14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010 • TIMES BY Ho Yi FESTIVAL Sirena a la Plancha by Spain’s Sol Pico Dance Company. Photo courtesy of NTCH stop

compiled BY Noah Buchan

ith so many in ’s 10pm time slot last Friday, accord- celebrity firmament ing to a report on NOWnews. embroiled in scandals over Bloggers complained Wthe past few years, 2010 may turn Pandamen had a childish plot out to be the year when some turn and seemed to cater specifically to religion to change their evil to viewers in China. One would ways. But don’t count on it. expect, then, that it would have “God is better than sex,” received rave reviews when it screamed a T-shirt worn by actor aired on Guangzhou Television and (吳建 last month. But the NT$110 million 豪) while attending a Christian show barely registered, with only conference late last week, 5,000 viewers tuning in on its third according to a report in the United day, making it the lowest-rated Daily News. show in the station’s history. After arriving at the Festival And now to more mundane of God’s Power Conference (神 news. The Apple Daily released 大能醫治布道會), the 31-year old the results of its “Queen of the Bra” heartthrob — who recently (內衣皇后) poll. Joe Chen’s (陳喬恩) changed his first name to Van Ness mammalian protuberances (33D) — proceeded to disclose details of blew away the competition with 52 his changed lifestyle since being percent of the votes, coming out baptized two years ago. victorious in the ongoing lingerie In a tell-all to the media scrum battle against her To Love You Is For the fun of it following him, Wu confessed to My Destiny (命中注定我愛你) co-star losing his virginity aged 17 and and undergarment rival Bianca “dating” six women in the past. Bai (白歆惠). Bai’s tatas, practically Those wild days are behind him, exploding out of a 33B cup, placed esidents of Taipei who are stuck in the city performance that tells the story of a woman who A daring attempt at blending tribal sounds with a though, as he told the assembled third with 14 percent. during the Lunar New Year often resort to changes into a mermaid to save the world from Western orchestra and contemporary music, On the gossip hounds that he signed a Actress Cheryl Yang (楊謹華) eating, drinking and playing mahjong for drying up. Road (很久沒有敬我了你) was born of a collaboration “celibacy card” in 2008 and prays came second with 22 percent, and Rwholesome family entertainment. A more lively Sirena a la Plancha is approximately one hour between Aboriginal musicians from Taiwan Colors for one hour every day — this in singer Landy Wen (溫嵐) placed last alternative will be staged next weekend: free long and begins at 8pm on Feb. 19. Music (角頭音樂) and the National Symphony addition to surreptitious prayers with 3 percent. Pop Stop awaits outdoor performances from Spain and Taiwan’s For Ilisin — Amis Harvest Festival Dances, the Orchestra (NSO, 國家交響樂團) under conductor Chien for friends and colleagues. He Apple’s “Queen of the Thong” poll Amis tribe (阿美族) at the Chiang Kai-shek Formosa Aboriginal Song & Dance Troupe (原舞者) Wen-pin (簡文彬). It hits the National Concert Hall said that he manages to avoid with baited breath, and wonders Memorial Hall Plaza, which open the 2010 Taiwan brings the harvest dances of the Amis communities stage later this month temptation by putting God first. when the “King of the Thong” International Festival (2010台灣國際藝術節). of Hualien to the capital. British composer George Fenton continues the He also confirmed rumors that contest kicks off. The festival, whose theme is Diversity and More than 200 Aboriginal performers will green theme with The Blue Planet Live, a concert he’d been involved with singer and Yahoo Kimo, meanwhile, came Sustainability, runs through March 28 and features participate in the year-end festival, held to worship that sees the NSO and Taipei Philharmonic Chorus actress (徐若瑄), claiming up with its own poll on who is the Taiwanese and international performances of dance, and offer gratitude to ancestors and deities as well (台北愛樂合唱團) performing the multi-award winning he could no longer lie about their top male idol, which seems more of music and theater from nine countries including as pray for good harvests and fortune in the score Fenton wrote for the television documentary past relationship. (Incidentally, a promotional gimmick for popular Germany, France, Denmark and Colombia. coming year. series The Blue Planet, produced by the BBC and Hsu has been spotted in the past at F4 than anything else. Spain’s Sol Pico Dance Company draws attention The Ilisin festival, which usually lasts several Discovery Channel. Xingtian Temple (行天宮) praying (言承旭) topped the to the issue of dwindling water supplies in Sirena days, has been condensed into a two-hour long event Taiwan International Festival’s bilingual Web site for divine intervention to help her poll of 170,000 votes with 30.8 a la Plancha, an abundantly humorous and sensual that begins on Feb. 20 at 6pm. can be found at tif.ntch.edu.tw. find a mate). percent, beating out fellow F4 band When asked if he planned to members Van Ness Wu and Vic become a pastor, Wu replied that Chou (周渝民), both of whom tied he’d leave it up to God. If that with 26 percent. Perhaps Yan has BY Tom Leeming wasn’t odd enough, CTV showed been praying in secret. THE VINYL WORD a clip of Wu’s hand placed on the And finally, Chinese actress head of a middle-aged woman, a Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) is in a little hot sight that could have come right water lately over allegations that orget about the name, next week, toppings including burlesque troupe Shin Nishimura, Sodemaya, Elvis T, A- out of America’s Bible Belt. she embezzled money donated to FreakFest in Kending is going to Rock in Hose with some new material. Tao and Ju. All this talk of clean living is her charity to help victims of the be lovely. Hedonistic yes, but still FreakFest, at Liufu farm (六福山莊) Factory One at Hong Chen Film hard to swallow. Several media 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Fa fabulous place for party people from in Kending from Monday at 2pm until Studio, Taoyuan, on Wednesday from outlets implied just as much by Zhang had publicly pledged different cities to congregate where Wednesday at 5am. Address: 5, Dasi Ln, 9pm until 5am. Address: 868-1, Jhongyi juxtaposing images of Wu at the the equivalent of NT$4.7 million good weather is most likely. Gongyuan Rd, Kending Village, Hengchun Rd Sec 1, Gueishan Township, Taoyuan conference with those of him lying to China’s Red Cross for victims “We put this party in a beautiful Township, Pingtung County (屏東縣恆春鎮 County (桃園縣龜山鄉忠義路一段868-1號). naked on a fully dressed Ady An (安 of the disaster that killed an spot with lots of great hikes and trails,” 墾丁里公園路大溪巷5號). Admission: NT$800 Admission: NT$1,200 at the door. On 以軒), his co-star in the soap opera estimated 68,000 people. China’s said Rock Starkey, brainchild of the on the door for the full two days, NT$700 the Net: factoryone.tripper.com.tw (for Autumn’s Concerto (下一站，幸 media and bloggers have been operation. “It is near the ocean and out for Tuesday onwards. more information and pre-sale outlets). 福). Perhaps Wu’s abstinence in a tizzy over revelations in the country, all at the same time so Those staying in the north also Valentine’s Day is for hip-hop pledge has an opt-out clause that she donated only part that everyone gets everything wrapped have something to shout about: In lovers, so follow your heart to the for television. of that total, leading to up in a single cheap package.” Taoyuan on Wednesday night at Hong amphitheater at Taipei’s Da-an Park (大 Singer and actor Jay speculation that she had From Monday afternoon to Chen Film Studio there’s a big fat old- 安森林公園), where from 7pm until 6am Chou (周杰倫) may need funneled the rest into her Wednesday afternoon, attendees get THC will decamp to Kending for FreakFest. fashioned rave-up. anyone with heart on the mic is invited Wu’s help in calling on own personal account. some of the cream of Taiwan’s DJs on Photo Courtesy of THC This is a possible treat of a party for for a freestyle. the Almighty for a The Red Cross the old Spring Scream site, Liufu farm also available. “More important than those old enough to remember a time And at the buzzer, a last-minute entry miracle to salvage confirmed on Monday (六福山莊). “The real point of the party that is the fact that all the DJs rock,” when a rave was an almost mystical for what is billed as Taipei’s only Lunar Pandamen (熊貓人), that it had received being a FreakFest,” said Starkey, “is said Starkey, who will also be providing event to be savored, and everyone New Year party. Earworm presents City a new television the balance owed, the idea that all these people who love food. The musical menu includes Mixer brought something to the party apart Sounds Tiger Beats at Hook tomorrow program which he according to a report electronica and often go to clubs in the T, Marcus Aurelius, Duckie, vDub, Koala from crappy promoter hyperbole night with BB and Kolette, plus vDub. directs. The drama on Sina.com. cities and share similar interests and and Dragon serving up hip-hop, drum ’n’ straight from a thesaurus and a “look City Sounds Tiger Beats tomorrow at series about two tastes with each other, never really get bass, break beat, electro and the much at me on the stage I’m better than Hook from 11pm until 5am. Address: 1, heroic pandas Joe Chen: Apple Daily’s the chance to hang out.” misunderstood psy-trance. There will be you” attitude. Alley 7, Ln 205, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, 中 that protect a city “Queen of the Bra.” Camping is free with tonnes of places a big slice of melted-in-a-pot THC (H You can be sure the Taiwanese Taipei City (台北市大安區忠孝東路4段205巷 received the lowest to throw down, and hot showers are P在台北) live hip-hop and other cheeky tigers will be on this one. The roster: 7弄1號). Admission: $350 with a drink. Photo: Taipei times rating for its

BY Catherine Shu BY Ho Yi RESTAURANTS TIDBITS BY Noah Buchan Kiki Restaurant estled on quiet Pucheng interested in selling their own art crunchy texture on the outside Street (浦城街) near Standard and design items can contact the that comes in several flavors, &P Food and Spices offers pretty Address: 28 Fuxing S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市復興南路28號1段) Telephone: Bookstore (水準書店), Zabu store directly.) including miso (NT$130), cheese much everything you need to (02) 2752-2781 or (02) 2752-2791 Open: 11:15am to 2pm and 5:45pm to 10pm Nlooks and feels a world away Zabu serves a decent and katsuobushi (NT$140) and create a Mediterranean-style meal Average meal: NT$500 to NT$600 On the Net: www.kiki1991.com from the hustle and bustle of selection of coffees, organic pomelo and salmon (NT$150). P— and often at one-third the price of Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards accepted the nearby Shida night market teas, fruit or milk teas, and Zabu offers free WiFi access regular supermarkets. and the area’s mushrooming drinks including cinnamon milk but charges NT$50 to plug in Parmesan from Italy, oysters from The wait is worth it at Kiki Restaurant. youth-fashion shops. Deriving its (NT$150) and black sesame milk your laptop to the electricity. France and sardines from Spain are ith a celebrity owner eggs until they are golden brown Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times name from two Japanese words (NT$150). Alcoholic beverages Shelves and cabinets are lined some of the specialties P&P flies in once (singer and TV host Pauline and then stir-fried with ground zakka (many goods) and burokku on offer include plum wine, sake with manga, novels and Japanese a week from European countries. Lan, 藍心湄) and a prime chili peppers” (回鍋蛋, NT$180). (block), the cafe-cum-bistro has and various Japanese, Belgian design books and magazines. Located on the first floor of a Wlocation in Taipei’s East District The menu’s detailed description slice of melon was indeed silky and a definite zakka feel to it with and Scottish beers. The ambient music is a touch building at the corner of Dingzhou (東區), Kiki Restaurant is one of of the latter dish doesn’t capture smooth and the clams were fat, but each nook and cranny adorned The desserts are no louder than what you’d expect Road (汀州路) and Jinmen Street (金 the best-known spots for Sichuan its sheer awesomeness. Hard- a little tough. Salty dried shrimp with everyday objects, offering disappointment, either. The from a neighborhood cafe, but 門街), the wholesaler’s cramped cooking in Taipei. Reservations are boiled eggs are sliced and then kept the dish from becoming patrons a seemingly disorderly banana cake (NT$100) is warm that’s no problem if you’re into warehouse is packed full of easier a must: On a Friday visit, one of stir-fried with a variety of tasty bland. but snug haven where they can and moist and comes served with the likes of Cat Power, The Cure, to find items such as olive oil and our six-member party was reduced spices and minced chili peppers. Tables for two are available, read, surf the Net or relax. either whipped cream or syrup. Radiohead, Joy Division, PJ pesto, and harder to find goodies to sitting on a stool when the The resulting combination of but you’ll get the most out of Kiki Zabu is home to two laid- Unfortunately, Zabu’s Harvey and Arcade Fire. such as truffles and caviar. The walk-in restaurant ran out of chairs even flavors and textures — the sharp if you go in a larger group. For one back house cats, whose favorite savory food is not a strength. Zabu closes tomorrow refrigerator overflows with stacks of though we had called ahead for a and savory spices against the firm thing, the portions are somewhat resting spot seems to be on top The menu consists of mostly for the Lunar New Year and Roquefort, camembert and buffalo table. The waiting time last Sunday egg white and soft yolk — will skimpy, and expensive. Drinks of its large fish tank. Retaining simple Japanese-style meals reopens on Feb. 21. mozzarella cheeses — to name just night for walk-ins was an hour. make your tongue happy, even if include Kiki’s special plum juice (鳥 much of the original structure and appetizers such as salmon a few — while boxes of fresh herbs The long lines, slightly snooty it is still recovering from the mapo 梅汁, NT$140 per carton or NT$45 of an old apartment house, the ochatsuke (rice with tea) (鮭魚 and spices from the Netherlands service (we were curtly informed tofu. The Sichuan-style stir-fried per glass), which is supposed to space is outfitted with vintage 茶泡飯, NT$160), beef with sweet (basil, mint, rosemary, chives, thyme on the phone that reservations chicken with chili peppers (宮保雞 help soothe chili-addled mouths. wooden tables, chairs and sauce and egg on rice (牛丼蛋 and sage) are stacked on the cooler are held for only 10 minutes) and 丁, NT$280) was also very good, Red and white wines are available leather sofas. Christmas lights, 飯, NT$170) and wasabi fried floor beside crates of romaine, squash, less-than-comfy seating (chairs if a tad salty, with large chunks by the bottle (NT$1,000); the pencil sketches, drawings, chicken (芥末唐揚雞, NT$220). radicchio and whole spice. are made of the same hard plastic of meat mixed with peanuts and former is pleasantly dry but not Polaroid photos, and posters and The Japanese fried eggs (玉 P&P stocks a broad selection of as the stools) are made up for slices of chili peppers. particularly memorable. A small flyers for exhibitions, movies and 子燒, NT$120), however, met Italian wines, ports and aperitifs. The by the sheer deliciousness of the On a second visit, my selection of cocktails, Taiwan beer, performances decorate the walls. expectations with a tasty fusion only thing missing is fresh bread. For food. Kiki rates the spiciness of companion and I ordered braised and teas are also available; the The palette of light grays, of egg, mayonnaise, dried kelp, that, head off to Boite de Bijou, located its dishes from one to four stars, oysters with fermented black most incongruous option on the olive greens and grayish blues katsuobushi (smoked skipjack in an alley directly behind National with the latter being for diners beans (豆豉青蚵, NT$290). The beverage menu is probably is soothing. Yellowish, subdued tuna) shavings, mustard and Taiwan Normal University (get there with iron tongues. On our first fermented beans added just the the iced Oreo smoothie (Oreo lighting adds an almost fairy- honey sauce. before 5pm because the bread sells visit, we seared our taste buds with right amount of kick and contrast 冰沙, NT$200). tale-like aura to the cafe. A white Another signature dish out fast). the Sichuan-style spicy braised to the plump and juicy shellfish. Go to www.kiki1991.com wooden cabinet that stands on is Zabu’s handmade onigiri, P&P Food & Spices, 9-14 Jinmen St, bean curd (麻婆豆腐, NT$200) Throwing caution to the wind, we for information on other Kiki one corner sports handmade or rice ball, a surprisingly Taipei City (台北市金門街9-14號). Open and stir-fried minced pork with taunted our arteries with salted franchises. goods for sale. (Patrons filling item with a pleasantly daily from 8:30am to 6pm, closed Chinese chives and fermented grilled pork slices (鹽豬肉, NT$270), Sundays and from Feb. 13 through Feb. black beans (蒼蠅頭, NT$220) which probably consisted of the 19. Tel: (02) 2365-2340. On the Net: — and those two dishes rated fattest cuts the butcher could find Zabu Zabu’s savory options are not its www.pnpfood.com only three stars. Slightly gentler on the pig. As a counterpoint to strength. Photo: Ho Yi, Taipei Times Patisserie Boite de Bijou (珠寶盒法 Address: 9-4, Pucheng St, Taipei City (台北市浦城街9-4號) Telephone: (02) 2369-6686 courses include the very good the strong flavors of the braised 式點心坊), 19-1, Ln 33, Lishui St, Taipei Open: Sundays to Thursdays from 3pm to 11pm, closes at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays four seasons beans with minced oysters and pork, we selected the City (台北市麗水街33巷19號之1). Open Average meal: NT$500 Details: Chinese and English menu, credit cards not accepted pork and Chinese spices (干扁四 very mild braised silk melon with daily from 10am to 9pm. Tel: (02) 季豆, NT$210) and “the pan fried clams (絲瓜炒蛤蜊, NT$270). Each On the Net: www.zabustudio.blogspot.com 3322-2461