News: where to find Thanksgiving in Taipei 2016

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even this year has been a bit overwhelming and we don't know what is going to happen the next year (or four), I do still have a lot to be grateful for. I was able to travel to Paris, Guam, Tokyo, Toba, Tainan and Osaka, all for the first time (except Tokyo which I had visited once before). I was able to spend time with my parents and family in New York, Boston and LA, and hang out with my sister in Japan and Taipei, even if it was brief. I also have a lot of exciting things in the works that I hope to be able to share with you soon. I was able to work behind the scenes as a Taipei fixer for Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations and the Culinary Institute of America's World of Flavors series, which will hopefully showcase what we already know, which is how amazing Taiwan is as a destination for good eats. 

But the next few days, some of us will be on the hunt for turkey. So here is a list of places for where to find Thanksgiving in Taipei. If you have a restaurant or know of one that's also doing Thanksgiving, please include it below and I'll include it on my next list!

TEXAS ROADHOUSE 德州鮮切牛

Songgao (02)2725-1030

Mingsheng (02) 2718-3011

https://m.facebook.com/TexasRoadhouseTWN/

(NT$799 turkey plate, sides, soup or salad with drink until 11/24. I got to try this and it was pretty delicious and filling!! See the first photo. First 30 customers to mention "hungryintaipei" get a free keychain.😊)

PIG AND PEPPER 

(02) 2708-7899
https://www.facebook.com/pigandpeppertaipei

WHALENS 

(02) 2739-3037
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whalens-味鄰/320813964677441

BABA KEVIN's BBQ 

0800-887-427
https://www.facebook.com/88kbbq
(I heard there will be turducken this weekend!) 

SPOT TAIPEI 

(02) 2775-4117

https://m.facebook.com/spot.taipei/

GALERIE BISTRO 

02-2558-0096

https://m.facebook.com/galeriebistro/

CAFE BY JUICY DIARY 

(02)2708-0802

https://m.facebook.com/cafebyjuicydairy/

LE BLANC

(02) 2700-7770

http://m.facebook.com/leblanctaipei/

(All you can eat prime rib for NT$2000!) 

CARNEGIE's 

(02) 2325-4433
https://www.facebook.com/carnegiestaipei

RUE 216 

02-2711-3450

https://m.facebook.com/Rue216/

ON TAP 

(02) 2741-5365
http://www.ontaptaipei.com

ED's DINER

 (02) 8502-6969
https://www.facebook.com/EdsDinerTaipei

BALD FATTY BISTRO

(02)2921-1367

https://m.facebook.com/baldfatty/

GRANDMA NITTI's KITCHEN

 (02) 2369-9751
https://www.facebook.com/grandmanittiskitchen

CORNER OFFICE 

(02) 2775-3637

https://m.facebook.com/cornerofficetaipei/

GRAND HYATT HOTEL BUFFET

 (02) 2720 1234
https://www.facebook.com/GrandHyattTaipei

AMERICAN CLUB
https://www.americanclub.org.tw/news/

JAKE's COUNTRY KITCHEN 

(02)2871-5289

https://m.facebook.com/鄉香西餐廳-Jakes-Country-Kitchen-360274272354

BEER AND CHEESE 

(02) 2737-1983

https://m.facebook.com/beerandcheese/

The last few years I've been ordering whole turkey to carve at home and make my favorite sides like candied yams and cornbread. If you want to order a cooked whole turkey or ham for Christmas, please check out my round up from a few years ago. Some good options are Lawrys, Sherwood, Ed's Diner and Costco even had frozen Butterball turkeys this year. If you're not a turkey person, you could considered rounding up a group for roast duck, which would be fitting for celebrating Thanksgiving in Asia. 

my kitchen: Thanksgiving leftovers turkey soup

I looked up a bunch of recipes on how to make turkey soup with my thanksgiving leftovers and everyone single one described the first step being that you make stock from the bones. I was too impatient to simmer for hours and make a stock and then make the soup, so I just made it one pot soup, adding carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, salt, pepper to the turkey carcass and water, then some pasta, alternated boiling and simmering, and it was ready in an hour. The secret is adding one can of tomato paste to give it that depth quickly. I also cooked some quinoa separately and added that in whenever I made a bowl for myself. Winter has finally hit Taipei this week, so this is the perfect meal.

One pot thanksgiving soup

Scooped in the quinoa before stirring it in 

where can you find... thanksgiving turkey in Taipei 2014?

photo by Pig and Pepper

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even though no one gets the day/weekend off in Taipei for Thanksgiving, my stomach still starts to crave a little turkey with candied yams this time of year. There's nothing like a plate of a pile of homemade sides with juicy turkey, but the next best thing is a hot plate with no need to clean up in the kitchen.

This year I made salted caramel apple pie pops for the first time! It wasn't as difficult or as time consuming as I thought it would be, of course since I used some short cuts like boxed pie crust and a pink pie pop machine I picked up last summer back in LA when it was on sale. Warming myself up to making a whole apple pie.

Here's a few places to call up if you decide you want to have some turkey today in Taipei. If you have a restaurant or know of one that's also doing Thanksgiving, please include it below and I'll include it on my next list!

PIG AND PEPPER (02) 2708-7899
https://www.facebook.com/pigandpeppertaipei

WHALENS (02) 2739-3037
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whalens-味鄰/320813964677441

SHAFFER's KITCHEN (02) 8789-4088
https://www.facebook.com/ShaffersKitchen

BABA KEVIN's BBQ 0800-887-427
https://www.facebook.com/88kbbq

DAN RYAN's (02) 8780-9393
https://www.facebook.com/danryans.taipei

CARNEGIE's (02) 2325-4433
https://www.facebook.com/carnegiestaipei?rf=114277051920753

ON TAP (02) 2741-5365
http://www.ontaptaipei.com

ED's DINER (02) 8502-6969
https://www.facebook.com/EdsDinerTaipei

GRANDMA NITTI's KITCHEN (02) 2369-9751
https://www.facebook.com/grandmanittiskitchen

GRAND HYATT HOTEL BUFFET (02) 2720 1234
https://www.facebook.com/GrandHyattTaipei

AMERICAN CLUB
https://www.americanclub.org.tw/news/

The last few years I've been ordering whole turkey to carve at home and make my favorite sides like candied yams and cornbread. If you want to order a cooked whole turkey or ham for Christmas, please check out my round up from a few years ago.

And even if you don't have turkey this year, take a moment in our crazy lives to think about who and what we are grateful for and share a meal with your loved ones.

news/restaurant roundup: where can you find... Thanksgiving in Taipei 2012?

I'm thinking about turkey already. When I first moved back to Taipei over seven years ago (!), one of the holidays I missed most was Thanksgiving. It is really one of the holidays I remember celebrating with my family growing up, and our meals were always a unique American _and_ Chinese spread on the table... turkey stuffed with sticky glutinous rice (my mom's recipe), stir fried green beans sweetened with sugar and soy sauce (my dad's recipe), my favorite candied sweet potatoes, or creamed corn out of the can (my sister and my contribution as kids). Ha ha.

Being apart from my parents and family in Taipei for this holiday, I always tried to figure out how to capture the experience away from home, not always succeeding, especially since I didn't know where to find it. (Anyone seen Stovetop stuffing boxes or cornbread mix in Taipei?) Now I have a great group of family and friends to share the night with, and I take a moment to remember to be grateful for them and all that I have in my life.

So whether you just moved to Taipei, happen to be here on a business trip, or are just craving some turkey, here's a round up of options for you and yours. Some pricing may vary, had to base it on last year's pricing for some.

DINE IN-
Make your reservations now and if you pick buffet style, show up early to make sure you get enough turkey. Some restaurants offer turkey dinners throughout the weekend.

CARNEGIES
DAN RYANS
GRAND HYATT TAIPEI (buffet)
ROBIN's GRILL
THE TAVERN
GRANDMA NITTI'S
BRASS MONKEY
Check last year's Taipei Times article for details on the above restaurants.


TOAST BAR (02) 2737-0037

• $480 lunch/ $580 dinner. Available Thursday and Friday
• Manhattan clam chowder soup, roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, sausages, vegetable casserole, cranberry sauce and cranberry cheese pie

SHAFFER'S KITCHEN (02) 8789-4088

• $1,000/adult, $500/child. Discounts available for reservations of 8 or more. Turkey dinner available 11/22-25
• Roasted fresh Taiwan turkey (from carved turkey, seconds allowed), with potato dinner roll, spinach gorgonzola candied walnut salad, stuffing, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, orange cranberry sauce, spicy roasted sweet potato, crispy shallot string beans, herbal butter corn on the cob, pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream and spicy hot apple cider.

LOFT BISTRO and WINE BAR (02) 2766-1682

• $950 ($900 with Advance Ticket)
• Citrus & Thyme Rubbed Roasted Turkey & Gravy, Sage, Sausage, Fennel Stuffing, Roasted Squash & Apple Green Salad,  Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce, Buttery Peas, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Hot Spinach Dip & Pickle Plate, Pumpkin Pie with Bourbon CreamPLUS One glass of white wine, red wine or beer

ON TAP (02) 2741-5365

• NT$700
• Roast Turkey Meal - Stuffing, Mashed Potato, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Green Beans, Corn-on-the-cob, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Soup, Homemade Pumpkin Pie, with 1 bottled beer or glass of red/white wine

TO GO -
A great option so that you can have that turkey carving experience and make some of your sides on your own. For most, at least 3 days advance notice and available until the end of December. (And thank you Google Translator and no thanks to hotels that don't put their info in English)

GRAND FORMOSA REGENT- AZIE BUN
WESTIN TAIPEI
JAKE's COUNTRY KITCHEN
BRASS MONKEY

Check last year's Taipei Times article for details on the above restaurants.

CAESAR PARK- CHECKERS (02) 2311-5150, ext 2237 and 2238

• Roasted turkey (5kg) NT$3,000 or (7kg) NT$4,000- Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, Meat Sauce, Cranberry Sauce, Brussels Sprouts, Caesar Salad, Sweet Potato and French Bread. 10 percent discount for orders over NT$5000.

COSTCO

• Roasted turkey $1999
• Pumpkin pies

DAN RYAN'S (02) 8780-9393

• Order 6 days in advance
  
• Whole roast turkeys for NT$2900 (with cranberry sauce and gravy), NT$3900
  (with cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes), or NT$4900 (with cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes) 

ED's DINER (02) 8502-6969 

• $3500 (order by 11/17)
•  Roasted turkey (12-14 pounds) and a sweet potato pie

FLORIDA BAKERY (02) 2702-1175

• Roasted Turkey (10-12 pounds) NT$2,480
• Roasted Turkey (16-18 pounds) NT$3,680
• Roasted Turkey w/ Stuffing (16-18 pounds) NT$4880
• Honey Roasted Ham (4-5 lbs) NT$1,980
• Candied Yam, NT$220 
• Side dishes, NT$450

GRAND HYATT TAIPEI (02) 2720-1200, ext. 3198 or 3199

• Roasted Turkey (5kg) NT$4,900- Bread and Sage Stuffing, Corn on the Cob, Mashed Potatoes, Green BeanCasserole, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Mixed Greens with Salad Dressing, Pumpkin Pie,Pecan Pie and Cornbread
• Virginia Ham (7kg) NT$5,900- Corn on the Cob, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Gravy, Mixed Greens with Salad Dressing, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie and Cornbread

JASON'S SUPERMARKET

LANDIS TAIPEI HOTEL (02) 2598-5558

• Roasted turkey (6kg) NT $ 3,650-  cream corn and vegetables, sweet potatoes with cinnamon and chestnuts, cranberry sauce, gravy
• Pumpkin pie also available

LAWRY'S (02)2729-8555 

• Roasted rosemary and thyme Tennessee turkey (6kg) NT $ 2,900- with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and bottle of red wine
• Virginia honey ham (1kg) NT $ 3,400- with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and bottle of red wine
• Creamed spinach and creamed corn sides available

LE MERIDIEN HOTEL (02) 6622-5812 or fax (02)6638-8080 (3 days advance notice)

• Roasted turkey (12 pounds) NT$3200- Stuffing with bacon and dried fruits, cranberry sauce, roasted chestnuts, sautéed new potatoes, brussel sprouts,
• Virginia ham NT$2800- Dijon mustard, sautéed new potatoes, brussel sprouts, apple-raisin chutney
• Pecan or pumpkin pie NT$600

SAN WANT HOTEL (02) 2781-7063

• Stuffed roasted turkey (6kg) NT $ 3,388-  cranberry sauce, gravy, two loaves of french bread, orange honey chestnuts, homemade crispy gingerbread

SHERATON TAIPEI - THE DELI (02)2321-5858 ext. 8373

• Roasted Turkey Combo Hamper NT$3,800 - American Roasted Turkey (3.5Kg), Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Kumquat Compote, Cornbread Stuffing with Vegetables and Chestnuts, Lyonnaise Bacon and Small Potatoes, Garden Salad with Caesar Dressing, Tex-Mex Sweet Corn & Tomato Salsa, Pumpkin Bread,  Apple Pie
• Roasted Turkey Hamper NT$2,800- American Roasted Turkey (3.5Kg), Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Kumquat Compote,
• Roasted Virginia Ham Hamper NT$2,800- Roasted Virginia Ham (3.5Kg),  Cranberry Kumquat Compote, Apple Sauce,  Gherkin Mustard
• Side dishes hamper NT$900 (also available individually for NT$150-200)- Cornbread Stuffing with Vegetables and Chestnuts, Lyonnaise Bacon and Small Potatoes, Garden Salad with Caesar Dressing, Tex-Mex Sweet Corn & Tomato Salsa, Pumpkin Bread

SHERWOOD TAIPEI- TOSCANA (02) 2718-6666 Ext. 3001

• Sage roasted turkey (5kg)  NT$3,980-  cranberry sauce and gravy, mashed potatoes, beet salad, homemade Focaccia bread and a hand-made pumpkin pie.

WENDEL'S GERMAN BISTRO AND BAKERY
Tianmu (02) 2831-4415, DaAn (02) 2711-8919, Neihu (02) 8751-3708

• Roasted turkey NT$5,500- gravy, stuffing, glazed chestnuts, brussel sprouts with almond butter, sweet mashed potatoes, pumpkin soup, dessert

So where have you had Thanksgiving in Taipei? At home after slaving over a hot oven all morning? Or taking it easy at one of the other restaurants in town? Let me know if I've left one off the list, or if there's one that's better than the rest! It doesn't quite feel like a holiday with most people having to go to the office or school on Thursday and Friday, but at least we can eat some turkey.

my kitchen: hello kitty cornbread

When I was growing up, my mom and dad somehow did a good job instilling the holiday spirit in us, so much so that I have to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas even though sometimes it seems non-existent in Taipei. One thing I'll always remember is that they would put their own little Chinese touches, like stuffing the turkey with sticky rice instead of making stuffing, and it made the holiday that much more memorable.

So even though this year I had my turkey and fixings at a restaurant with friends, if I were making turkey and sides at home, I'd make it a little more fun by making these Hello Kitty cornbreads that I made earlier this year.

I bring my cornbread mix from LA (by the boxful) and picked up this Hello Kitty silicone mold earlier this year when I went on a mini spree at my local Sanrio. Best purchase ever!

Grease the mold beforehand with butter or oil, then fill the mold about half way full. After getting them gently out of the mold, you can brown them face up in the oven a little longer to get the contrast for the faces.

I've also tried biscuits and cake mix in this mold, but cornbread seems to have the best texture and firmness for seeing the Hello Kitty face. You could also use a larger Hello Kitty Cake Pan if you didn't want to keep making little cornbread cakes or can't find this silicone mold.

my kitchen: happy turkey day!

A snapshot of last year's Thanksgiving in Taipei where I took the time to make all the sides that I loved to go with the smoked turkey that a relative ordered- corn, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, sauteed mushrooms and candied yams'. This year, I'm trying Thanksgiving dinner with a group of friends at a place I'm hoping doesn't disappoint... If it doesn't hit the spot, I'm going to be busy trying out my friend's sweet potato casserole recipe and baking some cornbread Friday.



Figuring out last minute options for turkey dinner in Taipei this year? Check out what the Taipei Times suggests with its handy list, or you can call up some of the restaurants I've listed in the past posts...

What places have you guys tried for Thanksgiving dinner out or where do you get stuff for making it at home (canned pumpkin? cornbread mix? recipes for your favorite thanksgiving side?) or is it too much work (and expensive) trying to celebrate such an American holiday in Taipei?

where can i find: thanksgiving 2008 in taipei?

Thanksgiving is once again right around the corner, along with suddenly cold wintery weather and on and off again rainy grey Taipei days.

Here are some options for finding turkey to-go or a night out. This is all found online, so please call to verify for yourself if you are making plans.

Last year, I ended up trying the turkey at Robin's Teppanyaki at Grand Formosa Regent. It was pricey and gourmet- meaning good but small portions with salad and dessert bar. I'm leaning towards trying the traditional sounding fare at Shangri-la this year... plus it's a buffet, so I'll definitely leave full. They better have enough sweet potatoes!

What did you all do last year? Any recommendations for other hungry readers? Share, share!

SHERATON TAIPEI HOTEL
No.12, Zhongxiao East Rd. Sec.1
(02)2321-5858 ext. 8373

The Deli, 1st FL
"Californian roast turkey" basket for NT$3,500
"Virginia Ham" basket for NT$3,000
"roasted rib eye steak" basket for NT$3,800

Baskets also comes with Bourbon whisky sweet potato, Hawaii pineapple grape dressing, pickles, mustard, roasted assort vegetable, Californian spicy corn chips salsa, and sweet potato breed.

The purchase for takeout baskets is from November 1 to December 28. Period for pick-up is November 4 to December 31.

SHANGRI LA FAR EASTERN HOTEL
201 Tun Hwa South Road, Sec. 2, Taipei

Eat in on November 27
Cafe, 6 FL
(02)2376-3238

Thanksgiving specialties will be available as part of the Cafe's buffet. Pumpkin Nut Bread, Cranberry Salad, Herb Rubbed Roasted Turkey, Traditional Stuffing with Corn and Thyme, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows and more. Desserts such as Walnut Praline Pie and Pumpkin Pie. Lunch NT$750 and Dinner NT$890 per person.

To-go
Cake Shop, 1 FL
(02)2378-8888 x5867
3 day advance notice needed, available for pick-up from November 23 to 27.

Herb Roasted Turkey with Sage Stuffing NT$3,500 (good for 5 to 6 people) also includes Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Dressing, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts and Smoked Bacon

Also available are Honey Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes with Butter, Pumpkin Pie and Maple Pecan Pie with prices starting at NT$150.


LAWRY's
Core Living Mall, 12 FL
NO. 138 Pateh Road, Sec 4
(02) 3762-1312

Nov 27, 2008
Glass of Special Selected Red Wine
Lawry's Freshly Baked Home Made Bread
Pan Cake Roll with Prawn
Lawry's Original Spinning Bowl Salad
Choose One of the Following
Atlantic Lobster Tail and Turkey Combo
or
Prime Rib and Turkey Combo
Served with Turkey Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Dessert & Beverage
Pumpkin Mille-Feuille
Freshly Brewed Italian Coffee or Fine Hot Tea Selection
NT2,299+10% per person


GRAND FORMOSA REGENT
41 Chung Shan N. Road, Sec 2

azie bun
02-2523-8000 ext. 3157
3 day advance notice

“Sumptuous Turkey Basket To Go” includes a Roast turkey, side of Mixed Mushrooms, Fresh Glazed Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes (NT$3,000). Also available is 6-inch French Pumpkin Pie NT$500.

MIRAMAR GARDEN TERRACE
83 Civic Blvd, Sec 3

Garden Terrace
Eat-In
7-course Thanksgiving Set Dinner Menu- NT$1,200 per person includes Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Poached Quail Egg, turkey slices with gravy, potato and cranberry sauce, and traditional Pecan pie.

Take-out
(02) 8772-8800 extension 2311

November until 12/31/2008
3 day advance notice

Turkey Hamper Take Away NT$2,700 per set (good for 6 persons)

WESTIN TAIPEI
133 Nanking East Road, Section 3
(02) 8780-6565

The Whole Roasted Turkey (5 KG) with Cranberry delight includes a home-made sauce, roasted potato, creamed Brussels sprouts, butter cauliflower, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, and red wine sauce.

The Virginia Honey Glazed Ham includes roasted potato, home-made muffin, cream Brussels sprouts, butter cauliflower, and pineapple red wine sauce.


CHECKER's at CAESAR PARK TAIPEI
across from Taipei Train Station on Chung Hsiao West Road
(02) 2311-5151, extension 2237 / 2238
from 11/15-12/31 (48 hours notice)
delivery available

Choose from
Whole Thanksgiving Turkey basket (5~7 kg) NT $3000 or
Whole Thanksgiving large Turkey basket(7~9 kg) NT$4000
Orders over NT$5000 include a free "bumpkin pie" (haha)

COSMOPOLITAN GRILL (thanks Raven!)
218 Changchun Road, Taipei
2508-0304

EAT IN
11/27 only, starts at 6:00PM
NT$790/person + 10% service

* Waldorf Salad
* Pumpkin Soup
* Roast Turkey with Mashed Potatoes Brown Gravy and Cranberry Sauce
* Homemade Pumpkin Pie

TAKE OUT
3 day advance notice. Limited availability

Whole Turkey (16 lbs) with Gravy NT$3000
Whole Turkey (16 lbs) with Stuffing & Gravy NT$3500
Whole Pumpkin Pie (9”) NT$650

In addition to turkey baskets, there's also roasted chicken, roasted ham, steamed mutton, Mongolian beef rib, Einsbein, and hand-made bumpkin pie (NT$480)

Check out additional information from last year's wrap up and the comments from readers who share information! I'm sure lots of places are the same more or less.. Here is the info from last year that I cut and paste from last year's wrap up.

TAKE OUT

azie at GRAND FORMOSA REGENT HOTEL (LAI LAI)
41 Chung Shan N. Road, Sec 2
(02)2523-8000 ext 3157
from 11/18 - 12/24 (at least 3 days notice)

Turkey Basket for Takeout (NT$2,750)
6kg turkey with stuffing, traditional cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, various steamed vegetables, mashed potato, and a special Turkey Leftover Cookbook for guests to transform leftovers.
7-inch Pumpkin Pie is also available for NT$500.

LANDIS TAIPEI HOTEL
41 Min Chuan East Road, Section 2
(02)2598-5558
3 days notice

Roast cranberry turkey (6 to 6.5 kg) for six or eight persons. (NT$3,200)
with 6-inch pumpkin pie.

EAT IN

LAWRY's
Core Living Mall, 12 FL
NO. 138 Pateh Road, Sec 4
(02) 3762-1312
thanksgiving day only

NT$2299 + 10%/per person
Roast Turkey or Prime Rib
Salad and bread
Asparagus with bacon
Pumpkin pie
Glass of wine

DAN RYAN's
8 Dun Hua North Road
Tel: (02) 2778-8800
thanksgiving day only $980/person

Seafood Pumpkin Soup
House Garden Salad
Roasted Turkey with mashed Potatoes (spuds !!!)
Turkey Stuffing & Homemade Gravy
Candied Yams, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie

CAPONE's
No. 312 Chung Hsiao E Road, Sec 4
(02) 2773-3782
thanksgiving day ONLY
$790+10%/Person

Cranberry Salad With Gorgonzola , Chicken ,Walnuts
Bread Basket
Pumpkin Cream Soup
Roast Turkey With Cranberry sauce ,Honey Ham ,Candied Yam and Corn
Pumpkin Pie with Ice Cream Covered and Cranberry Sauce

After calling, the information on the web seems to contradict what the hotel is saying. There is only Take out from Azie, no eat in. The dining in at Robin's DOES include turkey though the website says it does not.

Robin's Grill and Teppan at GRAND FORMOSA REGENT HOTEL (LAI LAI)
41 Chung Shan N. Road, Sec 2
(02)2523-8000 ext 3157
on thanksgiving day ONLY
NT$1,350 per person for Lunch and NT$1,550 per person for Dinner. 12pm - 2pm
6pm - 10pm

Choose soup: Butternut pumpkin soup with crab and lemongrass flavor or Chestnut cream soup with morel and black truffle
Appetizer and salad bar: Pumpkin lune with scallop and rosemary butter
Choose main course: Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, glazed sweet potato, brussel sprout with bacon and truffle mashed potato
or
Roasted US prime rib of beef with bordelaise sauce,
or
Surf n’ Turf with 3oz fillet stea, half rock lobster thermidor and grilled halibut
Choose dessert: Pumpkin and blueberry cheesecake or Pecan pie with pumpkin sorbet accompanied by Coffee or tea.

COSMOPOLITAN GRILL (thanks Raven!)
218 Changchun Road, Taipei
2508- 0304
NT$800 + 10% for Person

Relish Tray
Pumpkin Soup
Roast Turkey with Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy and Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Pumpkin Pie

RUMORED TO HAVE:

EAT IN

CAFE at GRAND HYATT TAIPEI
No.2, Sung Shou Road, 1FL
Taipei, Taiwan
(02) 2720-1234
on thanksgiving only
Roasted turkey part of the regular buffet

Grandma Nitti's
8, Lane 93, Shi Da Road
Taipei 106 Taiwan
(02) 2369 9751
Eat in and take out

JAKE's COUNTRY CAFE
705 Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 6, Taipei
(02) 2871 5289
turkey for 6-8 people with stuffing and gravy NT$2300
Eat in and take out

TAKE OUT

JASON's SUPERMARKET at 101
5 days advance notice
Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and tea

COSTCO
frozen turkeys 6kg for NT$750-1000

DEAN AND DELUCA(at Breeze)
Breeze Center, B2F
N0.39, Fu-Hsin S Road. Sec 1
Taipei 105
(02) 6600-8888 ext 7301
$2800

SHERATON TAIPEI HOTEL
12, Chung Hsiao E Road, Sec 1
(02) 2321-5511

Basket with turkey and trimmings -stuffing, 3 different sauces, veggies, etc.- for 3000. Order 3 days ahead at least.

AGORA GARDENS HOTEL
No. 68, Sung-Kao, Rd.
02-8780-5168
Package for 2500NT

WELLCOME SUPERMARKETS

american/mexican: JAKE's COUNTRY KITCHEN

JAKE's COUNTRY KITCHEN
705 Chungshan North Road, Section 6
(02) 2871-5289

Hours: Kitchen: 6:30am to midnight
Bar: 6pm to 2am

website: jakes.network.com.tw Chinese only, though online menu has English.

$-$$

Kid friendliness: high chairs available, lots of kid options

Visit reviewed: 2/17/2008



I visited Jake's Country Kitchen all the way back in February with high hopes for good Mexican food. While I admire how Jake's has been around town for such a long time and I could see how it was a destination when there were few Western restaurants in town, I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it's because I'd heard about it for so long and it's so far away from where I live that I held it to a higher standard.

Jake's does have a large variety of offerings on their English and Chinese menu- all day breakfast omelettes, pancakes with sides like corn beef hash; burgers, pasta, pizza, fried chicken, dinner plates like turkey with mashed potatoes; Mexican offerings like chicken mole, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas and flautas, and slices of pies and whole pies to go. Their servers crowded behind the counter and in the kitchen and would pop over occasionally to give us food. The songs from the 80s and 90s playing also gives the place a whole throwback feeling that you could imagine it being around for almost 30 years.



The nachos were just chips with melted cheese (not enough of it) and the guacamole/salsa wasn't fresh and piled on like I'd hoped. It looked and tasted like when I tried to melt jack cheese on some Tostitos at home in the microwave.



The burger (NT$115) was ala carte, but it was a pretty decent burger- served super hot, good size proportion to the bun, fresh fat slice of tomato and lettuce.



The open faced turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy (NT$250) was better than I thought it would be. It was hearty and filling and the gravy is more like country gravy than brown gravy. It could be a great alternative to a fancy turkey dinner around Thanksgiving if you don't want to slave in the kitchen. Or anytime you just felt like some serotonin from the turkey.



I got a Chimilada which was a Chimichanga Enchilada combo plate (NT$300). The enchilada fared better than the nachos with its cheese quota, but there wasn't enough sauce. The whole point of ordering an enchilada rather than a burrito or chimichanga is that it's soaked in the sauce and the corn tortilla soaks it all up. At Jake's (like many Taiwan eateries), you could barely tell which is the enchilada and which is the chimichanga (NT$160-280 ala carte).



I could have also done without all the sauce on top of the food and rather had it scooped on the side. The refried beans were also rock hard and I didn't bother with trying to eat it. The problem with eating Taiwan-ified Mexican food is that it just makes you long for the real thing even more.



The milkshake again was okay, and it was smaller than expected for the price.



I was so excited to see Lemon Meringue pie on the menu, but it turned out they were out that day. So instead we opted for Strawberry Cheesecake. I love cheesecake. But this was weird cheesecake. It had little fiberous textures inside the cheesecake that was not strawberry-like. It was very off-putting and made me not want to finish it.



The dessert menu itself does offer a huge array of pies, but they only had a few cheesecakes to offer that night. So you'd have to call in ahead to check if they had what you wanted, or order ahead if you wanted to take it home.

I'm curious to know if their breakfast/brunch menu is better, although with options like The Diner now closer to me, I don't know if I'll make the trip to find out.

Maybe for the pie.... Anyone been to Jake's Country Kitchen?


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where to find...thanksgiving 2007 research wrap up

Where to find... Thanksgiving 2007 research results! It might be a little late to order take out for tomorrow, but try calling to make a reservation if you want to try and have turkey tomorrow somewhere. I'm saving the information for next year, hopefully it will be more or less the same. If you try any of them, please let us know what you liked and didn't like!!

TAKE OUT

CHECKER's at CAESAR PARK TAIPEI(thanks Lili!)
across from Taipei Train Station on Chung Hsiao West Road
(02) 2311-5151, extension 2237 / 2238
from 11/15-12/31 (48 hours notice)

Choose from
Whole Thanksgiving Turkey (5~7 kg) NT $2800 or
Whole Thanksgiving large Turkey (7~9 kg) NT$3,800
Includes Red Raspberry sauce, homemade meat sauce, Honey Sweet potatoes, marinated cabbage, and Turkey stuffing
option to include 9" pumpkin pie and gift basket add NT$200

Baked ham with honey (approx 3 kg) —NT$1,100
Includes Pineapple sauce (Add NT$999 for gift basket)

Homemade Pumpkin Pie (approx 9 inches)(Add NT$399 for gift basket)
NT$480

azie at GRAND FORMOSA REGENT HOTEL (LAI LAI)
41 Chung Shan N. Road, Sec 2
(02)2523-8000 ext 3157
from 11/18 - 12/24 (at least 3 days notice)

Turkey Basket for Takeout (NT$2,750)
6kg turkey with stuffing, traditional cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, various steamed vegetables, mashed potato, and a special Turkey Leftover Cookbook for guests to transform leftovers.
7-inch Pumpkin Pie is also available for NT$500.

LANDIS TAIPEI HOTEL
41 Min Chuan East Road, Section 2
(02)2598-5558
3 days notice

Roast cranberry turkey (6 to 6.5 kg) for six or eight persons. (NT$3,200)
with 6-inch pumpkin pie.

COSMOPOLITAN GRILL (thanks Raven!)
218 Changchun Road, Taipei
2508- 0304
limited availability

Whole Turkey (16 lbs) with Gravy $2800
Whole Turkey (16 lbs) with Stuffing & Gravy $3300
Whole Pumpkin Pie (9”) $650

EAT IN

LAWRY's
Core Living Mall, 12 FL
NO. 138 Pateh Road, Sec 4
(02) 3762-1312
11/22 only

NT$2299 + 10%/per person
Roast Turkey or Prime Rib
Salad and bread
Asparagus with bacon
Pumpkin pie
Glass of wine

DAN RYAN's
8 Dun Hua North Road
Tel: (02) 2778-8800
11/22 only $980/person

Seafood Pumpkin Soup
House Garden Salad
Roasted Turkey with mashed Potatoes (spuds !!!)
Turkey Stuffing & Homemade Gravy
Candied Yams, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie

CAPONE's
No. 312 Chung Hsiao E Road, Sec 4
(02) 2773-3782
11/22 ONLY
$790+10%/Person

Cranberry Salad With Gorgonzola , Chicken ,Walnuts
Bread Basket
Pumpkin Cream Soup
Roast Turkey With Cranberry sauce ,Honey Ham ,Candied Yam and Corn
Pumpkin Pie with Ice Cream Covered and Cranberry Sauce

After calling, the information on the web seems to contradict what the hotel is saying. There is only Take out from Azie, no eat in. The dining in at Robin's DOES include turkey though the website says it does not.

Robin's Grill and Teppan at GRAND FORMOSA REGENT HOTEL (LAI LAI)
41 Chung Shan N. Road, Sec 2
(02)2523-8000 ext 3157
on 11/22 ONLY
NT$1,350 per person for Lunch and NT$1,550 per person for Dinner. 12pm - 2pm
6pm - 10pm

Choose soup: Butternut pumpkin soup with crab and lemongrass flavor or Chestnut cream soup with morel and black truffle
Appetizer and salad bar: Pumpkin lune with scallop and rosemary butter
Choose main course: Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, glazed sweet potato, brussel sprout with bacon and truffle mashed potato
or
Roasted US prime rib of beef with bordelaise sauce,
or
Surf n’ Turf with 3oz fillet stea, half rock lobster thermidor and grilled halibut
Choose dessert: Pumpkin and blueberry cheesecake or Pecan pie with pumpkin sorbet accompanied by Coffee or tea.

COSMOPOLITAN GRILL (thanks Raven!)
218 Changchun Road, Taipei
2508- 0304
NT$800 + 10% for Person

Relish Tray
Pumpkin Soup
Roast Turkey with Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy and Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Pumpkin Pie

LAWRY's
Core Living Mall, 12 FL
NO. 138 Pateh Road, Sec 4
(02) 3762-1312

Take out NT$2500
Roast turkey 6.5 for 8
a bottle of Red Wine
Pumpkin Pie
order by 11/21 3pm

RUMORED TO HAVE:

EAT IN

CAFE at GRAND HYATT TAIPEI
No.2, Sung Shou Road, 1FL
Taipei, Taiwan
(02) 2720-1234
on 11/22 only
Roasted turkey part of the regular buffet

Grandma Nitti's
8, Lane 93, Shi Da Road
Taipei 106 Taiwan
(02) 2369 9751
Eat in and take out

JAKE's COUNTRY CAFE
705 Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 6, Taipei
(02) 2871 5289
turkey for 6-8 people with stuffing and gravy NT$2300
Eat in and take out

TAKE OUT

JASON's SUPERMARKET at 101
5 days advance notice
Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and tea

COSTCO
frozen turkeys 6kg for NT$750-1000

DEAN AND DELUCA(at Breeze)
Breeze Center, B2F
N0.39, Fu-Hsin S Road. Sec 1
Taipei 105
(02) 6600-8888 ext 7301
$2800

SHERATON TAIPEI HOTEL
12, Chung Hsiao E Road, Sec 1
(02) 2321-5511

Basket with turkey and trimmings -stuffing, 3 different sauces, veggies, etc.- for 3000. Order 3 days ahead at least.

AGORA GARDENS HOTEL
No. 68, Sung-Kao, Rd.
02-8780-5168
Package for 2500NT

WELLCOME SUPERMARKETS

chinese: i recommend green onion pancake from RANDOM STREET VENDOR

RANDOM STREET VENDOR
near Dun Hua Eslite
Dun Hua S Road/ Ren Ai Road

hours: spotted in late afternoon/evening

$

Visit reviewed: 10/26/2007

Mmmm. Scallion pancake or tsong yo bing . A perfect snack to go. This particular vendor's green onion pancake was flat and crispy and hot! I don't like it too doughy so this was perfect. It was so hot that you had to play hot potato with it before taking a bite. For NT$30, I got a half order which was 5-6 pieces and actually enough to share as a snack because the pieces were huge.

There is sauce on the cart that you can add, but he suggested eating the original flavor. You can also add egg for more NT, but I like it without egg.


you gotta love Taiwan English

I think I also spotted a dumpling vendor across from him, but the smell of freshly fried pancake totally got me. Located near the alley of the office building to the right of the 24 hour Dun Hua S Road Eslite.


PS.. still researching this Thanksgiving in Taipei thing and hopefully over a nasty cold.. not an easy task! Something LETHAL is going around town. But some interesting contenders that I'm researching... all seem to range in the NT$2000-$4000 range, and not having eaten at most of these places, don't know what their guidelines are for home cooking tastes!

Post Home
Jake's Country Cafe
Grandma Nitti's
Jimmy's
Grand Regent Hotel
Lawry's
Jason's at 101
Costco
Dan Ryan's
Dean and Deluca (at Breeze)

where can you find... thanksgiving dinner in Taipei?

A great question emailed to me by reader Joe W.- where to find a good thanksgiving dinner in Taipei? For many Americans, that's probably a top question on our minds since it's already November and it's not really a Taiwanese holiday!

If you are doing turkey day at home, you can do the slave over a hot stove all day thing or you could order a package from a restaurant. I spotted an ad last year from Post Home for a turkey with all the sides package that I was seriously considering for this year. I also spotted a pre-cooked turkey by a chef at the Grand Hyatt sold in limited editions at Costco in the previous years- don't know if that happens every year.

If you are looking for a sit-down turkey dinner, where to go? Honestly, I have no idea, but I'm sure MUST be some good places to go. Can you just drop in or do you have to make reservations? Will there be candied yams and stuffing (my personal favorites)?

Or do you just have Chinese food like any other day here?

Let us know!