事找我可以用MSN聯絡
或是傳簡訊到台灣的手機
需要聯繫我的話
美國的手機號碼是415-640-0xx3
要我幫忙買東西的請盡速告知
我最晚在十月30日回到台灣
等我回來慶祝本小姐的35大壽

=============================
以下是朋友們的回信:

Cassie says:
好好去放鬆玩樂吧！畢竟這才是妳的天職與天份所在呀。
我下週五也會出國去東京看我心愛的Radiohead，
祝妳這趟玩得愉快啊，回來再迎接妳的35歲，
去美國有什麼新進展可要記得告訴我喔我來開個賭盤算了噗。

My Soul Brotha says:
Hey! I just went to the West Coast! LA though, was there for my friend's wedding. Now in NY. But I'm leaving next Tuesday (9/30)
You going there for vacay or work? Don't tell me vacay
Or gonna research some more stories for your next book?

Ivy says:
親愛的
那我要跟你去神遊 (雖說那...我可能會看到兒童不宜的畫面 哈哈)
用力玩吧
我希望你超開心 抄幸福
ps. 我不需要買東西 哈哈哈

David says:
期待妳的35大壽
~我好好健身~ 貢獻 猛男秀 哈哈哈~

Joshua says:
親愛的 我不會認為你一天到晚都在玩樂
我只會認為 玩樂就是屬於妳的 :)
Have fun in the States... miss ya

if you need any help here... you know my number!

Sabrina says:
Dear D姐~
我才不覺得你玩樂咧
我看你東忙西忙低
但都是在忙自己喜歡的東西 游刃有餘的東西
很有品質的生活
我也 一點也不想活在這"寶島"
每天看被逼迫著得說愛台灣就... 開始有點反感
我上次看了 雜貨店老闆的兒子 那部法國片
熊熊的希望開個雜貨店 在那樣的鄉間也爽
自己的步調 看自己的風景 呼自己能滿溢的空氣
辦公室裡 我常覺得快 一口氣換不過來 好在我比林黛玉可強壯多多了
好好休息吧
一個月夠嗎? ㄎ.. 總覺得一個月太快哩
有多少時間空間就好好享用吧!
等你回來阿
等著幫你祝大壽 ^___^

Darts Mania

Darts Mania花鳥風月
Hours / 營業時間
Daily 7:00 pm – 3:00 am
每天 7:00 pm – 3:00 am
02-2775-4800
No.409-1 Section 4 Ren-Ai Road Taipei ﹙close to the intersection of Yan-Ji Street & Ren-Ai Road ﹚
台北市仁愛路四段409號之1 ﹙延吉街與仁愛路口﹚
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.wretch.cc/mypage/dartsmania09

DARTS MANIA: Stress-relieved darts bar after work

What is the newest sport of the year in Taiwan? Darts! This sport has integrated into local nightlife and became the latest trendy thing to do around town. And it continues to gain popularity and there are more and more enthusiasts about darts in Taiwan. On a stormy Friday night a friend introduced me to Darts Mania. Upon my first encounter I discovered a group of hip youngsters having a blast while playing darts and sipping cold draft beer even though it was only 8 o’clock at night.

When I first learned of the name, Darts Mania, I wasn’t sure what it is. According to Tommy, one of the shareowners explained that the idea was originated from a famous darts bar in Japan. And it just happened that most of the shareowners of Darts Mania are overseas Japanese living in Taiwan. It was merely a year ago when they established Darts Mania for two reasons: 1. their passion for darts; 2. their ambition to promote the sport of darts and foster more professional darts players.

I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m physically challenged to play any type of sport. When I first laid my eyes on the electronic soft tip darts board, I didn’t know how to begin. Tommy told me that at Darts Mania newcomers are always welcome to walk in and learn all there is to learn about darts. Who knows? Any newbie just might become the next topnotch darts player! My one-on-one course of darts for dummies was less than three minutes. Tommy taught me all the basics, from the set position to how to hold darts properly, and how to coordinate the elbow and the wrist while throwing darts. Much to my surprise it is really a fun sport! The moment when I released darts in-between my fingers, it felt as if all the tension and stress were gone with the speed. Just playing for 30 minutes will boost your energy level to a new height! Each darts game only costs NT20 or NT30 depending on the number of players. After the initial eight rounds of darts you’ll be yearning for more!

The daily happy hour goes from 7 to 9 pm. Orion, imported premium draft beer from Okinawa, is only NT150. And an order of sausage ﹙NT150﹚to go along with the draft beer is the perfect combo that will turn any bad hair day into a feel good night! Come over to Darts Mania on Wednesdays and Saturdays when competitions are held throughout the night and expect to see a crowded house!

It is clearly stated on the menu: minimum NT150 per person, Darts Mania offers down to earth pricing despite its prime location. Darts Mania signature cocktail ﹙NT250﹚is extremely fruity and caters to young and hip female customers. Tommy’s special green island cocktail﹙NT250﹚looks pretty on the outside and for reason it seemed like my darts skills had advanced to the next level after drinking it. When you’re taking a break from the game and ready for dinner Darts Mania original pasta ﹙NT200﹚offers two types of sauces, creamy bacon white sauce and spicy marinara red sauce are both delicious.

Thanks to Tommy’s management and leadership Darts Mania already fosters a large group of loyal customers and professional darts players. They have teamed up to head to Bangkok in December for the next international darts competition. If you have not caught on to it, you’d better hurry to Darts Mania and plead Tommy for darts lessons!

花鳥風月：每天下班後釋放壓力的飛鏢酒吧

你知道目前台灣酒吧最新興起的運動是什麼嗎？飛鏢！這項運動和夜生活結合成為一種趨勢，而且參與的人越來越多！經由朋友介紹，在一個風雨交加的週五夜晚，我首度拜訪花鳥風月，才八點多，已經有一群人邊玩飛鏢邊喝啤酒，開心的很！

第一次聽到花鳥風月，我誤以為是個特種行業；股東之一，來自香港的Tommy說這個店名延習日本一家知名飛鏢酒吧，巧合的是另外幾位股東也是僑居於台灣的日本人。基於對飛鏢的熱愛，一年前他們集資合夥，希望推廣這項運動，培養更多優秀的專業選手。

自認沒有運動細胞，再加上我從未射過飛鏢，眼見一整排的電子飛鏢機台，我不知該如何開始。Tommy說，他們非常歡迎新手上門，因為可能因此造就未來的飛鏢好手！Tommy花了幾分鐘教導我從握飛鏢、兩腳站立的姿勢和角度、手肘的預備動作，以及手腕如何使力，沒多久我就開始和朋友一起玩。我萬萬沒想到，這項運動看似沒什麼，但是有趣的是，當飛鏢射出的那一刻，好像全身的壓力也隨之釋出，玩半個小時以上絕對讓你混身是勁！每玩一次，只需20至30元的銅板，一次最多三個人一起玩，八回合之後分出高下，你會上癮的。

每天晚上從七點到十點都是歡樂優惠時段，日本沖繩進口的Orion現榨生啤酒，一大杯500cc只要150元！再配上一份香腸﹙150元﹚，無論是工作壓力或是生活上的不愉快，頓時煙消雲散。週三和週六晚上各有比賽，是人群聚集最多的時候。

菜單上寫著：每人最低消費150元，花鳥風月的價位非常平易近人。女性必點的花鳥風月特別調酒﹙250元﹚，香甜的水果口味頗受好評！Tommy自創的綠島調酒﹙250元﹚，顏色誘人，喝完之後，我玩飛鏢的技術似乎更上一層樓！花鳥風月招牌義大利麵﹙200元﹚有培根奶油白醬和蕃茄紅醬兩種選擇，前者香濃，後者帶點小辣，都一樣美味！

在Tommy用心經營之下，已經培養出一群死忠的顧客，店內的飛鏢好手也越來越多，他們正摩拳擦掌的準備下一屆國際飛鏢大賽！還來不及搭上這一波飛鏢熱潮的你，趕緊到花鳥風月找Tommy拜師去吧！

He Feng Zhong Guo Cai 荷風中國菜

He Feng Zhong Guo Cai 荷風中國菜
Hours / 營業時間
Lunch 11:30 am – 2:00 pm；Dinner 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm ﹙closed for 3 days during Chinese New Year holiday﹚
午餐8:00 am – 7:30 pm；晚餐 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm ﹙農曆新年休三天﹚
02-2545-3536
1F No.32 Lane 106 Section 3 Min-Chuan East Road Taipei
台北市民權東路三段106巷32號一樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.hefengr.com

He Feng Zhong Guo Cai：When Mama’s Home-cooked Meal meets 21st Century Corporate Management

Experiencing the best of world gourmet food is a luxury but there’s nothing like Mom’s cooking that will always make you craving for more! Starting in 1959 Mama Chen began selling her special home-cooked meal from Yunnan province. At that time she was living in a military housing project and working as a street vendor in Tao-Yuan. Until 10 years ago He Feng Zhong Guo Cai was finally established in Taipei, looking to serve more a broader range of customers.

Even though the current state of the local economy is not well He Feng has continued to prosper at a steady pace. More and more customers visit this cozy restaurant located in an alley simply by word of mouth. From the beginning, Nancy, who is in charge of management, built a solid foundation for He Feng based on innovative and creative ideas. First, knowing food business is a worthy long-term investment; she along with two other designers created the company logo and outlined the décor of the restaurant space. She aimed to revamp the image of Chinese restaurant and establish the next generation of modern Chinese cuisine. Second, no additive such as monosodium glutamate ﹙also known as MSG﹚will be used in He Feng’s dishes. This is a bold movement in the Chinese cuisine industry but it also earned much praises and admiration from consumers. In addition choosing natural rock salt from Utah, U.S.A. to replace regular salt may add more cost but it can ensure healthier dishes. Most importantly Nancy buys locally-grown food. Pork, poultry and shrimp come from non-toxic and non-pollution certified farms. That way it caters to the notion of a healthy diet and also helps save the environment.

Yunnan style peas jelly with sauce ﹙NT160﹚is what made Mama Chen’s cooking an overnight sensation. It is a seemingly simple food but it is the remedy for homesickness. Boiled salted chicken ﹙NT280﹚is chicken thighs only and it is moist, tender and flavorful. This dish is a crowd pleaser! Yunnan style roasted beef ﹙NT380﹚uses U.S. beef and it make you want to ask for a take-out order when you finish the first serving!

Every fresh ingredient has an expiration date. In order to prolong the best taste and savor of fresh food, He Feng purchased 10 food dehydrators to preserve pineapples and tomatoes. That explains why the pineapples in deep fried pork with sweet & sour sauce ﹙NT280﹚are always sweet and tomatoes in scrambled eggs with tomatoes ﹙NT220﹚are plump and will never splatter over the table! It’s worth noting that stir-fried noodles with shrimp in shrimp sauce ﹙NT420﹚doesn’t have that usual fishy smell of shrimp paste. Instead it comes with the freshness of real shrimp because the shrimp paste is made from fresh shrimps that have been dehydrated.

Nancy firmly believes that gourmet cuisine should be paired up with excellent service. While dining at He Feng you’ll notice that every service person is pleasant and personable and restrooms are elegantly decorated. Little details as such will make customers feel touched. For family gathering or business occasions He Feng prides itself with the best quality of service and provides the most delicious Yunnan cuisine. For group dining, be sure to ask for the set menu that will give you the best value for your money!

荷風中國菜：當媽媽的好手藝遇上21世紀企業經營

即使吃遍山珍海味，最令人回味的還是媽媽的好手藝！從民國四十八年起，陳媽媽在桃園平鎮龍崗的忠貞新村開始賣拿手的家鄉菜–雲南小吃；終於在十年前於台北市成立荷風中國菜，讓更多的饕客大飽口福！

儘管大環境的景氣普遍不佳，荷風持續穩定成長，位於巷子裡，上門的客人依然絡繹不絕！多年前，負責經營的張仁馨以創新的理念奠定荷風的基礎；首先，深信這是一個值得長期經營的事業，與專業設計師共同打造企業形象和餐廳空間，建立新一代的中式餐廳；其次，堅持絕不放味精，這項創舉在中式餐飲引起軒然大波，但也因此贏得消費者的讚賞！再者，以美國猶他州的天然岩鹽取代一般食用鹽，雖然成本提高，上桌的每一道菜也更健康！更重要是選用優良的本地食材，豬肉、雞肉和鮮蝦都是來自政府認證的無毒和零污染的養殖場，既符合現代人養生的觀念，也達到節能減碳的環保訴求。

當年讓陳媽媽一舉成功的就是這碗雲南豌豆粉﹙160元﹚，看似簡易不過的家鄉菜，讓思鄉的遊子得到莫大的滿足！精緻鹽焗雞﹙280元﹚採用雞腿肉，皮薄肉甜，是大人小孩都愛的開胃菜！雲南酸筍燜牛肉﹙380元﹚是美國菲力牛肉，吃完會想再打包一份回家。

再新鮮的食材都有保存期限，為了延續食材的最佳美味，荷風添購十台食物風乾機，將鳳梨和蕃茄風乾，因此荷風咕咾肉﹙280元﹚的鳳梨永遠是甜的，而蕃茄炒蛋﹙220元﹚的蕃茄是完整卻不會噴汁的！最值得一提的是荷風蝦醬鮮蝦麵﹙420元﹚使用新鮮的蝦子風乾而成的自製蝦醬，少了一般蝦醬的腥味，多了自然風味的鮮美。

張仁馨相信好吃的美食也必須搭配精緻的服務。荷風的服務人員永遠是滿臉笑容，小細節如佈置典雅的洗手間都讓客人非常窩心。無論是家庭聚會或是商務宴客，荷風以真誠的心意服務，提供美味的雲南小吃，多人用餐時，記得尋問各式套餐的內容，以最優惠的價格得到最頂級的享受！

Real Taste 原味

Real Taste 原味
Hours / 營業時間
Closed Sundays / Monday to Saturday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm；
週日公休 / 週一至週六 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
02-2713-5555
1F No.7 Lane 6 Alley 113 Section 3 Min-Sheng East Road Taipei
台北市民生東路三段113巷6弄7號一樓
Credit Cards Accepted / No Service Charge 可刷卡 / 無服務費
www.realtaste.com.tw

In Taiwan the population who relies on eating out continues to grow and consumers are becoming more health conscious. A delicious bento box with only natural ingredients is finally introduced! The general manager of Real Taste, Mr. Chong Kun-chi believes that natural fresh ingredients are tasty as the way they are and a healthy diet can be undermined by overly-processed foods. Therefore nothing is deep-fried at Real Taste and no monosodium glutamate ﹙also known as MSG﹚will be added. With such a healthy approach Real Taste received overwhelming feedbacks from the beginning. Every ingredient is either certified organic or grown in non-toxic and non-contaminated environment. Mr. Chong visits each place of production to ensure safety. He prepares food with the simplest method and uses rock salt from the Himalayas. Every bite gives you the most original real good taste!

Every bento box comes with five basics, from pickles, appetizer, steamed vegetable, egg and tofu and the flavors vary everyday. The main dish is served over a bed of whole grain rice. The newest bento box is braised ribs ﹙NT125﹚and the meat is tender and not greasy at all. For vegetarians wild mushrooms bento box ﹙NT100﹚has fewer calories but can satisfy every woman’s appetite. Kong-Bao chicken ﹙NT100﹚and teriyaki fish ﹙NT150﹚are still tasty even when they’re served after being set aside ‘till cold.

Due to the rarity of the ingredients used in bento box, Real Taste can only produce limited amount daily and therefore it’s best to call in advance. For delivery please submit your order of 10 or more by fax.

台灣外食族的人口不斷成長，而消費者重視健康的意識也逐漸高漲，終於有業者推出美味與天然食材結合的便當！原味的總經理鍾坤志認為，天然新鮮食材不需要過度料理，所以絕不油炸，更不必添加味精，因此自一開始就受到消費者的熱烈迴響。他不但要求原味提供的食材都要有生產履歷或無汙染、無毒、有機等合格證明，而且親自拜訪產地，更使用來自喜馬拉雅山的手採天然岩鹽，用最簡單的方式料理食物，每一口都吃到最原始的美味。

每個便當都有五樣基本配菜，醃漬物、小菜、川燙青菜、蛋類和豆腐，每天變換口味；再加上紫米、白米和十穀米組成的健康米飯搭配不同的主菜。最新推出的蔥燒子排便當﹙125元﹚的肉質甜美卻不油膩，吃素者最愛的野菇蓋飯﹙100元﹚卡路里很少卻讓女性消費者吃得飽，宮保雞丁便當﹙100元﹚和照燒魚便當﹙150元﹚即使放置到冷，還是很好吃！

原味的便當每天限量生產，如果沒有事先預訂，很容易空手而歸，歡迎公司行號多加利用傳真訂購外送服務。

2009生肖運勢(鼠牛虎兔龍蛇馬羊)

鼠

好！鼠人今年將會是幸運和成功的一年！你可以得到工作上巨大的成功,1948年 出生的鼠人尤甚，可能會升職。鼠人，尤其是鼠女，今年均可以突破所有阻礙而達致成功及得到名譽。已婚的鼠女，你可以協助你丈夫的事業。假如你得到他人的幫助，你便會做得更好。鼠人天生可以在群眾中表現更佳。

工作：
今年將會有很多機會讓你發揮你的才能及超越其他人，尤其1948年生的鼠。而1960年生的鼠人，今年也是事業幸運的一年。所有事情均可如你計劃中進行，假如你願意放下你過份的尊嚴，去求助他人及留意他人的意見，那你的夢想也可實現。1984年生的鼠人，你的師長會很滿意你的表現。請賺虛些，尤其是鼠男！

財運：
今年唯一差勁的是你的財運。因為你在工作及愛情上做得很好，你會不停地花費、花費、花費！
請控制你的揮霍， 為未來儲些錢。1936年出生的鼠人更應留意你的預算及投資。鼠人今年宜短線投資，獲利會比長線為佳。

健康：
一些持續了很久的病會痊癒。鼠人應小心飲食及留意肝臟及腎臟，尤其1924及1972年生的鼠人。

愛情及家庭：
已婚的鼠人會享受到親密及愉快的婚姻生活。單身的鼠人，尤其是1960及1972年生的鼠人，今年將會有很多追求者出現。 接近年尾時是適合結婚的好時候。但切忌心急，遲些與合適的人結合比早些與不合適的人結合好得多！1924年出生的鼠人，今年你可能會感到孤單，你可以多找你的朋友及家人傾訴， 不要感到不好意思！

合襯生肖：牛、龍、猴
不合生肖：馬
合拍伙伴：龍、牛

牛

今年牛人的固執可派上用途了，今年你會有頗多的障礙，你的頑固可解決這些阻礙，尤其是1961年生的牛人。 請你耐心等待適合的時間，總比心急好。關心家人及享受他們給你的支持，這有助你排除困難。
你的朋友可助你減壓。多些聽取年長者的說話，會帶給你好運， 尤其是1937年生的牛人。

工作：
做生意時要加倍小心。不要給別人太大壓力，不要令自己卷入是非中。1937年生的牛人今年在工作上有不少阻礙，宜堅付原位，不要作出改動。1949年生的牛人，結識新朋友會帶給你好運。

財運：
今年財運不佳，1925年生的牛人除外，你今年會是順暢的一年。牛人今年應避免賭博，不要借錢給別人，會令你出現赤字。1937年生的牛人不宜搬屋或大事改動房屋。1925年生的牛人不要聽信謠言！

健康：
今年牛人要小心身體，今年不宜作飛行活動及賽車。小心腸胃毛病。小心個人安全及意外。年輕的牛人請留心家中年長者的健康。

愛情及家庭：
單身的牛人今年會有愉快的愛情生活，尤其是1973年生的牛人,但你必須要嘗過一些苦才可得到快樂。你要對你的愛人忠誠及認真，才可嬴得他的心。已婚的牛人今年不太幸運，你很容易與伴侶吵架，請和氣地說話，不要用審問的口吻。

合襯生肖：雞、蛇、鼠
不合生肖：羊、兔
合拍伙伴：雞

虎

今年是不錯的一年。上半年沒有什麼進展及刺激，但下半年便好轉，尤其是1974年生的虎人。年輕的虎人在學業上會做得頗佳，如遇上新戀情， 不要過份緊張。真命天子會在適當的時候出現。虎女今年特別好運，家中會有喜事。

工作：
對於從商及在學的虎人，今年是順暢的一年，尤其是1926、1938及1986年生的虎人。如你按部就班去做，進展便會很穩定。1962年生的虎人，所有事情都發展順利，而且得到突出的回報。應避免過長的工作時間。

財運：
金錢來自穩定的收入，不要寄望有太多金錢來自其他途徑。1950年生的虎人要特別小
心被騙。1938年生的虎人不要賭博，把你的金錢花在你的愛人身上吧！

健康：
今年會病，多休息及多喝水會助你快些痊癒。如要往外地，請小心個人健康及安全，尤其是1938年生的虎人。而1986年生的虎人身體也不太好。

愛情及家庭：
單身的虎人會有不少浪漫事。1974年生的虎人會遇上未來的另一半。1926年生的虎人，你須知道現在的年輕人與以往的不同，明白他們的想法吧！

合襯生肖：馬、狗、豬、蛇
不合生肖：猴
合拍伙伴：馬

兔

兔人今年的運程會有起有跌，尤其是1939年生的兔人。你會感到有很多限制及很少機會讓你把主意變成行動。1963及1975年生的兔人請三思而後行，作任何行動前必須小心考慮清楚。下半年兔人的運程會好轉，你可以做得好些。兔人今年宜按部就班。小心那些暗地會傷害你的朋友。今年你會與家人發生爭執。

工作：
年初會感到不愉快，但很快便會好轉。1975年生的兔人會有升職的機會。假如有開創新事業的諗頭，事前必須有周詳的計劃才可進行，不可倉促行事。 今年你的努力及決定將會得到回報。1975年生的兔人今年宜外遊、進修或海外工幹，你更會有升職的機會。1987年生的兔人今年要努力讀書，才可得到好成績。

財運：
今年不宜高風險投資及賭博，尤其是1951年生的兔人。你會感到所有事情均不依照你的計劃行事，當你遇到困難時請保持冷靜，才可渡過。緊記不要把所有雞蛋放在同一
個籃子內。

健康：
多些休息。兔人今年會情緒低落，請與你的家人分享或分擔你的感受。1927年生的兔人請縮短你的工作時間。1939年生的兔人小心意外。

愛情及家庭：
已婚的兔人可與伴侶享受穩定的關係。單身的兔人會有很多機會遇上志趣相投的朋友，或許會發展成為密友關係， 但請小心這段關係可能很快便完結。 年輕的兔女會遇上有機會發展的異性。

合襯生肖：羊、狗、豬、蛇
不合生肖：雞
合拍伙伴：羊、豬

龍

好消息！今年你的運程會提升及轉趨穩定。幸運星全年都會照著你，令你的計劃進行順利。家庭和諧，尤其是1928年生的龍人，你會受到晚輩的尊敬。1988年生的年輕龍人會得到好的學業成績。唯一例外的是1952年生的龍人，今年運程會有起有跌。 你會受到情緒影響下沉迷賭博。請三思，為長遠計劃，作出明智的決定。

工作：
上半年會有很多機會發展，請小心運用。今年宜與跟你做同一行業的人合作，會給你
帶來收益。1988年生的年輕龍人，你的老師會很留心照顧你，你必須懂得控制你的脾氣。同學的幫助會給你帶來無價的收獲，令你全年都幸運。

財運：
今年比去年好。1964年生的受薪龍人會於今年升職。1952年生的龍人要避免賭博及高
風險投資。1940年生的龍人要小心防盜。

健康：
不太差的一年，尤其是1964年生的龍人。患有慢性疾病的龍人今年可能會迅速痊癒。年輕的龍人今年不要太多野外活動。

愛情及家庭：
單身的龍人今年會受大眾歡迎。1976年生的龍人會有戀情開花。但不要太盲目去愛，尤其是1940年生的龍人。 你的關係會很複雜，請小心選擇。1964年生的龍人可享受愉快的家庭生活。

合襯生肖：猴、蛇、雞、豬
不合生肖：狗
合拍伙伴：猴、蛇、雞

蛇

今年比去年好。1977年生的蛇人可化解任何阻礙。 假如你努力工作，接受新情況，你便可到達工作上的新頂峰。今年蛇人與同事、家人及鄰居關係不佳，特別是1941年生的蛇人，但這與你的財運成反比。

工作：
今年不宜轉工或創業。小心不要花費過量。蛇人今年會有很多壓力，1965年生的除外，你的工作在你控制下做得很好，而且得到回報。 一些商業秘密可助你發展事業，請保守這些秘密。1989年生的年輕蛇人今年缺乏集中力，不想讀書，可找同學幫忙。

財運：
今年收入穩定。1929年生的蛇人卻不太幸運，會在金錢上有爭拗及矛盾。1941年生的蛇人請小心家中發生火災及盜竊。

健康：
過量的工作及壓力會使你失眠及患上心臟毛病，尤其是蛇男。小心飲食及多作運動，特別是那些幫助放鬆身心的運動，例如太極，可幫助你的健康。1953年生的蛇人今年健康良好。

愛情及家庭：
已婚的蛇人今年與伴侶關係穩定，而且有親密的家庭生活。單身的蛇人今年會遇到一半！ 你必須記著保持冷靜，尤其是當出現競爭者時，否則戀情便不能長久。

合襯生肖：雞、狗、牛、虎
不合生肖：豬
合拍伙伴：雞

馬

今年會是幸運的一年。1978年生的馬人年初會有一些困難，但最終都會得以解決。聰明的馬人有時會自大狂妄。1966年生的馬人做事不要太心急，慢慢來，在 頭半年打好基礎，下半年你的運程便會提升。1942年生的馬人會得到好消息，今年可以實踐長線計劃，令你夢想成真！

工作：
開始時發展得比較慢，但只要你努力及堅毅不屈便可解決一些短暫的問題。1990年生的馬人可以在學業上做得好。1954年生的馬人，生意會突然很好，但要聽取有經驗及專業人士的意見。

財運：
1942年生的馬人會在投資上獲利。但1930年生的馬人要小心支出，因為你今年財政不
太充裕。1954年生的馬人在年尾可能會遇到金錢上的損失，不要把自己的財富暴露，小心被劫。

健康：
平常喜歡吃零食的馬人今年會傾向暴飲暴食。雖然你今年的健康頗佳，但請選擇健康的食品，否則你將會變成一隻肥驢，而不是俊馬！1954年生的馬人不要飲酒過量。

愛情及家庭：
已婚的馬人今年與伴侶關係和諧，1930年生的馬人今年家中會有喜事發生。單身 的馬人會有不少機會結識新朋友。1978年生的馬人戀愛會於今年發生！今年更是未婚馬人結婚的好時年。

合襯生肖：狗、羊、雞
不合生肖：猴
合拍伙伴：雞、狗

羊

年初對羊人來說並不十分好，但不會氣餒，順利及穩定的運程將會隨即而來。1967年生的羊人會是今年最好運的羊人，今年會是你快樂的一年。今年羊男會感到來自大量工作及家庭的壓力。羊女今年則是成功的一年。未婚的羊女，今年你的愛情運很好，會是浪漫和甜蜜的。

工作：
工作量增加及沉重的責任會帶給羊人壓力和焦慮，尤其是羊男。已婚的羊女如往海外工作會帶來好的前途。 今年全年都會有很多困難，就算你非常努力都未必可以解決，但請你耐心等候，成功會在適當時候出現。1979年生的羊人，努力工作便可得到意想不到的成績。1943年生的羊人，海外會有很多工作機會。

財運：
財運平平。不要賭博及參與高風險投資，尤其是1955年生的羊人。1943年生的羊人會有幸運的財運，今年會是你豐收的一年。

健康：
避免到一些環境污染的地方。1931年生的羊人要小心頭痛，鼻及肝的毛病。留心飲食，食物中毒會引致嚴重的腸胃病。1991年生的羊人請小心利器及水災。

愛情及家庭：
已婚的羊人今年會常因小事爭吵。單身的羊人今年會有很多機會發展新的浪漫戀情。1979年生的單身羊人要耐心等候你合適的伴侶出現。

合襯生肖：馬、豬、兔
不合生肖：牛
合拍伙伴：兔、羊

DV8 in Taipei

DV8
Hours / 營業時間
Daily 7:30 pm – 3:00 am；每天 7:30 pm – 3:00 am
02-2733-9039
No.385 Section 2 Fu-Xing South Road Taipei 台北市復興南路二段385號
Credit Cards Accepted / No Service Charge 可刷卡 / 無服務費

DV8：Good ol’ American dive bar with beer, sports channels and snacks

Years ago when I first moved from San Francisco to Taipei a friend from the U.S. took me out for a drink. It was a place called DV8 on Jin-hua Street. I thought to myself, what a coincident! I used to frequent a club in San Francisco during my college years and it’s also named DV8. I wondered if these two establishments are somehow related. Once I went inside and I was amazed by the similarities: both places offered variety of beer, the TV hanging from the ceiling is always tuned into sports channels and Happy Hour is a daily ritual with free snacks.

This past July someone finally answered my inquiry in regard to DV8 and it’s the sole owner of DV8. The story goes back to 20 years ago when Michelle was encouraged by friends to open a bar of her own. One of her friends who helped her setting up DV8 and later became in charge of the music was a young man from San Francisco. He suggested the place to be model and named after the most popular club of his hometown. Therefore everything inside of DV8 was the same as the one in San Francisco!

18 months ago Michelle closed DV8, sold the store front and started travelling abroad. When she came home, a dilemma occurred: she didn’t know where to go if she felt like getting a drink with people who became good friends with her through DV8. Everyone would come to DV8 for drinks, light supper or just catching up with each other. Michelle missed her friends and all the happy moments they shared and decided to bring back DV8, except for this time it’s located on Fu-Xing south road adjacent to the back door of Taiwan University.

The new DV8 is very much the same as the previous one. Drink list and menu are written by chalk on the wall above the bar. That has always been the characteristic of DV8. And all the walls inside of DV8 are reserved for graffiti: apparently customers like to doodle when they come to DV8. Michelle is still one sexy lady and doesn’t seem to age at all. She’s very proud of the fact that over the years many interracial marriages occurred at DV8 and a lot of couples would bring their significant others to DV8 to commemorate wedding anniversaries or the day they first laid eyes on each other.

Long Island ice tea ﹙NT300﹚ is DV8’s signature mixed drink and Michelle has a secret recipe that makes this drink smooth and full of kicks! When you’re in the mood for snacks, you may choose any flavor of handmade pizza to satisfy your taste bud. If you’re indecisive, go for beef pizza﹙NT250﹚which is the most requested flavor so far. Nachos ﹙NT200﹚with chef Michael’s homemade salsa is the must have item for foreign customers and locals alike!

Wine lovers watch out because every Thursday night is red wine night ﹙NT100 / glass; NT600 / bottle﹚. And let’s not forget the daily happy hour is from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ﹙draft beer NT100; cocktails & whisky are half off﹚.

The regulars feel right at home when they’re at DV8. People have drinks together, shoot darts and chitchat with each other. Some come as often as 3 or 4 times a week because DV8 is a second home for all of them.

DV8：啤酒、運動頻道和下酒菜缺一不可的美式酒吧

當我從舊金山搬回台北時，某天晚上一位美國籍的朋友帶我去金華街的一個酒吧，招牌寫著：DV8。真巧，我住在舊金山時常和朋友去玩的地方也叫DV8，而當我在台北看到一模一樣的名字時，我不禁納悶，他們之間是否有關連？進去之後大吃一驚，眼前所見和我在舊金山所見非常相似，不但啤酒的選擇多樣化，牆上的電視永遠鎖定在運動球賽頻道，每天固定有歡樂優惠時段，並提供免費的下酒菜。

今年七月初，終於有專人為我解答。20多前Michelle在朋友的鼓勵之下，決定自己開一家酒吧；當時協助她的朋友之一，同時也是店內放音樂的DJ，是個來自舊金山的年輕人，建議以他的家鄉最熱門的酒吧DV8為藍圖，在台北也打造一個，因此連店名都直接沿襲靈感的來源。

Michelle在一年半前轉手賣掉金華街的店面，但是當她想找以前店內的常客、如今成為好朋友一起聚會時，卻不知道該上那兒去？因為太懷念以前的快樂時光，她重做馮婦，於接近台灣大學後門的復興南路重新打造DV8。

酒單、菜單通通寫在酒吧上的牆壁是DV8的風格，店內牆壁提供顧客塗鴉的習慣也不變，而歲月也沒有在性感火辣的Michelle身上留下足跡。最令Michelle得意的是，這些年來DV8湊成非常多對的異國聯姻，客人會帶著自己的另一半到DV8慶祝結婚週年慶、甚至是當年第一次見面的紀念日！

DV8的招牌調酒是長島冰茶﹙300元﹚，Michelle的配方的確不同，喝起來很順口，但是後勁依然很強！肚子餓了，點一客手工披薩，口味選擇多重，牛肉披薩﹙250元﹚是最受歡迎的！而下酒菜以墨西哥烤乾酪玉米片﹙200元﹚搭配廚師Michael的獨門莎莎醬是中外客人必點的！

喜愛喝紅酒的朋友記得每週四是屬於你的日子！整晚享有DV8紅酒一杯100元﹙整瓶600元﹚的優惠；而每天7:30 pm – 9:30 pm都是歡樂優惠時段，生啤酒一杯100元，所有威士忌和調酒以半價招待。

DV8的客人把這裡像自家的客廳，大家一起喝啤酒、射飛鑣，和Michelle閒話家常，不少客人一週有三、四個晚上都在這裡，因為DV8是所有人共同擁有的第二個家！

National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院

Profile 小檔案
National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院
Hours / 營業時間
Main Building 9 am to 5 pm daily; Free admission on Saturday from 5 pm to 8:30 pm
正館 每天 9 am - 5 pm；週六免費參觀時段 5 pm - 8:30 pm
Admission / 票價
General admission NT160；Group admission NT120 ﹙10 people or more; including audio unit rental﹚；Student admission NT80
一般參觀卷 160元；團體參觀卷 120元﹙十人以上；包含團體語音導覽系統﹚；
學生優惠卷80元
No.221 Section 2 Chi-Shan Road Shih-Lin District (11143)
台北市士林區至善路二段221號(11143)
Transportation / 交通
Take MRT Danshui Line to Shin-lin Station and transfer bus R30 (Red 30) to the National Palace Museum；Also bus 255, 304, Minibus 18 and Minibus 19 can drop off in front of the Museum plaza.
搭乘捷運淡水線至士林站下車，轉乘公車紅30往故宮博物院至門口下車。或轉乘公車 255 、 304 、
小型公車18、小型公車19於大門廣場前下車。
2881-2021
www.npm.gov.tw

National Palace Museum: Resurrection of Thousand-year-old Chinese artifacts

When I was little National Palace Museum ﹙NPM﹚ to me was a mysterious and distant place. School field trips often took place at NPM and we would spend a whole day in it. But I never knew how to appreciate the beauty of Chinese artifacts and wondered why school principals insisted on bringing us here. At the time it seemed like NPM was far away from downtown Taipei because the bus ride was grueling. Every time when school teachers planned to take us to NPM I thought about faking a stomach ache and calling in sick to get out of school field trip day.

When MRT Danshui line in Taipei was completed, going from downtown to the NPM seemed easier than ever before. I realized that its location is not in faraway places as I imagined. Thanks to the speedy MRT service, the total number of visitors every year at NPM has been growing rapidly, bringing Taiwan nationals as well as foreign tourists to this magnificent museum. NPM, well known as one of the top four museums in the world, aims to revamp its image in the 21st century and reach out to those who have never been to NPM, locals and foreign alike. By word of mouth perhaps the national treasures at NPM will travel with foreign tourists back to their home countries and be well-known throughout every planet on earth.

Children’s Galley：Miniature-size NPM designed for children only

Children’s galley was opened on May 18th this year. And it is designed for children between the ages of 7 to 12. The main purpose is to provide advanced tour guidance which can help students to understand the historical backgrounds on cultural artifacts before entering the main exhibition building. Within the last few months since its opening the number of visitors has exceeded expectations. The galley is roughly about 4,320 square feet and it has crowded as many as 400 visitors in one day. During this summer, the number of students visiting children’s gallery is increasing steadily. Children’s galley is located in the west wing of the basement of the main building and it is free of charge. However, parents or teachers must be present when their children enter the children’s gallery, assisting the youngsters to developed interests in the national treasures at NPM and lead to better understand the history and background stories behind Chinese artifacts.

Children’s gallery is open during NPM business hours except for Wednesday afternoons. Each tour is about 50 minutes long. There are set schedules for individual tours and group tours. It is advised to make a reservation 7 days in advance﹙02-2881-2021 Ext. 2851﹚for a group of 10 and above, no more than 60 people in one setting and there is no group tour taking place during the weekends.

Since children’s gallery was established, kids who come visit NPM will no longer feel bored or lost when going through exhibition of Chinese art works. They will learn much about the profound meaning behind each cultural object. In Taiwan’s mandatory 9-year schooling system part of the curriculums is art, humanity and culture. The purpose of such classes is to encourage students to be closer to art which coincides with the mission statement of children’s gallery. The beauty of children’s gallery is to turn your ordinary art appreciation class into something fun and exciting. School teachers are welcome to bring students to children’s gallery and NPM on field trips. The abundant treasures and the rich history of Chinese ancestors are the best class material!

3D animated short film “Adventures in the NPM” brings ancient artifacts to the silver screen

Inside Children’s gallery there is a circular multi-purpose theater where kids can enjoy stage performances as well as 3D animation films “Adventures in the NPM” which is available in Mandarin, English and Japanese dubbing. It’s interesting that after watching the animation film many children would request to tour through the exhibition building, looking for the Chinese masterpiece appearing in the film. The legendary Jadeite cabbage with the insects, jade duck and pillow in the shape of a child are often sought after each screening.

NPM collaborated with international renowned animation artists and spent one year to produce “Adventures in the NPM”. All the efforts paid off earlier this year when the animation short film received the first place award in the Tokyo International animation film festival. It goes to show that NPM’s digitization projects are moving in the right direction. Recently NPM aims to move digitization plans up a notch by working with Taiwan Public Television Service. The second season of “Journey through the Palace Museum” was recently premiered by introducing cultural artifacts with animations and splendid visual footages. All eyes are on the famous hand scroll “Along the River during the Ch'ing-ming Festival” because it took nearly three years to complete the 4D animation, showing what everyday life was like in ancient China. This is absolutely fascinating and will draw attention from school children to working adults.

Free admission every Saturday night

Beginning in March 2008 NPM extended business hours to 8:30 PM. Whether you’re a Taiwan national or a foreign tourist you’re most welcome to visit for free courtesy of NPM. In fact the plan to extend evening hours was implemented last July and the feedbacks were overwhelming. At that time various outdoor activities and special exhibitions also took place during the extended evening hours on Saturdays. NPM is closed after 5 PM on most days and you will hardly see anyone walking around NPM. Now that NPM is open on Saturday night, it has immediately become the hottest night spot in town. Strolling through the NPM plaza is the newest favorite pastime among students, three-generation families and couples in Taipei.

NPM collaborations with international design house ALESSI

Three years ago NPM searched for ideas of its own mascot. By fate Italian design brand ALESSI came along and the two hit it all. In May 2007 the launch of “the Chin Family” became a sensation overnight and was quickly sold out at most retail outlets. The main reason is that eastern cultural icons were given a new life and transformed to be fun and adorable after being re-designed by international design house. The inspiration originated from a portrait of Emperor Chien-Lung from his younger days. The Chin Family has a series of merchandises, including keychain (990NT) which is more affordable and is quite popular among the youngsters. Salt & pepper bottles of Mr. Chin & Mrs. Chin (limited edition 2,600NT) ranks high on the collectable items among other luxurious household goods.

Thanks to ALESSI worldwide distribution up to 5,000 retail stores “the Chin Family” collection not only brought NPM to the world but also strengthened its branding. On the packaging of each product you’ll find the logo of NPM. Inside the box there is a brief brochure with information about NPM. For those “The Chin Family” collectors they will learn about NPM and perhaps one day visit the museum. The greatest thing about this collaboration with ALESSI is that the image of NPM is more internationalized than ever before! The success of “the Chin Family” accelerated the next collection series. This past June a new series called “Orientales” was launched with much anticipations. One major difference between “the Chin Family” and “Orientales” is that the design concept. “Orientales” is based on the idea of where west meets east, using western ideology to interpret eastern culture. ALESSI’s top designer Stefano Giovannoni brought Asian mascot monkey and monkey’s favorite fruit peach to be incorporated with western cartoon and fairytale. The outcome is extraordinary.

Next time when you’re in NPM you may visit the gift shop in the basement of the main building. As soon as you enter the shop you’ll find “the Chin Family” and “Orientales” collections. It might be more fun to appreciate them as art works. If that is not enough, there are two wooden human-sizes Mr. Chin standing by the entrance. This has become the newest hot spot for picture taking inside of NPM.

You may browse through the national treasures at world’s end

During the process of covering the story of NPM I finally realize what that saying “old is new” really means. NPM has gone through a series of major renovations in recent years and the new NPM is so bright and chic. The floor plan is designed with a human touch and the exhibitions are easily accessible. Some may have noticed that the official website of NPM is available in nine different languages, presenting all the treasures for the world to see. The ambition to internationalize NPM is very obvious. There is a section called NPM e-Learning, offering online art courses and the subjects covering from Chinese ancient bronzes, ceramics, and paintings to calligraphy. This year a new course on Chinese jade will be added to NPM’s online learning center. NPM e-Learning is extremely helpful to me since I know very little about Chinese artifacts but would love to study more about my own culture. Last but not least, if you would like to stroll through the exhibitions without stepping into NPM the digital museum is only one click away. When old cultural treasures meet 21st century technology, what we have is infinite opportunities to the roots of Chinese civilization!

國立故宮博物院：千年國寶變年輕了

自我有印象以來，國立故宮博物院就是個神秘而且遙不可及的地方，因為在小學時期常有戶外教學，但是我每次都是有看沒有懂，不知道如何去欣賞中華文物的美，搞不懂校長為什麼堅持要帶我們來參觀；再加上路途遙遠，每次一想到要去故宮博物院，就想假裝肚子痛，偷偷跟老師請病假。

當台北淡水線捷運完工之後，我才發現其實故宮沒有我想像的遙遠，便捷的大眾交通運輸帶來更多的參訪者與觀光客。然而邁入二十一世紀之後，名列世界四大博物館之一的國立故宮博物院積極的求新求變，希望打動更多未曾到過故宮的國人接近中華典藏，也期待國際觀光客到此一遊，將故宮的美傳達到世界各個角落。

「兒童學藝中心」：為兒童設計的迷你版故宮博物院

今年五月份才成立的兒童學藝中心，是專門為了七歲到十二歲的學齡兒童所規劃的，目的是提供簡易明瞭的導讀，讓學生在進入正館參觀之前有所準備。短短幾個月以來，參訪的人數超乎預期，120坪的空間一天曾經出現高達四百人，尤其今年暑假參訪人數不斷成長。兒童學藝中心位在正館地下一樓的西側，免費參觀，但是家長或老師必須陪同參觀，讓小朋友藉由多媒體的影片、互動區展示內容和環形劇場，對故宮博物院收藏文物產生興趣，進而了解中國古代文物歷史及其背景。

除了週三下午休館，兒童學藝中心的開放時間和正館一致。每個參觀時段大約五十分鐘，導覽分個人和團體兩組，週末只保留給個人參觀，而團體參觀必須提早七天前預約﹙02-2881-2021分機2851﹚，至少十人以上，最多不超過六十人。

因為兒童學藝中心的誕生，讓學童不再覺得故宮博物院是個枯燥無味的地方，以生動活潑的方式去探索文物的奧妙。台灣教育部目前實施的九年一貫課程中有一科為藝術與人文，目的是希望引導學生主動接近藝術；而兒童學藝中心的成立也讓美學教育動態化，歡迎學校團體帶學生到故宮博物院走一趟，其中典藏的珍貴文物足以讓老師講一千零一夜也說不盡！

3D動畫影片「國寶總動員」讓古代文物登上螢光幕，活靈活現

兒童學藝中心有個多功能的環形劇場，這裡除了有話劇表演，動畫影片「國寶總動員」固定在此播放，有中文、英文和日文三種配音的版本，有趣的是很多學童看完動畫影片後，會主動要求到正館內尋找影片主角的本尊，例如翠玉白菜、嬰兒枕和玉鴨等。

故宮與國際知名動畫團隊合作，費時一年製作的「國寶總動員」在今年得到東京國際動畫影展首獎的肯定，證明故宮文物數位化的成績是有目共睹！故宮為了精益求精，讓文物數位計畫更上一層樓，與公視合作，最新推出的「故宮奇航」第二季以有趣的動畫和豐富的想像畫面介紹文物，其中以耗費三年製作的「清明上河圖」最受注目，古代生活以4D電影呈現，大人小孩都覺得有趣極了！

週六夜間開放免費參觀

自今年三月起，每週六晚間營業時間延長到晚上八點三十分，無論是本國人或是外國觀光客都可以到故宮博物院免費參觀。其實去年七月故宮首度於週末夜間開館，反應非常熱烈，當時也針對季節推出各式各樣的活動和特展，原本傍晚五點打烊之後就人煙稀少的故宮，因此成了台北市週六晚間的最新發燒據點，隨處可見學生族群、三代同堂家庭和情侶檔穿梭在展覽之中。

故宮與國際精品設計品牌繼「清宮家族」再度合作推出「東方傳說」

三年前故宮在計畫製作代表故宮的吉祥物時，因緣際會認識義大利設計品牌ALESSI，雙方持有高度的合作意願，一拍即合，於去年五月推出「清宮家族」，造成一波前所未有的搶購風潮。最主要的原因是東方文物在經過國際品牌重新設計之後，變得趣味可愛，發想自乾隆皇帝年輕時畫像的「清宮家族」系列中，價位平易近人的鑰匙圈﹙990元﹚很受年輕人的喜愛，限量版的清先生清太太椒鹽罐﹙2,600元﹚也成為ALESSI收藏家詢問最高的家用精品之一！

「清宮家族」系列產品在全球將近五千個ALESSI的經銷點露出後，大大提高故宮博物院在全世界上的能見度，登上國際舞台。每一樣商品包裝背後都有印著故宮註冊商標，內附有故宮的介紹，也許「清宮家族」的熱愛者有一天會尋根到故宮，親自登門拜訪。藉由與ALESSI的合作，故宮的形象更國際化，也因去年「清宮家族」系列熱烈空前的迴響，今年六月雙方再度合作，推出「東方傳說」。與「清宮家族」不同的是，「東方傳說」概念來自當西方遇見東方，以西方的角度詮釋東方文化，向來是吉祥物的猴子和猴子最愛的水果桃子，在經過ALESSI設計名師吉歐凡諾尼的巧思設計，添加更多卡通和童話故事的特質。

下次造訪故宮博物院時， 不妨到展覽館地下一樓的禮品部，一進門就可看到「清宮家族」和「東方傳說」的系列商品，以欣賞藝術品的角度看待這些精品設計生活用品。如果還意猶未盡，在禮品部的入口兩側，有放置兩個大型的木製清先生，很多小朋友央求合照以留做紀念，據說這已經成為故宮的最新熱門景點！

無論身在天涯海角也能欣賞故宮的文物典藏

在這次採訪故宮博物院的過程當中，我發現它真的變年輕了，經過幾次的大型整建計畫，故宮變得明亮、時尚，不但在規劃上非常人性化，展覽的內容也越來越平易近人。也許大家並不知道，故宮的官方網站以九種語言呈現，積極國際化的野心非常明顯，將台北故宮的文物典藏帶到世界每一個角落！而其中有一頁內容引起我的注意，故宮e學園。這裡提供有關中國古代青銅器、陶瓷、繪畫、書法的線上學習課程，今年計畫新增中國玉器的認識課程，實在是太有趣了！數位學習對於中國文化一竅不通的我，真是一大福祉！如果你想看文物展覽卻不想親自走一趟故宮，可以直接上故宮的數位博物館，一覽中國文物之美！當古代文物碰上21世紀科技，我們得到的是無限的機會去尋找屬於世界文明的根源！

Foremost 福樂24餐飲

Foremost 福樂24餐飲
Hours / 營業時間
每天 7:30 am – 10:00 pm；Daily 7:30 am – 10:00 pm
02-2880-2896
1F No.115 Chung-cheng Road Shilin district Taipei ﹙MRT Shilin Station Exit 1 ﹚
台北市士林區中正路115號一樓 ﹙捷運士林站一號出口﹚
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費

The best memory from childhood：Foremost’s hamburger, rippled French fries and chocolate milk shake

I wonder if the fact that I’m getting older and my birthday is just around the corner, I’m feeling quite nostalgic these days. The other day I drove by Chung-cheng road in Shilin district and a restaurant by the name of Foremost 24 caught my attention. I was really psyched up because for years I thought this place was long gone!

My encounter with family-oriented American style restaurant started with Foremost at an early age. I remember clearly that the first time I had a hamburger was at Foremost. When I took the first bite, I immediately fell in love with that big fat juicy taste of the very thick burger patty. At that time American food was not readily available in Taiwan and this is before Uncle Mac arrived on the island. You could probably count with one hand how many places that offered western cuisine. That was an era when there were only 3 TV stations and 3 radio stations in Taiwan. Hamburgers, steaks, sandwiches, macaroni, ice cream and etc. were considered prime goods. Nowadays we can get any type of international cuisine in Taiwan and it’s hard to imagine that back in 1950s and 1960s Taiwan used to receive food aids from the U.S. The rumor has it that the establishment of Foremost has something to do with former Madame Chiang ﹙Soong May-Ling﹚. After she spent much of her youth studying in America and that’s how American food was introduced to her at the first place. In retrospect I loathed milk when I was little but I always loved chocolate milk from Foremost. And I recall that once I celebrated my birthday at Foremost with an ice cream birthday cake and from that day on ice cream became my all-time favorite food!

In the past 47 years of history Foremost went through many changes. When I was growing up in Taiwan our family would often visit Foremost on Dun-hua north road. That location is now occupied by a newer generation of American style restaurant. And Foremost currently is operating from its one and only location on Chung-cheng road. I was in the mood for childhood reminiscence and I brought myself back to Foremost after nearly 20 years. And I had one mission in mind: Deluxe double-deck cheese burger with bacon ﹙NT180﹚. This has to be one of the most valued burger in Taiwan! Judging from two decks of burger patties and bacons in-between three layers of hamburger buns I was not sure where to begin! The classic way to enjoy a hamburger is to pair it with a chocolate milk shake. In addition to running a restaurant Foremost also owns a brand under the same name, selling milk and ice cream. I was hoping to get a chocolate milk shake for old time’s sake but chocolate ice cream was out of stock. Neither vanilla nor strawberry flavors could perk up my interest and I ordered a coffee ice cream float ﹙NT145﹚instead.

In the old days steak was always served in a sizzling plate and now Foremost still carries on that tradition. U.S. top choice rib steak (NT425; including bread, salad buffet, soft drinks and ice cream) is big enough for two people to share. That way you’ll have room for lemon pie (NT78) and UFO cookie sundae (NT145) because that’s how we do it at Foremost!

童年最美好的回憶：到福樂吃漢堡、配波浪薯條和奶昔

不知道是否因為隨著年齡的增長，而且生日又快到了，對於童年往事我總是特別懷念！某天開車經過士林中正路時，偶然發現「福樂」，讓我雀躍不已，因為我以為它早已不存在了！

認識闔家歡樂的美式餐廳就是從福樂開始。我清楚記得，這輩子第一次吃漢堡就在福樂，。咬下第一口時，吃到多汁的厚片漢堡肉，我就深深的愛上那滋味。當年台灣並不興盛美式餐飲，麥叔叔也還沒登陸，供應西式餐飲的少之又少。在那個年代，台灣的電視台只有三家，廣播電台也只有三家，漢堡、牛排、三明治、通心麵和冰淇淋等等西方食物都是高級食品；如今台灣什麼都有，實在很難想像當年物質缺乏的光景。據說，福樂的成立和宋美齡有些關係，畢竟她也是到美國留學才有機會品嚐到西方食物。雖然小時候我對鮮奶興趣缺缺，但是印象中福樂巧克力調味鮮奶好喝的不得了！有一回過生日，在福樂吃到冰淇淋生日蛋糕，讓我今生與冰淇淋結下不解之緣！

在過去47年歷史裡，福樂歷經不少變化，小時候常光顧的敦化北路店面早已被新一代的美式餐廳取代，如今只剩下位於士林區中正路的現址。為了重溫童年的記憶，十多年之後我再度回到福樂，心裡只想著一樣東西：超大cheese培根雙層漢堡﹙180元﹚。這應該還是目前在台灣最超值的漢堡之一，看著雙層的漢堡肉、培根再加上三片漢堡麵包，我總是不確定應該從那裡開始吃！經典的吃法應該配上一杯巧克力奶昔，因為福樂有自家的鮮奶和冰淇淋，可是那天只有香草和草莓的口味。我只好退而求其次，以咖啡冰淇淋浮羅﹙145元﹚取代。

早期在台灣吃牛排，都是以熱騰騰的鐵板裝盤。如今福樂依然是這樣的做法，特級美國嫩煎無骨牛小排﹙425元；套餐包含香蒜麵包、自助沙拉吧和飲料吧、冰淇淋﹚份量足夠兩人分享，留一點空間在餐後吃檸檬派﹙78元﹚和幽浮聖代﹙145元﹚。因為小時候我們都是這樣吃的！

My Update

Happy Moon Festival! Tomorrow is the annual mid-autumn festival for Chinese (and Korean) but a typhoon is ruining the holiday 'cuz the stormy weather has covered up the moon. All we get is strong winds & heavy rainfalls.

Some may wonder why is it that my recent postings are mostly restaurant reviews or nightlife coverage. Actually it is something I do for a bilingual monthly magazine (in Chinese / English). The money isn't much but I enjoy doing it cuz it will allow me to meet interesting people and eat for free!

Last year and up until this past July I was involved in the local film industry. However, I'm slowly drifting away from it but I have been asked to make cameo from time to time in films & TV drama. It's quite fun! I'll have a part coming up soon where I'll play a radio host. This one should be easy for me.

And I have a confession to make. I tipped off a reporter about a dirty secret and soon it was all over the newspaper! Here's the scoop: a former colleague from the shopping channel (in fact I never liked her!) was recently accused of adultery. Apparently in Taiwan you can be charged with adultery. She was dating some dude who's a pilot for China Airlines and his wife tracked down where my old colleague's residence. It was ugly - serious cat fight took place! And later the two women filed charges against each other.

It is reallly none of my business. But another former co-worker told me about it and on the same day I ran into a friend who's a reporter for the infamous gossip newspaper and he pursued the leads I gave him. And the next thing I knew that scandal made it to the news (print & TV). All I can say for Ms. Coco is that GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!

Geez where did all the time go? I'm going to be 35 on Novemver 1st. The truth is that I feel like 28, not 35! Everyone says the clock is ticking. I think I wouldn't mind finding a guy and just be with him. But marriage isn't necessary since I have no plans to be a mother.

As for the dating scene, it's hard to meet someone who's carefree. We all have problems of our own. It's scary to find out the skeleton in the closet. It ain't pretty at all. I do know a lot of society elites and they have more problems than anyone else! Having money is great and I won't say no to it. But in the end it still comes down to compatibility. I know what I like in a man and what I don't like. Often the so-called "great deal" can vary from one chick to another. My concept of an ideal man is very different than my sister's, let alone millions of women out there.

I always meet men at random places and I always wonder what they see in me and the impression they have of me. Some are total aloof and therefore 1 or 2 dates should do it. I have this secret lover for years, on & off; but it's probably going nowhere. We were never serious about each other. I like him but maybe not enough to be with him for the rest of my life and he probably was never that into me anyway.

I've been seeing a Scorpio man for quite some time. He's one year younger than me but quite mature for his age. We both are keeping a low profile. Therefore not a whole lot of people know about us, not even the person who introduced us has any clue. He's very tall, dark and wears glasses; this is the first time I'm dating someone who's just as independent but less selfish than I am. He's responsible and trustworthy. I feel very well-taken care of when I'm with him.

If all goes well, I should be arriving in SF on Monday September 29th on a monthly vacation.

Congrats to Jeff & Chrissy! Taipei Reception

Yangming Spring 陽明春天忠孝店

白醬焗鮮筍


松露蠔皇煲珍菇


一品佛跳牆

Yangming Spring 陽明春天忠孝店
Hours / 營業時間
Lunch 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm; Afternoon Tea 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Dinner 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
午宴 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm; 下午茶 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm; 晚宴 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
02-8772-1829
10F No.98 Section 4 Chung-Xiao East Road Taipei 台北市忠孝東路四段98號10樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.ymspring.com.tw

A year ago Yangming Spring vegetarian restaurant opened up its first location in the scenic tourist attraction Yangmingshan. Due to popular demands a second location was established in the heart of downtown Taipei. In comparison to the first establishment which is 3,600 square feet, the Chung-Xiao location is positioned as a petite gallery restaurant, displaying masterpieces of calligraphy, bonsai and sculptures and all are for sale. Restaurant owner Mr. Chen aims to provide all vegetarian cuisine in an artistic space. The atmosphere is zen-like and it feels like as if time has stopped the minute you walk into Yangming Spring. You begin to let go of your anxiety and become relaxed. It is all about LOHAS, slow food and total health enhancement. Even though Yangming Spring serves all vegetarian meals, every healthy dish is lack in fat but full of flavors. This dining experience will slowly put you at ease and into a good mood as you taste each course to the fullest.

Yangming Spring mainly serves set menus and reservation is required since daily food supply is limited. In order to truly enjoy the set menu you will need at least 90 minutes. If you’re in a hurry there will be a la cart to choose from during lunchtime and afternoon tea hours. Currently the most raved about set menu is the superb truffle set menu ﹙NT1,280﹚, including 11 courses. All natural ingredients are transformed into creative dishes that will blow your mind away. The most notable ones are bamboo shoots with white sauce, shiitake mushrooms with truffle and Buddha’s casserole.

The most impressive characteristic about Yangming Spring is the service. Every waiter is trained to explain the ingredients of each dish and its health benefits. And their upbeat pleasant attitude will infect every customer!

一年前在陽明山開幕的陽明春天素食創作料理因應顧客的需求，在台北東區成立第二個據點。相較於先前上千坪的空間，經營者陳先生把忠孝店規劃為藝廊餐廳，所有陳設的書法、盆栽和雕塑都是出自大師級作品，讓客人欣賞之餘也供販售。餐廳的氛圍頗有禪意，強調樂活、慢食、養生，一旦進入彷彿時間靜止，焦躁的心情頓時變得輕鬆；雖然提供全素料理，色香味一樣不少，用餐後心情愉快，好像每吃一道菜就少一個煩惱。

陽明春天以套餐為主，必須預約，保留至少90分鐘的時間用餐。如果時間不是很充裕，午餐和下午茶時段有提供餐飲單點。目前最受推荐的松露頂級套餐﹙1.280元﹚一共有11道，天然食材以創意料理呈現，其中的主菜白醬焗鮮筍、松露蠔皇煲珍菇和一品佛跳牆是絕不可錯過的美食，跳脫時下素食料理的觀念！

值得一提的是，陽明春天的服務生會向客人解釋每道菜的作法、吃法和益處，他們樂在其中、快樂的工作態度也會感染每一位客人，這般的收穫是前所未有的！

GALERIE Bistro

GALERIE Bistro
Hours / 營業時間
Tuesday - Sunday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm ﹙closed every Monday；last order by 9:00 pm﹚
週二 – 週日 11:30 am – 10:00 pm ﹙每週一公休；點餐至9:00 pm﹚
02-2558-0096
1F No.2 Lane 25 Nanjing West Road Taipei ﹙MRT Chungshan station Exit 2﹚
台北市南京西路25巷2號﹙捷運中山站2號出口﹚
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge / Minimum NT250 per person
可刷卡 / 一成服務費 / 每人低消250元
www.galeriebistro.com

In Taiwan where can you find a restaurant that provides the quality and service of Euro-style fine dining but charges a fraction of the price like a bistro? It took two years to make this dream, GALERIE Bistro, come true and its owner Ely worked on every detail possible, from cutlery, tables & chairs, décor, menu and wine list, all represent Ely’s style and grace. The building structure was originally built 80 years ago during the Japanese occupation period and passed on to Ely through inheritance. After renovation GALERIE Bistro is now considered a best kept secret. Ely’s idea is to present a contemporary European bistro, using imported quality ingredients and fine china & tableware along with top-notch service. The décor is all-white and the style is elegant simplicity, making GALERIE Bistro cozy and yet irresistible.

GALERIE Bistro launched a soft opening on July 26th and the menu has been adjusted accordingly. French crêpe comes in savory and sweet flavors and Italian panini sandwiches have received positive reviews. Wild mushrooms & chicken royal with sauce supreme ﹙NT210﹚along with fresh fruit tea ﹙NT200﹚is ideal for afternoon snack. If you have room for desserts, fudge brownie cake ﹙NT160﹚is incredible! The combination of Belgian chocolate and vanilla ice cream is marvelous and unforgettable! Roasted beef and caramelized onions ﹙NT280﹚serves U.S. prime beef and rarely seen in Taiwan - authentic French fries! It is one satisfying meal and the good taste will linger in your mouth! Take a few moments to sit in the garden to enjoy European style relaxation while sipping Ceylon Tea ﹙NT180﹚and you’ll be the envy of every passerby! A friendly reminder: call for reservation in advance or you’ll be waiting in vain for a table!

在台灣想要享受歐式精緻美食的品質和服務，卻只需小餐館的價格上那兒找？女主人Ely花了兩年，讓GALERIE Bistro這個夢想成真，從刀叉、桌椅、陳設到菜單、酒單，都是來自她獨特的個人品味；再加上祖傳80年歷史的建築物，彷彿置身在秘密花園。Ely希望將她常年在國外接觸到的歐式美食文化與台灣鄉親分享，採用進口食材、高檔餐具，白色簡約的風格典雅唯美卻零壓力，服務生親切又熱情讓人捨不得離開。

7月26日開始試賣，菜單不定時調整，輕食以法式薄餅﹙甜、鹹口味﹚和義大利三明治最受好評；以雪利酒、白醬和野蘑菇調味的雞肉野菇薄餅﹙210元﹚口味道地，配上新鮮水果冰茶﹙200元﹚是適合午後的點心。飯後點比利時布朗尼﹙160元﹚，濃郁的巧克力和香草冰淇淋同時入口的幸福，嘗過必難忘！烘烤牛肉三明治﹙280元﹚採用牛排等級的美國牛肉，附上正統的法式薯條，美味百分百！餐後喝斯里蘭卡茶﹙180元﹚，坐在花園裡享受歐式悠閒，讓經過的路人羨慕不已！貼心的叮嚀：一定要事先訂位以免向隅！

Yi-Yuan Chinese Restaurant 台北西華飯店怡園

A: Bush Set Menu


B: Thatcher Set Menu


C:Tan Sri Dato'

Yi-Yuan Chinese Restaurant at The Sherwood Taipei台北西華飯店怡園中餐廳
Hours / 營業時間
Lunch 11:30 am – 2:30 pm； Dinner 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
午餐 11:30 am – 2:30 pm；晚餐 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
02-2718-1188 Ext.303
2F No.111 Section 3 Min-Sheng East Road Taipei台北市民生東路三段111號
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.sherwood.com.tw

Among all the business hotels in Taipei Yi-Yuan Chinese Restaurant at The Sherwood Taipei is probably one of the oldest Chinese cuisine establishments. This year Yi-Yuan will celebrate its 18th anniversary and throughout the years it always offers the most authentic Cantonese cuisine. Every course is prepared as a masterpiece of artwork in the making. As the cuisine goes beyond its limits and consequently becomes one of a kind exquisite gourmet food. Many influential elites and celebrities from abroad couldn’t stop raving about Yi-Yuan once they visited the restaurant and often asked for take-out orders before leaving Taiwan. And local business leaders enjoy Yi-Yuan’s cuisine as much as they appreciate the ambience and therefore would come here for family gatherings and business functions. This fall Yi-Yuan presents course sets that have won the hearts of three internationally renowned elites: former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Malaysian Tan Sri Dato' Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay. And we’ve selected one dish from each course:

A、 Bush set menu ﹙NT2,800+10% service charge﹚: Chicken with pineapple comes with one layer of crispy chicken thigh meat and another tender layer of seafood composite. Sliced pineapples and lemon juice provides the most crowd-pleasing sweet and sour taste.
B、 Thatcher set menu ﹙NT2,800+10% service charge﹚: Australian lobster wraps uses traditional Cantonese ingredients: fisch mushrooms, brown mushrooms and crab yolk proteins and the texture is magnificent!
C、 Malaysian Tan Sri Dato' Seri set menu ﹙NT4,000+10% service charge﹚:Shark fin soup is served with chicken stock that’s stewed for eight hours, mousse made of egg whites and Hokkaido scallops, crab meat and the highest grade of shark fins. Enjoy every sip to the fullest because it’s very precious!

在台北商務飯店中的中式餐廳，歷史最悠久之一的台北西華飯店怡園今年邁入第十八年，堅持提供正宗廣式料理，以21世紀美學擺盤，每道菜都是賞心悅目、人間美味的極品。台北西華飯店多年以來，接待過無數國內外政商名流，而享譽國際的重要人物在品嚐怡園的料理時，讚不絕口之餘，還要求多帶幾份上飛機享用！因此怡園推出美國前總統老布希、英國前首相柴契爾夫人和馬來西亞拿督楊忠禮三位名人曾經特別推薦的套餐，讓更多饕客有機會享受精緻道地的廣式料理！

A、 布希套餐﹙每位2,800元+一成服務費﹚中的香菠麒麟雞有一層脆皮雞腿肉、和一層花枝與鮮蝦漿，雙重口感配上鳳梨片和檸檬汁，酸甜的口味老少咸宜。
B、 柴契爾夫人套餐﹙每位2,800元+一成服務費﹚中的竹笙龍蝦卷是道非常廣式的料理，以香菇、竹笙將澳洲龍蝦包裹，再以蟹粉調味，是傳統菜色最佳典範！
C、 馬來西亞拿督套餐﹙每位4,000元+一成服務費﹚中的上湯浮雲海虎翅是熬煮八小時的雞湯配上北海道干貝和蛋白打成的慕絲、蟹肉，每一口都非常珍貴！

Marriage Humor‏

I'm going to be 35 in November and I have never been married. However, I do know a lot of married couples through my social circle. Some of them do tell me interesting stories from their personal experiences. But I can't help but wonder, "are they truly happy being married?"

Then this E-Mail from an old boyfriend arrived in my inbox. The jokes are funny but I sure hope that something like this won't happen to me when I get hitched.

================================

Wife: 'What are you doing?'

Husband : Nothing.

Wife : 'Nothing...? You've been reading our marriage certificate for an hour.'

Husband : 'I was looking for the expiry date.'

------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Wife : 'Do you want dinner?'

Husband : 'Sure! What are my choices?'

Wife : 'Yes or no.'

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Wife: 'You always carry my photo in your wallet.Why?'

Hubby: 'When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears.'

Wife: 'You see how miraculous and powerful I am for you!'

Hubby: 'Yes! I see your picture and ask myself what other problem can there be greater than this one?'

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Stress Reliever Girl: 'When we get married, I want to share all your worries, troubles and lighten your burden.'

Boy: 'It's very kind of you, darling, but I don't have any worries or troubles.'

Girl: 'Well that's because we aren't married yet.'

------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Son: ' Mom, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up my seat to a lady.'

Mom: 'Well, you have done the right thing.'

Son: 'But mom, I was sitting on daddy's lap.'
___________ _________ _________ _________

A newly married man asked his wife, 'Would you have married me if my father hadn't left me a fortune?'

'Honey,' the woman replied sweetly, 'I'd have married you, NO MATTER WHO LEFT YOU A FORTUNE!'

------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Girl to her boyfriend: One kiss and I'll be yours forever.

The guy replies: 'Thanks for the early warning.'
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

A wife asked her husband: 'What do you like most in me, my pretty face or my sexy body?'

He looked at her from head to toe and replied: 'I like your sense of humor.'

TENKITSU SHABU SHOP 天氣圖鍋物工坊

TENKITSU SHABU SHOP 天氣圖鍋物工坊
西門店
Hours / 營業時間
Sunday - Thursday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm﹙last order by 9:00 pm﹚
Friday – Saturday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm﹙last order by 9:30 pm﹚
週日至週四11:30 am – 10:00 pm﹙點餐至9:00 pm﹚
週五、六 11:30 am – 11:00 pm ﹙點餐至9:30 pm﹚
02-2383-1979
4F No.37 E-Mei Street Taipei 台北市峨眉街37號4樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
微風店
Hours / 營業時間
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm﹙last order by 9:00 pm﹚
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 10:30 pm﹙last order by 9:30 pm﹚
週日至週四 11:00 am – 10:00 pm﹙點餐至9:00 pm﹚
週五、六 11:00 am – 10:30 pm ﹙點餐至9:30 pm﹚
02-8772-8951
7F No.39 Section 1 Fu-Xin South Road 台北市復興南路一段39號7樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費

Located in the western part of Taipei, Shi-men-ding, the majority of customers at TENKITSU SHABU SHOP is students. Though the average cost per person is no more than 300NT you’re guaranteed to eat well and be satisfied by the end of the meal. Restaurant manager Goldfish insists that shabu shabu is suitable to enjoy all year round and women should eat it often if they are concerned about their figure! She is a living proof of someone who kept the weight off on a shabu shaub diet! Kelp soup stock is ideal for spring and summertime is the season to have spicy hot pot; kimchi soup stock goes well with the breezy autumn and pickled cabbage soup stock will provide warmth and keep you in good health. Four different dipping sauces and rice with sweet yam are in unlimited supply. TENKITSU SHABU SHOP offers fresh ingredients with affordable prices. You don’t have to be a student to enjoy all of that!

A+B、 Deluxe set menu for two ﹙NT990﹚comes with a choice of soup stock, slicked pork, beef spareribs, assorted seafood plate, assorted veggie plate, fried won ton, handmade assorted meat balls and two drinks ﹙NT88 / per drink max.﹚. You can order an additional soup stock ﹙NT88﹚to add more flavor! No dipping sauce will be needed if Kimchi and spicy hot pot are served. As for drinks ice teas and smoothies are the most popular choices of beverage! TENKITSU orange ice tea and raspberry smoothie are recommended by manager Goldfish!

C、 Giant brown sugar shaved ice ﹙NT150﹚is astonishing because it comes with at least 10 different toppings, red bean, green bean, oatmeal, taro, peanuts , fresh fruit and etc. You won’t find any shaved ice as humongous as this one in this town. It has been nominated as the best group dessert!

位在西門町徒步區的天氣圖，學生族群是最大宗的消費者，一個人平均消費不到三百元，讓年輕學子吃飽也吃得好！店長金小魚強調一年四季都可以吃涮涮鍋，而且女生可以越吃越纖細，她自己就是個成功的案例！昆布湯底適合溫和的春天，熱情的夏天吃麻辣口味很帶勁，天涼好個秋搭配泡菜鍋底，在冬天吃酸白菜既保暖又養生；搭配四種特調的沾醬，無飯不歡的可以盡情享用養生地瓜飯。天氣圖講究健康食材及平易近人的價位，即使不是學生，非吃不可！

A+B、 豪華2人行套餐﹙990元﹚非常豐富，鍋底一份、豚白肉、牛小排、綜合海鮮、綜合菜盤、炸餛飩、手工丸和兩杯飲料﹙單價以88元為限﹚。想要一鍋兩吃，可以加點湯底﹙一份88元﹚，建議享用泡菜鍋和麻辣鍋時不需沾醬；推薦爽茶和冰沙系統的飲品，目前以橘子爽茶、覆盆子冰沙是最受歡迎！

C、 巨無霸黑糖剉冰﹙150元﹚用料實在，紅豆、綠豆、麥角、芋頭、花生等等十多種配料再加上水果，這樣的份量讓人嘆為觀止，也是三兩好友用餐後的最佳甜點！

2008 Gucci Fall / Winter Fashion Show

Pâtisserie La Douceur 品悅糖

Pâtisserie La Douceur 品悅糖
Hours / 營業時間
Everyday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM ﹙closed on last Monday of each month﹚
每天 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM ﹙每個月最後一個週一公休﹚
02-3322-2833
1F No.18 Section 2 Xin-Yi Road 台北市信義路二段18號一樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.ladouceur.com.tw

如果人生能夠重新來過，你想做什麼？來到品悅糖，除了聆聽價值六百萬的豪華音響和品嚐美味的法式甜點之外，一定要和老闆、店長，和主廚聊聊天，因為他們的事業第二春精彩、自在！在35歲的那一年，為了讓台北有個正宗的法式甜點店，蔣老闆毅然離開銀行業的金飯碗，千辛萬苦遠赴法國藍帶學藝。學成歸國後，創業至今近兩年，堅持不開分店，僅此一家的品悅糖由最初的法式甜點咖啡廳到如今的法式料理小酒館，人氣居高不下！

A、這裡的法式料理是典型的家鄉菜，油封鴨腿﹙490元；附麵包、湯、沙拉、甜點和飲料﹚光是醃肉就要十小時，而肉質的甜嫩令人滿意！

B、每天的下午茶時段﹙2:30 PM – 5:30 PM﹚只要點一款法式甜點，飲料打八五折。必吃的千層酥﹙135元﹚和可麗露﹙50元﹚是老闆堅持以傳統繁複的方式製作，讓法國人也稱讚！無論是伯爵茶拿鐵﹙140元﹚或是萊姆香柚綠茶﹙150元﹚搭配甜食，這份法式浪漫在爵士樂和溫馨的室內設計襯托下，想到就陶醉！

If you could have a second chance what would you want to be? Pâtisserie La Douceur is best known for its six million dollar stereo system and delicious French pastries and sweets; you must speak with the owner, shop manager and master chef! All three of them took a dramatic career change in their 30s and now they’re living their lives to the fullest! The year owner Mr. Jiang turned 35 he decided to quit banking and went abroad to study at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute. This sudden move was driven by his desire to open up an authentic pâtisserie in Taipei. It’s been nearly two years since his dream came true and La Douceur has grown from a French bakery to a home cooked style bistro! Its popularity is constantly on the rise, attracting dessert lovers as well as French cuisine diehard fans.

A、Serving French home style food is always a crowd pleaser. And duck confit ﹙490NT；bread、soup、salad、dessert and a drink are included﹚is a traditional dish originated from southwestern France. The meat will require at least 10 hours to cure and the result is satisfying!

B、When you come in for the daily afternoon tea﹙2:30 PM – 5:30 PM﹚you can order one dessert and 15% discount will be taken off from any drink. Two must-have items from the dessert menu are Mille-feuille ﹙135NT﹚ and cannelé bordelaise ﹙140NT﹚ because even native French people cannot stop raving about them. Either Earl Grey tea with milk foam ﹙140NT﹚or Pomelo tea ﹙150NT﹚ to go with the dessert of your choice is ideal. Sitting in this cozy bistro while listening to jazz music is all so very French romanticism！

認真快樂的度過每一天

朋友們總是好奇我的生活，以為每天都是多采多姿。我對於生活的態度是，每一天都是全新的一天，做不同的事、見不同的人、看不同的物。所以我到底都在幹什麼呢？以下內容是其中最有趣的吃喝玩樂！

Friday August 22: 參加舉辦於台北101大樓的84F的藍鐘秋冬服裝秀，彭佳慧現場表演；於樂利路重新開幕的4plus與朋友小酌。

Saturday August 23：Citrus Summer Party 由我的Soul Brother 劉軒主導音樂，我們一大群朋友為了Open Bar聚在酒吧前連喝九十分鐘。

Wednesday August 27：在台北市立美術館擔任2008亞洲藝術產經．台北論壇的英文翻譯，而我被印度阿三的捲舌音打敗了。

Friday August 29：酒商Bailey’s在Neo 19的屋頂辦派對，活動主持人口條不佳而且頻頻出錯﹙you know who you are sucker！﹚，不過大家都是為了金曲歌后蔡健雅表演而出席的，她抱著吉他出場一共唱了四首歌，真的好聽可是她的歌在這種應該要熱鬧氣氛的派對顯得很突兀，讓我想回家抱著男人睡覺。

Saturday August 30：擔任Art Taipei 2008台北國際藝術博覽會．藝術講座的英文翻譯，因此有幸認識美國錄像大師Gary Hill和他美麗的妻子，不但與他們共進午餐、義務當他們的翻譯與有興趣的藝術買家溝通，並且於晚間一起出席藝術收藏家的晚宴；會後我還帶他們去體驗台北安和路的夜生活。

Tuesday September 2：下午採訪信義路上的「千金廚海鮮台菜餐廳」，品嚐美味健康的三杯中卷和其他菜色；晚上參加嘉裕西服秋冬服裝發表會，拿到相當不錯的伴手禮，結束後大家一起去ichi居酒屋找帥哥小三吃飯喝酒，小三還請我們喝一輪shots，將近三十個人呢！

Wednesday September 3：中午十二點採訪東區最新開幕的養生美食餐廳「陽明春天」，真的是太好吃了，完全忘記是在吃素；三點和姐妹Nancy喝下午茶，意外發掘一家古典優雅的餐館，「Galerie Bistro」，令人開心！晚上採訪由法式甜點擴張為法式小餐館的「品悅糖」，認識帥氣年輕的老闆兼甜點師傅，也吃到油封鴨腿和甜點可麗露、千層酥，啊，what a wonderful life！老闆還熱心載我一程，送我捷運站！而且很妙的是，當我講完電話、準備踏進捷運包廂時，一位身穿汗衫背心戴眼鏡的陌生男人手持一張皺成一團的千元紙鈔，執意是我剛剛從手提包拿出手機時所掉落的，所以我就莫名其妙的多一千塊錢在手上！

Qian-Jin Kitchen 千金廚

Qian-Jin Kitchen 千金廚
Hours / 營業時間
Lunch 午餐11:30 AM – 14:30 PM；Dinner 晚餐 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM ﹙週五、六營業至11:00 PM；Friday & Saturday ‘till 11:00 PM﹚
02-2704-6513
1F No.345 Xin-Yi Road 台北市信義路四段345號一樓
Credit Cards Accepted / No Service Charge 可刷卡 / 無服務費

世界上所有的美食再怎麼好吃也比不上家鄉的口味，而最好吃的家鄉菜都是來自世代的傳承！乍聽之下，今年六月開幕的千金廚似乎很現代感，殊不知它代表著超過三十年的經驗和上一代延續下來的好手藝！有別於一般的台式海產店，千金廚強調少油、少鹽的健康台菜，尤其是深海海鮮料理更是不容錯過！

第一次到千金廚，如果點菜時拿不定主意，直接從人氣商品下手準沒錯！香烤鹹豬肉﹙小280元；大420元﹚有媽媽的愛心和獨門的醃肉功夫，沾點特調的工研白醋，這是一道絕佳的下酒菜！鹹酥龍珠﹙小280元；大420元﹚是經過油炸至香脆的透抽嘴巴肉，搭配紅辣椒一起吃更帶勁！為了更好的口感採用寬粉絲的鮮蝦粉絲煲﹙480元﹚讓饕客除了炒飯之外多一種選擇。三杯中卷﹙小480元；大680元﹚的花枝是經過特別挑選，厚度高達一公分，甜、脆、鮮是這道菜的特色，吃過之後回味無窮！千金廚的每道菜份量十足，記得多找幾個朋友一起來用餐才能盡興！

Having the experience of tasting worldly gourmet is a luxury but it can never curb my craving for hometown delicacy! And I must confess that the best of hometown flavors always come from culinary craft passed down from generations. Judging from the first glance Qian-Jin Kitchen may seem like a chic New York style restaurant, how little I know that it stands for more than three decades of experiences and gourmet expertise from the last generation. Unlike most Taiwanese style seafood restaurant Qian-Jin Kitchen emphasizes on healthy cuisine that has less fat and little salt. All the dishes made of deep sea fish are the must-haves!

If you’re dining at Qian-Jin Kitchen for the first time and you’re torn between seafood and poultry, just order the dishes that are marked with “Most popular demand!” Roasted salty sliced pork (small 280NT; large 420NT) comes from a homemade recipe and a unique tedious process to cure meat. With a dip in the white vinegar this is a perfect dish to go with a jug of cold beer. Fried squid mouth meat ﹙small 280NT; large 420NT﹚may seem odd at first but it will crunch in your mouth. For some extra red-hot flavor just pair it with some red chili peppers to add more kicks to it! Shrimp vermicelli clay pot (480NT) is an alternative choice for those who are not keen on ordering fried rice. Cuttlefish in brown sauce﹙small 480NT; large 680NT﹚is fresh, sweet and crisp. The cuttlefish is particularly thick, as much as 1 centimeter and that’s very rare in any seafood restaurant in town.

Be sure to bring a group of friends to Qian-Jin Kitchen because the portion is more sufficient to serve the whole family and then some!

Carnival Autumn / Winter Fashion Show

A group of us teamed up for the Carnival Autumn / Winter fashion show tonight. We arrived right on time at 6:30 PM. The truth is that we came for the free drinks & finger food. We love partying on someone else's dime. The show was so-so but the drinks were yummy!

By the way I woke up this morning and found a bizarre E-Mail in my inbox. I thought you might find it amusing!

Heloo,
I am 28 from Europe... Woud like sex tonight. In Tai Pei is my transfer... Tomorow I go at home ..
Fero