小路的陽台。El Patio de mi casa

小路的陽台。El Patio de mi casa
吉林路407巷3號8樓；0987-423-451
3, Lane 407, JiLin Rd, 8F
營業時間/Hours：晚餐/Dinner 6-10:30 pm﹙週一週二公休 / closed on Monday & Tuesday﹚
無刷卡，不收服務費
Credit Cards Not Accepted. No service charge.
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/snowchidodo

El Patio de mi casa ：The Best Kept Secret of Spanish Private Kitchen in Taipei

Two years ago Luis left Spain and moved to Taiwan to be with the woman he loved. Even though it didn’t work out in the long run, Luis had fallen deeply in love with Taiwan and had decided to make Taipei his home away from home. At first Luis worked at a Spanish restaurant as a chef that didn’t last long because he disagreed with what the owner believed as authentic Spanish cuisine. Thanks to encouragements from friends. El Patio de mi casa was born a year ago and Luis began cooking for friends at home on the weekends. He could serve no more than 4 people in his balcony. Since then El Patio de mi casa becomes the newest landmark for Spanish cuisine in Taipei and a must-visit private kitchen for gourmet lovers. Through word of mouth and Luis’ TV guest appearances El Patio de mi casa is now one of the hottest restaurants in town. Reservation has to be made at leas one month in advance. For those who have dined at El Patio de mi casa they can’t stop raving about it. Luis’ gourmet skills come from everything his mother taught him in her kitchen starting at a young age and of course his own creations of Spanish cuisine.

This past February Luis moved to the current location and remodeled the rooftop apartment with some help from his good friend Ramses. They painted the walls, set up furniture and decorated the balcony. Luis says, “I aim to create an ambience just like a Spanish home and provide a comfortable casual dining space for my guests to enjoy my Spanish home cooking!” The rooftop balcony is big enough to fit 15 people at once and there’s also a room inside suitable for 4 people.

Aside from Monday and Tuesday when El Patio de mi casa is closed Luis goes to the traditional market to buy fresh produce, seafood and meat. There are a few spices that have to be brought back from Spain. No menu is available because it is a private kitchen. When you call for reservation please specify any food allergy and personal dietary request. Luis’ menu﹙from NT$700 to NT$1,000/person﹚includes a ten course dinner plus lemon flavor beer. Sun-dried date with cream cheese and ham, pan-fried squid with garlic dipping sauce and crabs in tomato sauce are quite popular. Homemade Spanish flan is going to be the best pudding you’ll ever have!

Sitting in Luis’ balcony and sipping sangria﹙NT$900﹚with a group of friends on a breezy night while Luis and Ramses sing along with guitar and drum is one fabulous way to enjoy life! On a clear night you can see Taipei 101 from a distance too!

小路的陽台：台北市最隱密的西班牙私宅廚房

兩年前為尋愛來到台灣的小路，雖然愛情已成過去式，已經深深愛上台灣，決定把台北當成西班牙之外的第二個家。原本在一家西班牙餐廳當主廚，好景不常，因為與雇主對於何謂正統西班牙料理意見分歧，他黯然離開。一年前在好友的鼓勵下，小路利用週末在自家廚房做菜，在陽台空間宴客，一次最多只能服務四人，小路的陽台因此成為西班牙菜的最新朝聖地點，更是老饕想要親訪的私宅廚房。經過口耳相傳，再加上小路數次受邀上電視節目訪問，小路的陽台的名氣在短時間之內暴漲，至少要提前一個月打電話預約訂位。只要在此用餐過的朋友，都不禁舉起大姆指叫好！小路的廚藝有一半來自從小母親傳授的西班牙家常菜，另一半則是他自己經年累月在廚房鑽研的成果。

今年二月，小路搬到目前的新家，從粉刷牆壁、陳設桌椅、佈置陽台，一切都是自己和好友若森一點一滴的心血。小路說：「希望給客人一個舒服自在的用餐空間，在充滿西班牙風情的居家環境享用美味的家庭式西班牙菜！」頂樓加蓋的空間寬敞許多，陽台可以容納十五人，還有一個小房間適合四人聚會用餐。

除了每週一二公休，小路必須每天早上到傳統市場採買新鮮食材，有些香料另外請人特別從西班牙帶回。因為是私宅餐廳，沒有菜單，電話預約時，事先註明飲食禁忌，如對海鮮過敏或是不吃豬肉。小路的菜單﹙從700元至1,000元/人﹚包括十道菜和調味檸檬啤酒。美國棗加奶油乳酪和火腿、花枝配大蒜沾醬、蕃茄紅醬螃蟹是頗受歡迎的菜色，自製甜點布丁更是不能錯過的！

坐在小路的陽台，一陣微風吹來，喝著西班牙水果酒﹙900元/瓶﹚，看著遠方的台北101，小路和若森自彈自唱與大家同歡，這樣的人生多麼令人欽羨！

Palace 桃。Palace Tao

Palace 桃。Palace Tao
台北市忠孝東路四段216巷19弄19號；(02)2778-3200
19, Alley 19, Lane 216, ZhongXiao E Rd, Sec.4
營業時間/Hours：週日至週四/Sun-Thu 11:30 am-10 pm,
週五、六/Fri & Sat 11:30 am-10:30 pm
可刷卡，一成服務費Credit Cards Accepted. 10% Service Charge
Chinese/English menu / 中/英文菜單
www.thepalace.com.tw

Within the last six months 「Palace Tao」 opened two branches. The first one is in BanQiao and the second one is located in the heart of eastern section of Taipei. Judging from the outside appearance it looks like a chic lounge bar. Once you’re inside you’ll find a stylish modern western restaurant. The décor has mirrors all around and makes the space seem a lot bigger visually. There is also a room with the capacity of 16 people which is reserved for private party booking. If you prefer outdoor seating, you can choose to sit in the patio. On a sunny day it’s quite relaxing to hang out with friends over coffee.

The entrée on the menu is mostly meat, including pork knuckle, pork chop, chicken, lamb chop and steak. The prices range from NT$240 to NT$400. When you order one entrée you can order any side orders for half of the regular prices. Side orders are bread, soup, salad, drink and dessert. “Lamb Chops With Rosemary Sauce”﹙NT$300﹚comes in a big portion and you can ask for cooked or medium rare. With additional NT$100 you can upgrade it to a full set with all of the side dishes. Or you can have bread, soup and a drink for NT$60 extra.

Monday through Friday the afternoon tea time is from 2:30 to 5 pm. You can pair any drink with a dessert﹙value less than NT$50﹚for only NT$69. However, “Chocolate Cake”﹙NT$60﹚is highly recommended though you pay a little extra. It is a warm chocolate brownie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s the best dessert in town under NT$60!

短短半年之內，Palace 桃開了兩家連鎖店，第一家在板橋，而第二家就在東區的巷子裡，從外觀看來，Palace 桃像是個時尚的lounge bar，走進去才發現是個現代感十足的西式餐廳。Palace 桃的室內裝潢以鏡子為主，讓原本稍小的空間在視覺上變大了；另外有個可以容納16人的包廂，提供私人聚會的獨立空間；也有戶外用餐的空間，天氣晴朗時，坐在大陽傘下，和朋友喝咖啡、閒話家常，讓都市生活多一份休閒。

菜單上的主餐以肉類為主，包括豬腳、豬排、雞腿、羊排、牛排，單點價位從240元起跳到400元不等。只要點一份主餐，享有任意單點副餐半價優惠，有麵包、湯品、沙拉、飲料和甜點。香烤迷迭香羊排﹙300元﹚份量大，可要求全熟或是半熟，再加一百元變成套餐組合，可吃到所有的副餐一共五樣；或是外加60元，多了麵包、湯品和飲料。

另有69元下午茶套餐，時段為週一至週五的2:30-5 pm，可任選一杯飲料和甜點﹙50元以下﹚；值得一試的冰火濃情二重奏﹙60元﹚是溫熱的布朗尼配上一球香草冰淇淋，這勢必成為你吃過最好吃的平價甜點！

東區咖啡寵物主題餐廳。Eastern District Pets Café

東區咖啡寵物主題餐廳。Eastern District Pets Café
台北市大安區延吉街178號；0986-780-691
178, YanJi St
營業時間/Hours：10:30 am-11 pm
MRT：近國父紀念館二號出口
無刷卡，無服務費
Credit Cards Not Accepted. No Service Charge.
Chinese menu/中文菜單

As early as the age of five Winson Chang began raising pets, such as cats, dogs, birds and reptiles. In March 2009 he finally made his childhood dream come true by opening 「Eastern District Pets Café」; It is a meeting place for those who love pets and those who love their pets so much that they cannot leave home without them. In addition Winson is generous enough to share all of his pets with the rest of pet lovers. 「Eastern District Pets Café」currently has over 50 varieties of birds on site. As soon as you walk in there is music to your ears while birds sing. For a second you feel as if you’re in an urban secret garden. Suddenly a red parrot greets you, “Good day boss!” and it brings you back to the real world.

「Eastern District Pet Café」occupies the first and the second floor with a total of 1,440 square feet. Asides from varieties of birds Winson also puts in several fish tank, displaying exotic and colorful fish. Many first timers and passer-by might mistake it as a tea house because the interior design and fixtures are traditional Chinese style. Quite a few bird lover social groups hold their regular meetings here. Each person brings in his or her beloved birds to the gatherings, exchanges experiences as pet owners and admire each other’s rare exotic birds.

「Eastern District Pet Café」mainly provides fresh squeeze juices, coffee and a variety of Chinese and herbal tea. Everyday four to five different light meals﹙NT$180﹚are available. Each comes with vegetable soup, salad, dessert and one drink. “Red Wine Beef Stew” and “Japanese Grilled Eel” are the most popular items on the daily meal menu. While you enjoy a light meal your pet bird will get to feast on the special bird seed mixes prepared by Winson. Dining in a restaurant with your pets can be an interesting and delightful experience!

五歲便開始飼養寵物，養過貓、狗、鳥、爬蟲類等的張港，終於完成自己的夢想，成立「東區咖啡寵物主題餐廳」，希望提供一個休閒場所讓愛寵物的朋友和喜歡帶寵物出門的主人有交流互動的機會。愛屋及烏，張港也把自己個人的寵物—五十多隻鳥類與大家分享。大門口養著各式各樣的鳥類，彷彿置身在花園中，一隻紅色的鸚鵡叫一聲「老闆好」，讓剛走進門的客人頓時大笑。

兩層樓的空間有四十多坪，除了鳥類，也有不少水族箱；第一次進門的客人會以為是茶藝館，因為室內裝潢頗為古色古香，愛鳥團體每個月固定在此舉辦活動，各自帶著心愛的鳥兒到店裡，交換養寵物的心得並欣賞對方的鳥兒。

「東區咖啡寵物主題餐廳」主要是提供現搾果汁、咖啡、中西式茶飲，每天也提供四到五種簡餐﹙180元﹚，皆附有蔬菜濃湯、沙拉、飲料和甜點。「紅酒燴牛肉」和「日式燒鰻魚」是目前最熱賣的餐點，與主人一同來店裡的鳥兒也有飼料吃，花少少的錢可以和自家寵物一起在餐廳用餐，別有一番趣味。

IS Tea Restaurant ﹙Sung-Jiang branch﹚ 竹里館松江店—禪風茶趣

IS Tea Restaurant ﹙Sung-Jiang branch﹚ 竹里館松江店—禪風茶趣
Hours / 營業時間
10:00 am – 10:00 pm ﹙Meal available from 11:30 am – 9:00 pm﹚
10:00 am – 10:00 pm ﹙餐點服務 11:30 am – 9:00 pm﹚
2F No.182 Sung-Jiang Road Taipei ﹙next to Gala Hotel﹚
台北市松江路182號2樓 ﹙慶泰飯店旁﹚
02-2567-8977
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.istea.com.tw

IS Tea Restaurant—Topnotch Tea Restaurant Offering only the Finest Tea

Years ago IS tea restaurant owner, Mr. Huang Hao-Ran had the chance to taste some of the finest tea as a college student. Ever since then he fell in love with Taiwanese tea and began his lifelong passion for tea culture. After graduation he started his own company and worked day and night. Furthermore he became addicted to drinking. The more money he made the worse his health deteriorated. The turning point was his decision to give up alcohol for tea. Soon after that he began studying tea culture in Taiwan and vowed to learn all there is to know about tea drinking. For almost 30 years Mr. Huang not only explored tea plantations but also was steeped into tea-making. He would like to promote Taiwanese tea culture to every corner on the island and eventually introduce tea, Taiwan’s best kept secret to the world.

IS tea restaurant has two locations-Sherwood and Sung-Jiang branches. The former was established in 1996 and it’s where Mr. Huang toasts fresh tealeaves into different flavors. Since most people in Taiwan prefer to have food while sipping tea Mr. Huang recruited chefs from various five star hotels and now Sung-Jiang branch introduces superb Chinese cuisines. Best yet is the tea cuisine, meaning that tea leaves are an important ingredient in the dishes. Many are bias toward tea cuisine because it’s usually bitter or tastes like blech. “Our tea cuisine is so delicious that it moves you to tears!” Mr. Huang said proudly. Gongbao tenderloin﹙NT480﹚is slightly spicy and the beef is awfully tender! Sauteed shrimps with Long-Jing tea﹙NT420﹚ is made of fresh shrimps and expensive Long-Jing tea that’s valued at NT6,000 per kilogram. Pork ribs cooked in Yun-Nan black tea﹙NT520﹚is a time consuming dish. It has to be boiled, cured, stewed and grilled. As you take the first bite you will want to keep it to yourself. Diced chicken cooked in black tea﹙NT320﹚is a stir-fry of chicken thighs and the meat is juicy! Skewers of fried mushrooms﹙NT320﹚is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It will make meat lovers fall in love with vegetarian tea cuisine!

After visiting IS tea restaurant many confess to finally sample the beauty of Taiwanese tea culture. Only the finest tea can be served and it is an eye opening experience. While sipping tea the aroma will take you by surprise and the tea is always crystal clear. Be sure to ask for hot water refill when your tea is down to the last 1/5 in the cup. You can do that five or six times and the tea will be as tasty as the first time! Desserts﹙NT90﹚and tea are complementary treats when you spend an afternoon catching up with friends at IS tea restaurant. Eastern beauty, Ali Mountain Gin-Shuen, Dong-King Oo-Long, High Mountain and deluxe house tea are some of the best known flavors. You can drink it before, during or after a meal. IS tea restaurant is a great place for tea drinking, tea cuisine and the best representative of tea culture in Taiwan! Next time when you have friends visiting from abroad, be sure to take them to IS tea restaurant to experience the full spectrum of Taiwanese tea and the best tea that Taiwan has to offer.

竹里館—不懂的茶不賣，只賣喜歡的茶之餐廳茶藝館

在一個偶然的機會接觸到上好的茶葉，竹里館館主黃浩然自學生時代就與台灣茶葉文化結下不解之緣。剛出社會時，因為工作的關係日夜顛倒、應酬喝酒而賠上了健康，從此開始喝茶，把台灣茶葉當成一門學問研究。將近三十年來，黃館主不但深入台灣茶葉生態，並鑽研茶葉的製作烘焙，希望將本土茶葉文化推廣到台灣的每一個角落，進而向全世界介紹台灣茶葉之真善美！

竹里館目前有兩個據點—西華店和松江店，前者歷史最悠久，同時也是黃館主烘焙毛茶的製茶所；鑒於大多消費者喜歡美食配好茶，松江店推出五星級飯店主廚水準的精緻料理。最受好評的茶葉料理破除大家過去對於以茶入菜的偏見，黃館主最引以為驕的是：「好吃到讓人感動！」宮保菲力﹙480元﹚的牛肉非常鮮嫩，帶點辣味適合下飯！龍井蝦仁﹙420元﹚以現剝鮮蝦和一斤3,000元的龍井茶葉快炒而成，滇紅子排﹙520元﹚經過滷、燻、煮、烤等繁複程序，咬一口之後就迫不及待想把整盤佔為己有，紅茶雞丁﹙320元﹚採用雞腿肉，快火熱炒後肉質甜美！紅茶玉串﹙320元﹚將洋菇水份壓乾再油炸，外酥內軟，是道絕佳的素食茶葉料理。

很多客人在竹里館喝茶之後才真正體驗到台灣茶藝之美，而這裡的茶湯清澈，不苦不澀，剩五分之一時，再加熱水，可以回沖五至六次，每回都一樣甘甜！喝茶搭配宮廷點心﹙90元﹚和朋友聊天更是享受！好茶講究色香味韻，竹里館的東方美人茶、阿里山金萱茶、凍頂烏龍茶、高山茶和私藏茶都是黃館主從茶區買回毛茶後加以烘焙，空腹喝也不傷胃。竹里館不但適合喝茶吃飯，更讓大家對於台灣茶葉與眾不同的認知；下次有外籍友人來訪，不妨一同來體驗本土茶葉文化，見識到台灣寶島的好茶！

Schwarzwald Deutsche 黑森林德式餐廳

Schwarzwald Deutsche 黑森林德式餐廳
Hours / 營業時間
Daily 11:30 am – 11:00 pm﹙last order by 9:00 pm﹚
每天 11:30 am – 11:00 pm﹙點餐最晚至9:00 pm﹚
02-2325-3506
No.10 Lane 112 Section 1 An-Ho Road Taipei
台北市安和路一段112巷10號一樓
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.swarzwald.com

黑森林德式餐廳經營者周淑英小姐曾旅居德國並在正統德國餐飲學校研習，菜單內容豐富，從德式濃湯、沙拉、開胃菜、地方家常菜、手工麵食、德式巧克力火鍋、各式德式蛋糕至德國啤酒和花草茶，即使沒有去過德國，在黑森林德式餐廳也能吃到道地的德國菜。

巴伐利亞香烤啤酒豬腳+德國酸菜+馬鈴薯泥﹙小盤500元/大盤660元﹚是大家最為熟悉的，豬腳必須先醃個五天，烤得皮脆肉嫩，食量小的可以單點豬腳﹙520元﹚；東德Q皮豬腳的料理方式不同，水煮的口感Q。搭配賽車手舒馬克最愛的華士坦黑麥啤酒﹙180元/330毫升﹚更加過癮！

媽媽派+馬鈴薯沙拉或蒜泥奶油飯或奶油手工麵+生菜沙拉﹙300元﹚是旅居台灣的德國人最常點的菜，雞肉、火腿和起士的夾層內餡很紮實，一刀畫開，香氣四溢!下午茶﹙180元；每天2:00 pm – 5:00 pm﹚有30多種手工德式蛋糕可以挑選，蘋果派搭配德國頂級花草茶是最受歡迎的組合。

邁入第15年的黑森林德式餐廳日前搬新家，用餐空間更寬闊、溫馨、舒適，有家的感覺。

Ms. Chou Shu-Ying, the owner of Schwarzwald Deutsche used to live in Germany and studied at an authentic German culinary school. The menu provides a wide variety of choices, from German soup, salad, appetizer, German specialties, handmade noodles, German chocolate fondue, German cakes and pastry to German beer and herbal tea. You won’t have to travel abroad for authentic German gourmet.

German pork knuckles with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes﹙small NT500/large NT600﹚is the most well known German dish. It takes five days to marinate the knuckles before grilling. It is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. A la carte﹙NT520﹚is available upon request for smaller appetite. In Eastern Germany knuckles are cooked differently. Steaming makes the texture softer and less greasy. While you’re at it order a glass of Warsteiner dark beer﹙NT180/330ml﹚ to go with your meal. The rumor has it that this is Formula One driver, Michael Schumacher’s favorite beer.

Chicken cordon bleu + potato salad or garlic butter rice + mixed salad﹙NT300﹚ is a common German family dish. The filling has three layers, chicken, ham and cheese. Once you cut it open the aroma of all three together makes it irresistible! Daily afternoon tea special ﹙NT180; 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm﹚is one piece of cake and one drink. Apple pie and German herbal tea is the most popular combo.

Schwarzwald Deutsche recently moved to a new location and will soon celebrate its 15th anniversary. The dining room is comfortable, cozy and more spacious. It feels like home.

Bianco Taipei

Bianco Taipei
Hours / 營業時間
Daily 11:30 am – 9:30 pm﹙last order by 8:30 pm﹚
每天 11:30 am – 9:30 pm﹙點餐最晚至8:30 pm﹚
02-2325-3655
No.19 Lane 112 Section 4 Ren-Ai Road Taipei
台北市仁愛路四段112巷19號
Credit Cards Accepted / No Service Charge 可刷卡 / 不收服務費
http://www.wretch.cc/mypage/biancotw1

Bianco是義大利文，指的是白色的意思，因此整間餐廳以白色為主要色調，老闆在香港和台灣兩地經營義大利的食材進口，橄欖油、醋、義大利麵、咖啡、紅白酒、礦泉水、巧克力等等；一直希望能夠以自家商品作料理開餐廳，同時也販售食材，目的是消費者吃過之後，便可採買相同食材回家如法炮製。基於對健康養生的要求，提供清爽不油膩的義氏料理，橄欖油和義大利麵皆為有機的，以自家商品研發菜色，每月更新調整菜單一至二次。

奶油黑松露蘆筍燉有機飯﹙310元﹚以進口義大利黑松露搭配台灣有機池上米，口感更勝一般義式燉飯。單點份量適中，也可搭配套餐，組合內容有湯、沙拉、飲料、義大利冰淇淋和蛋糕，以上任選兩樣加100元，三樣加150元，四樣加200元，全套加230元。

續隨子花雷鯷魚有機義大利麵﹙300元﹚將鯷魚炒到幾乎融化，香氣直接入味義大利麵。

義式冰淇淋﹙90元﹚的口味多達12種，草莓、藍莓、鳳梨、芒果皆是用新鮮水果和牛奶製作而成，脂肪含量比一般市售冰淇淋少，顏色鮮艷、口感濃郁，只吃一球是絕對不夠的。

Bianco means the color of white in Italian. Therefore the décor in Bianco is mainly white. From the front porch to the interior design it’s all white. The owner runs a business to import food ingredients from Italy in Hong Kong and Taiwan, ranging from olive oil, vinegar, pasta, coffee bean, red & white wine, and mineral water and chocolate and etc. Bianco was established for two reasons: 1. as a shop to sell Italian food ingredients and 2. as a restaurant to provide Italian cuisine by using all the in-house products. That way if the customers really like a dish they can ask for the recipe, buy the ingredients at Bianco and hopefully duplicate it at home. You’ll find most dishes nutritional, healthy and less greasy than most Italian restaurants. Bianco only uses organic olive oil in cooking and serves organic pasta. The menu is updated once or twice a month based on creations developed by in house staff.

Organic risotto with black truffle in cream sauce﹙NT310﹚is different than any risotto you’ve ever had. Italian black truffle and Taiwanese top grain-organic Chi-Shang rice is a hearty choice and good for your health too. The portion as a la carte is medium. If you’re looking to get a set meal there are many ways to do it. You can choose from soup, salad, drink, gelato and cake; pick any two from the above will be additional NT100, choose 3 will be another NT150, 4 will be NT200 and all of the above will be additional NT230.

Puttanesca﹙NT300﹚is to stir fry anchovy until it literally melts and the aroma blends into organic pasta. It is a unique Bianco’s creations.

Gelato﹙NT90﹚is available in 12 flavors. Strawberry, blueberry, pineapple and mango are made from fresh fruit and milk. The fat content is less than most ice cream and yet it’s colorful and creamy. You’ll be asking for more after the first scoop!

Diana & Howard's Wedding + After Party

Life is grand when you're having a good time!

My Friend Charles Mack 我的朋友巧克力

Charles Mack, also known as Chocolate, is my friend. In fact he was the very first friend I made when I began working at ICRT. It was my first day on the job and I met him and Ron as I walked past the FM studio. He came up to me and introduced himself as Chocolate. “Are you for real or do you degrade yourself to be funny?” I couldn’t understand why a black man would call himself Chocolate as if we couldn’t tell that he’s black. C’mon do I have to call myself Banana so that people know that I’m Asian?!

He told me that once appearing on a local TV show he met 文英阿姨 who had trouble remembering his name as Charles Mack﹙查理馬克﹚in Chinese. So she took the liberty to name him something that’s simple, catchy and easy to remember. Believe it or not it was Chocolate that made him famous.

We got along great upon our first encounter. I don’t remember what I said exactly but I’ll never forget what he said before leaving work that morning, “You’re such a DIVA! You should be on the radio.”

Till this day I’m grateful for Chocolate for he saw potential in me when I didn’t know that showbiz is in my blood. He would invite me to host events with him outside of the station and would ask me to be his sidekick on the radio.

Chocolate was never openly gay. Homosexuality is something he never talked about. He introduced his gay friends to me and we would hit the gay clubs for drinks and dance the night away. Everyone in the club seemed to know him well.

In the late 90s he used to come to work with a high school boy. He was pale, clean cut, tall and slender. He drove a white BMW. When we hosted events around the island there’s always a young boy waiting for us when we finished work. He would bring us food and drinks but never really said much. He was awfully quiet. I never asked Chocolate about his relationship with these young boys. It’s really none of my business. I figure if he wanted to talk about it he would say something. Nonetheless I always knew that young boys, from late teens to early 20s, are his cup of tea.

I don’t know what people think of Chocolate. To me he’s funny, optimistic, and warm and says the nicest things to me. He’s confident and tries to make people happy when they are around him. When we’re together it’s a nonstop laugh riot. He’s not perfect but he means well. I can never thank him enough for showing me the way into the world of broadcasting. He was so certain that I was born to be a personality. If it weren’t for Chocolate maybe there would never be DIVA on the radio. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Charles Mack!

Mini Second Floor

Mini Second Floor Café 小貳樓餐廳
Hours / 營業時間
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm; Friday – Sunday 8:00 am – 9:30 pm﹙last order by 9:00 pm﹚
週一至週四 11:00 am – 9:30 pm; 週五至週日 8:00 am – 9:30 pm﹙最晚點餐至九點﹚
No.73-1 Jouzih Street Neihu District Taipei
台北市內湖區洲子街73-1號
02-2659-2058
Credit Cards Accepted / 10% Service Charge 可刷卡 / 一成服務費
www.2floor.com.tw

Within 18 months a young man nearly 30 years old not only made his dream come true but also expanded it. Second Floor Café is a prosperous restaurant since day one without advertising. Mini Second Floor Café opened for business in Neihu in the midst of the worst time for high-tech industry. Ironically enough it’s been fully booked everyday from morning to evening. As you walk into this 4-story building the country interior design makes you feel cozy as if you’re at home. If you envy people in western countries where outside dining is readily available you may go up to the rooftop and enjoy dining in the patio.

Mini Second Floor Café is an American style restaurant. Therefore the portion is more than enough. The extensive menu includes appetizer, sandwiches, hamburgers, pasta, flavor rice and entrée. Brunch and kids meal are available all day long. In fact kids meals are always the first to be served so that parents can feed their children before getting their own meal.

A. The latest addition to the menu is Mexican Burrito﹙NT230﹚and it comes in three choices: grilled shrimps, smoked chicken and Bratwurst. A bit of salsa and jalapeno will make anyone who loves spicy food a happy camper.

B. Focaccia sandwich﹙NT220﹚can be made with salmon, smoked chicken and vegetables. It comes with a side dish of French fries, potato sticks or hash browns. If you have a big appetite for NT90 more you can upgrade it to a set meal with daily soup, bread and a drink. Mini Second Floor Café is confident that you’ll never go hungry when you’re here.

短短一年半之內，一個不到三十歲的年輕人實踐夢想，而且還將它擴大。貳樓餐廳從開幕第一天，連廣告都沒打，客人就絡繹不絕的上門。挑在科技業最不景氣的時候，小貳樓餐廳在內湖成立，從早到晚訂位滿滿。一走進門，鄉村風格的室內裝潢，加上獨棟的建築和閣樓的設計，非常溫馨，讓人有在自家的悠閒舒適。喜歡享受戶外用餐的不妨坐在屋頂的露天陽台，感覺像在國外。

小貳樓餐廳強調是美式餐廳，因此份量大的驚人，豐富的菜單有開胃菜、沙拉、三明治、漢堡、義大利麵、風味飯、和主菜，全天供應早午餐，更貼心的提供兒童餐，只要是家庭聚餐，兒童餐必定是第一個上桌，讓爸媽先把小孩餵飽之後，就可以慢慢享受自己的餐點。

A. 最新推出的墨西哥貝里托捲﹙230元﹚有鮮蝦、燻雞肉和德式香腸等口味，搭配莎莎醬和墨西哥辣椒，適合愛吃辣的朋友。

B. 弗卡夏三明治﹙220元﹚可選鮭魚、燻雞肉或素食鮮蔬，附食有薯條、薯塊或薯餅三選一。另加90元，可升級套餐，多一份濃湯、麵包和飲料。如此物超所值的美式餐點只怕你不上門，絕不怕你吃不飽！