August 30, 2016

Taipei, Taiwan: National Palace Museum; things to do

National Palace Museum in Taipei

Sun-Thur 8:30am-5:30pm, F-Sat 8:30am-9pm; NT$250.  Garden:  Tu-Sun 8:30am-5:30pm; NT$20; free with museum admission.

Built like a fortress, the fully modernized National Palace Museum has a massive concrete courtyard surrounded by trees.  The collection spans China’s 5,000-year-history and is the world’s largest of Chinese art.  Some of the 696,000 pieces in the permanent collection date back 10,000 years to the Neolithic age, and only 3,000 pieces are on display.

The museum was founded in 1925 in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, from which it derives its name, and it was then part of the Chinese emperor’s collection.  Items were moved to Taiwan in 1933 to escape war damage.  Additional precious objects were sent here during the civil war in China in 1948.

The tourists come in droves, so arrive early on a weekday if you can.  There is both a ticket line and a security line.  Backpacks must be checked, and no photos are permitted.  An audio tour is recommended but not always available.  Most signs are written in both traditional Chinese and English.  Most group tours move through the museum’s three floors quickly, but if on your own allow three to four hours.

The museum’s crown jewel is a piece of carved jade in the shape of a Chinese cabbage, with details like tiny carved insects on its leaf.  The other must-see item is the revered “Meat-Shaped Stone,” a 200-year-old sculpture carved from jasper stone into the shape of Dongpo pork.  It reminded me of a hunk of bacon.  Be forewarned.  Both of these items are very small, about the size of a fist, and the lines to see them are very long.

Three restaurants are on site.  Note that this museum is away from downtown Taipei and not directly accessible by the subway.


entrance to National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
entrance to National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan


Meat-Shaped Stone souvenir at National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
Meat-Shaped Stone souvenir at National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan


   
More things to do in Taipei.

More things to do in Taiwan.

More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

   
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 26, 2016

Taipei, Taiwan: Regent Taipei; hotel review

Regent Taipei  

No. 3, Ln. 39, Sec. 2 ZhongShan N. Rd., Taipei 104, +886-2-2523-8000.  5-stars; 530+ rooms.  Heated rooftop pool; fitness center; full-service spa.  8 restaurants. 

Well-situated at the heart of town amid vibrant cultural, entertainment, and shopping areas, the luxury Regent Taipei hotel has its own Regent Galleria shopping mall, which is home to 50-plus luxury designer boutiques.  Guest rooms are spacious and luxurious, each with a comfortable pressure-relieving mattress and selection of pillows as well as a marble bathroom with a deep bathtub and separate shower.  Lovely orchid arrangements enhance the sleek public decor.  The high-ceilinged breakfast room and expansive buffet are extraordinary, with something to please everyone.  


orchids in lobby at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
orchids in lobby at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


marble bathroom at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
marble bathroom at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


view 1 from guest room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
view 1 from guest room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


view 2 from guest room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
view 2 from guest room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


breakfast room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
breakfast room at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


egg station at breakfast buffet at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
egg station at breakfast buffet at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


Berliners at breakfast buffet at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
Berliners at breakfast buffet at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


breakfast buffet plate 1 at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
breakfast buffet plate 1 at Regent Taipei in Taiwan


breakfast buffet plate 2 at Regent Taipei in Taiwan
breakfast buffet plate 2 at Regent Taipei in Taiwan




More things to do in Taipei.

More things to do in Taiwan.

More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

   
            
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 24, 2016

Taipei, Taiwan: Yu Shan Ge; restaurant review

Yu Shan Ge in Taipei

1F, No. 14, Beiping E Rd, 02-2394-5155. 

Beautifully appointed and decorated, upscale Yu Shan Ge restaurant aims for perfection in serving an accomplished and lovely vegetarian Kaiseki Cuisine.  Dairy and egg products can be eliminated upon request.  Black satin tablecloths and matching bibs are provided, probably because the well-to-do people who come here want to protect their expensive clothes.  Presentations are stellar, with some items being enhanced by flowers, plants, or burl-wood platters.  

ordering from menu at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
ordering from menu at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


In the interest of good health, no alcohol is served.  For my drink, I chose orange juice.

orange juice at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
orange juice at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


My set meal, which cost approximately US$65 and included nine courses,

menu at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
menu at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


began with a finger bowl that looked good enough to eat,

finger bowl at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
finger bowl at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


and continued with:
1-creamy chestnut and red dates soup with truffle

chestnut-red dates soup at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
chestnut-red dates soup at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


chestnut-red dates soup at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
chestnut-red dates soup at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


2-elaborate cold appetizer plate decorated with konjac sashimi, yam, perilla, gingko berries, and various vegetable delicacies

appetizer plate at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
appetizer plate at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


3-white sesame cashew balls with crispy lotus root batter

white sesame cashew balls at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
white sesame cashew balls at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


4-stewed green bamboo horn covered in miso sauce and fresh pine nuts

green bamboo horn at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
green bamboo horn at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


5-cup of vintage rice drinking vinegar mixed with herbs and red date

rice drinking vinegar at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
rice drinking vinegar at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


6-hericium mushroom filet (grilled, then baked) served with curry sauce, fresh seasonal vegetables, and boiled corn

hericium mushroom filet at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
hericium mushroom filet at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


7-rice ball with red yeast

rice ball with red yeast at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
hericium mushroom filet at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


8-herbal soup broth with fresh mushrooms, bamboo sprouts, and red dates

herbal soup broth at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
herbal soup broth at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


9-dessert with fresh fruit

dessert with fresh fruit at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
dessert with fresh fruit at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan


Someone in my group commented about how we were served too much food.  I felt we were presented just the right amount and was impressed that such a refined vegetarian meal could be so filling, especially with no bread or alcohol.  Overall, this was a divine dinner in lovely surroundings. 

decor at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
decor at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan



More things to do in Taipei.

More things to do in Taiwan.


August 18, 2016

Taipei, Taiwan: Noodle House; restaurant review

Noodle House in Taipei

(phonetic name:  Tian Xia San Jue)  No. 3, Lane 27, Section 4, Ren Ai Rd. 

Sleek Noodle House restaurant features Swarovski crystal light fixtures and serves an extraordinary version of daily Taiwanese food.  It is one of the most expensive restaurants in town for beef noodle soup, and one of the best.  Normally a bowl of soup would cost TD200/US$7, but here it is TD500/US$18 and described by a local as “the most delicious fresh noodles in the world.”  This local told me that the cooks here put their love and passion into making the noodles and other dishes, and that he loves the noodle soup in this shop “very, very much.”  Bowls of soup come as a package that includes a platter of marinated foods—including seaweed, tofu, and eggs—and a glass of red wine.  

exterior of Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
exterior of Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


interior of Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
interior of Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


Swarovski crystal light fixture at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
Swarovski crystal light fixture at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


kitchen at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
kitchen at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


appetizer plate at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
appetizer plate at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


appetizer plate at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
appetizer plate at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan


beef noodle soup at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan
beef noodle soup at Noodle House in Taipei, Taiwan





images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 16, 2016

Taipei, Taiwan: The Sherwood Taipei; hotel review

The Sherwood Taipei  

No.111, Sec.3, Min Sheng East Road, +886-2-2718-1188.  4 restaurants; 1 bar.  Fitness room with pool and sauna; full-service spa.  

This well-situated 5-star luxury boutique hotel features an English flair, with posh rooms, comfy beds, and marble bathrooms.  At The Sherwood Taipei you get the full Japanese toilet experience with a heated seat, a huge deep bathtub, and a scale covered with a cozy—a first for me!  Though the breakfast buffet occurs in a subterranean room without windows, it is brightly lit, nicely decorated, and provides an impressive spread—including what just might be the best chocolate croissants in Taiwan.

lobby floral arrangement at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
lobby floral arrangement at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan


view from guest room at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
view from guest room at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan

 
bathroom at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
bathroom at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan


scale in cozy at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
scale in cozy at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan


breakfast room buffet at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
breakfast room buffet at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan


honeycomb display in breakfast room at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan
honeycomb display in breakfast room at The Sherwood Taipei in Taiwan






images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 11, 2016

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Arunee Thai; restaurant review

Arunee Thai  

78-23 37th Ave., (718) 205-5559. 

Dressed in weathered wood and colorful fabrics, this new kid on the block presents a fresh food face in the neighborhood for Thai cuisine.  Standard lunch specials at Arnee Thai are available as well as a lunch box (sort of like a big bento box), which includes smaller portions but more variety.  The unusual Mussamun curry with coconut milk, avocado, onions, roasted peanuts, and zucchini is a popular dish, but don’t miss the tasty pra ram rong soang (broccoli with peanut sauce), pad see eiw (flat rice noodles with egg and broccoli), pad kra praow (spicy basil with chili and garlic), tom yum soup (with lemongrass and mushrooms), and Panang curry (with coconut milk, basil, and string beans).  For many items you can choose either a meat or vegetarian tofu option.  Cocktails are on the menu along with my preferred fresh coconut juice or Thai iced tea in a trendy Mason jar, and they are the perfect accompaniment.  

interior of Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
interior of Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


salad and Thai iced tea at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
salad and Thai iced tea at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


tom yum soup at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
tom yum soup at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


pra ram rong soang (broccoli with peanut sauce) at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
pra ram rong soang (broccoli with peanut sauce) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


pad see eiw (flat rice noodles) at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
pad see eiw (flat rice noodles) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


pad kra praow (spicy basil with chili and garlic) at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
pad kra praow (spicy basil with chili and garlic) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC


Panang curry with tofu at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC
Panang curry with tofu at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC



 
More things to do in Jackson Heights.

More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


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