il Giardino Romantico

春節假期在台中的最後一天，與友人約好時間碰面。因為在台中沒車實在很麻煩，但我與友人居住地方又相差太遠，靈機一動我想到家裡附近有一間這樣的地方，一直想造訪卻一直沒機會。這樣有車的友人可以直接開來我家，在步行過去。不用煩惱接送問題，時間上也很充裕，可以聊天聊地～

On the last day of my stay in Taichung, I made an appointment to see a friend of mine. It's rather inconvenient to get around Taichung without a vehicle, and my friend does live in a completely different direction from where I live. So I came up with the idea that we could try the place near my place, she could drive to mine, then walk to the place. We'd have the entire afternoon and early evening to catch up on things. 

In Taiwan, it's really difficult to find 'authentic' Thai food, unless you find a restaurant opened for Thai expats. Ordinarily, these restaurants are simply a room, with chairs and tables, and a kitchen of course. Even though from the outside, they may not seem like the best places for dining, mind you, they probably have the most delicious and authentic Thai dishes. 

In terms of the ordinary franchises we see, my family had come to the conclusion that Thai Town has the closest taste to what we consider 'authentic' Thai. Can this trip survive the taste buds of a family who'd lived in Thailand for a long time? Let's take a look at what some of our must-order dishes are. 

在台灣，除非找到專門服務泰籍朋友的餐廳，否則要吃到道地的泰國菜實在很難。所謂的專門服務泰籍朋友的餐廳，通常就只是很普通的一個空間，擺了桌椅，有廚房。從外部看來其實一點都不具吸引力，但這些地方的泰國菜，可能是非常道地的喔！

This is the part 2 I'd told you about. It's not the same meal. We went there again and ordered different things. But as I used two different cameras, you can probably tell that I'm more used to my own camera, as the outcome is a lot clearer! So sometimes, it's not the person... but the equipment that affects the result!

這就是我之前提到的趴兔。不是同一餐。是我們又跑來一次，然後點了不同的東西。不過因為這兩篇用的圖是兩台不同的相機拍出來的，應該可以很明顯的看出兩者的差異！不是另外一台相機不好，是我比較習慣自己的。所以哩，有時候不是人的問題，而是工具的問題啊～～

Why is this only part 1 of 2? Like I said in the last article, I ended up eating so many meals of Japanese cuisine, that two of them were in the same restaurant! But don't worry, you'll get to see different things in these two different articles. 

為什麼這個會有兩篇呢？因為我上篇說過，這個年假吃好多日本料理。結果兩餐其實是在同一間餐廳！不過別擔心，兩篇貼的圖都不一樣！所以還是會很精采！

After a splendid meal at home, we spent the next few days dining out. Fortunate, or unfortunate, I ended up eating so many meals of Japanese food. Here's one that's located not far from our house. It's very Taiwanese, but the food's great. 

在家吃完了豐盛的一餐之後，接著我們就一直外食。我該高興嗎？因為最後我竟然吃了好多餐日本料理。生魚片吃到快吐了（可是還沒吐，我還要繼續吃）。這間箱根就在我們家附近。他其實是一間很台的日本料理。但是我覺得還不錯啦！

We ordered three combo meals to share among the four of us (one of us was absent from this meal). We asked them to serve the same dishes together, as we were sharing them. 

Lesson One - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So, if you happened to miss breakfast, have brunch instead.

Lesson One（第一課）：早餐是一天中最重要的一餐。所以不小心錯過的話，就改吃早午餐。

It all started because of the Alumni Reunion Luncheon held by Tunghai University. A few friends decided to take this opportunity to have our own class reunion the night before the luncheon, where we could enjoy good food, good beer, and good company. And it happened to be the Halloween weekend.

This is just your imagination. It's not real!
這一切都是幻覺。這不是真的！！

You're probably wondering what the caption of that first picture meant. Well, if you read on, you'll probably understand. 

I went to this restaurant with a friend of mine prior to my second trip to the UK.  It was actually a random choice, and being here on a weekday, meant we got a pretty good deal on the meals.

這是我第二次出發到英國之前與朋友的一次午餐約會。雖然是臨時的決定，不過因為是非假日，所以我覺得還挺划算的。

I think many Taiwanese will be familiar with this restaurant. Some of you are probably even frequent patrons. I, however, don't come here often. The reason is because I'm not quite sure how to categorize this type of cuisine. 

我想這間大家應該都不陌生。或許讀者們有些甚至比我還要常光顧。我來過的次數大概不超過五根手指頭（頂多三次）。不是食物不好吃，是我實在不知道該怎麼去定義這樣的料理。

After our much satisfying but energy-consuming bike ride, we both got really hungry.  We had a small argument, because my friend wanted me to decide which restaurant to dine in. There were so many of them around, and each one of them seemed so similar to each other, I just couldn't decide on which one to go with! Finally, I gave up deciding, and we just picked one we happened to be standing next to. There is nothing more intriguing than the surprisingly pleasant results when you act spontaneously. This restaurant will always be remembered as 'the restaurant' of Sun Moon Lake, and you shall see why.

滿足的騎完單車之後，體力也差不多用盡了。肚子當然也就餓了。此時我們有了一點小爭執。因為我朋友希望我決定要在哪間餐廳用餐。可是一路上那麼多間雷同的餐廳，是要我如何做抉擇呢？最後，我終於放棄了。於是就走進當時離我們最靠近的一間。不過有的時候這種突發行為衍生出來的結果，常常會讓你感到更驚奇。這間餐廳在我們心中將永遠是＂日月潭的那間餐廳＂。

I remember feeling dubious about starting a new life in Taichung. Although I'd lived here for four years during uni, and I liked the place a lot, I had been unsure about living here. After a while, I really started to like it here. I have friends here. Friends I could meet up with regularly. Even friends from up north and down south find it easier to meet here, half way in between. This was one of the dinners that had no agenda, but just a simple reunion of old friends. I'd actually been here once before, but unfortunately without my camera. This time, I made sure my camera was ready. This way, I get to share with everyone.

記得當開始對台中的新生活感到非常的困惑。雖然大學時代曾再這住過四年，但還是對於在這裡生活感到非常的不安。過了一陣子之後，我發現我非常喜歡這裡的生活。因為我在這有許多朋友，可以常常碰面。即使北部與南部的朋友，也覺得在中部見面不是一件難事。這天這餐沒有什麼特別的目的。存脆是老朋友的聚會。雖然來過一次，但第一次沒帶相機。這次爲了要與大家分享，有確定相機在身上才出門。

I haven't a clue why it's called 'Naked' Cafe. Everyone, including waiters, waitresses, and customers all seem to be fully dressed. I guess it's something I'll never understand. But that's not important, really. The point is, the food is pretty good. We had come here for a petite reunion with our fellow mates from Liverpool.  It was actually a spur of the moment choice to come here, but it turned out to be a pleasant experience. 

不知道為什麼尼克咖啡的英文要教＂Naked＂？因為大家（包括服務員跟顧客）都有穿衣服啊！（naked：赤裸）。不過這不重要。重點是食物很不錯。我們這天來到這裡是爲了一個小型的利大校友聚會。其實決定來這裡是最後一秒才決定的。不過最後這決定好像還不錯呀。

Night market is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Taiwan. People travel from across oceans just to take a peek at what all the fuss is about.  In an ordinary night market, you can find all sorts of things, from your everyday necessities, to strange and unusual items.  But the most attractive aspect of it to the locals, is actually the food.  A plethora of Taiwanese local delicacies can be found in any night market.  However, only the experts know which stall to go to, and which ones to avoid.  But do keep in mind, that night market food is not always made for the light-hearted.  

[本段無翻譯]

This is a night market close to where I live. The unique thing about this particular one, is that you can only find food here.  You won't be able to find clothes or other items here.  Nonetheless, the various stalls sometimes offer the same things. How can people choose which one to go to? Well, perhaps this article may help.

We were actually here for a 'meeting'.  Since our boss was a very generous person, that's why we could often combing pleasure with work. This explains why this is the venue for our meeting.  However, I did have a very strange feeling about the place and especially the meals served here... 

其實這天我們是來開會的。不過因為天仙的老闆實在是個天大好人，所以開會的同時，也讓我們享用美味餐點。雖然說是＂美味＂餐點，不過其實天仙到了這裡卻是有一種非常難以言語的矛盾感覺。

This is one of the bigger reunions of the mates that had freshly graduated from Liverpool Uni.  The ones who had chosen the venue, of course, was a local.  That's why I had an opportunity to come to a fancy restaurant such as this.

這是各位利物浦的同學返台後第一次屬於比較大型的聚會。地點當然是在地內行人找的，天仙才會有機會來到這麼有格調的餐廳用餐啦！雖然與朋友聚會，通常天仙都把重點放在＂人＂上面，不過這次無論是地點、餐點、或是＂人＂都非常令人難忘耶！

Does this chandelier make you think that I'm back in Europe?  Well, this was actually taken in Taiwan. No mistake. Rose House is a popular tea house famous for their so-called 'English style' tea.  When we decided to come here, all spotlight was on me.  As I had just recently returned from the UK, they were all dying to find out what I'd think of it.  The truth is, this is so close to my old uni, but throughout the four years of college life, I had not set foot here even once.  I think they've refurbished recently, and now I will never know what it was like before... 

看到這個吊燈有沒有產生一種我又回到英國的錯覺呢！？其實這的確是在台灣拍攝的。地點就在知名的古典玫瑰園。我們決定要來這之後，一群人開始對我施壓。畢竟剛從英國回來，大家都想知道我對這間超有名氣的玫瑰園評價如何。其實這間總店就在我們大學附近。可是唸書那四年我一步都沒踏進來過。連他們什麼時候改建的我也不知道。（因為跟我印象中的外觀不一樣）。這樣一來我也永遠都不會知道原本的玫瑰園長什麼樣子了～

Along the whole of Yishu Street, there are all kinds of unique restaurants and cafes.  Some of them are well noted by their interior design, others by their food and drinks.  I thought this cafe should be acknowledged for both! Just by their name, they stand out from all the others - Yestoday.

整條藝術街，每一間都是非常具有特色的餐廳。有些是裝潢特別，有的是食物出色。不過天仙覺得這間餐廳，無論是食物，或是裝潢擺設都很有特色。就連店名也取的很妙—Yestoday。