14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009 • TIMES BY Andrew C.C. Huang MUSIC

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compiled BY Ho Yi

ledging actor (趙又 廷) played the ungrateful son in this week’s tabloids, with Fhis semi-retired entertainer father Allen Chao (趙樹海) in the role of the overbearing father. It all started when the younger Chao was named Best Actor for his role in popular police drama Black & White (痞子英雄) at the Golden Bell Awards two weeks ago, beating out audience favorite and former Mark Chao bites the hand that fed him. F4 member (周渝民), to Photo: Taipei Times the surprise and consternation and Singapore to its sold-out of many in the audience and concert scheduled to be held in entertainment media. Rumors have the city on Dec. 5. According to been circulating that the elder calculations by local media, the

Chao had an “innocent chat” with concert will generate NT$150 Photos courtesy of Relax One an “old friend” who happened to be million for the local economy, a jury member prior to the awards cementing Mayday’s role as the ceremony. new F4, the Taiwanese boy band Allen Chao says that isn’t true. that had a large following in Asia. But he’s been griping about how In other music-related news, his 25-year-old son has turned singer Joanna Wang (王若琳) will s an indie band, Relax One (輕鬆玩) revels in a brand While her three male bandmates were performing their down jobs for commercials and reportedly return to the stage in of happy-go-lucky, sun-drenched rock that urges compulsory military service, Hsu worked as a production television shows featuring the January, just a few months after you to loosen up and cool off. assistant at a music company. A tape of her singing was ABut beneath this carefree veneer lies a group that has discovered by producer Chen Wei (陳偉), the maestro father-son duo that Chao Senior what was billed as a good-bye had arranged. “I’d be lucky to concert was held at The Wall (這牆) shown remarkable determination throughout its career. behind Elva Hsiao’s (蕭亞軒) early hits. Chen offered to sign be seen at all with my son on by Wang, who at the time was said The outfit’s ultimate goal? Opening a villa-style her as a solo act, but Hsu chose to stick with Relax One. television these days,” Allen to be returning to the US to resume recording studio in Kenting. Flawlessly The band later signed with mainstream label Avex Chao was quoted as saying by the her education. “That way, our life, dreams and music can be taken (with Chen as their agent) and released I Want to Take Apple Daily. Gossip observers suspect the care of in one step!” says vocalist and songwriter It Easy and Have Fun. Despite aggressive marketing, Black & White director Tsai bye-bye gig was a publicity stunt Summer Hsu (徐鳳玉). the band’s LP failed to achieve commercial success. Yueh-hsun (蔡岳勳), meanwhile, and question whether the 21-year- Formed in 1998, Relax One is comprised of Hsu, carefree “The people at the label were very friendly, but was cozying up to Kaohsiung old singer’s upcoming show is frontman and guitarist Hsiao Mao (小毛), real name Mao I think they were trying to sell us as a pop idol act Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) by worth NT$10,000 per seat, a price Tsung-wen (毛琮文); bassist Hsiaorenguo (小人國), real — which is misleading,” says Hsu. throwing a party to thank the that even by big-name pop stars name Chan Chi-yen (詹期焱); and drummer Ah Kuei (阿 “We won’t change our music no matter who we sign city for its support during the such as Wang Lee-hom (王力宏) 貴), real name Chao Kuei-ming (趙貴民). with,” she adds. “The label who signs us must believe in shooting of the television drama. and Aaron Kwok (郭富城) would The band — which performs tomorrow evening in PERFORMANCE notes: our music.” Chen and Tsai announced at have a hard time matching. Kaohsiung — issued two indie EPs before releasing its After its contract with Avex expired, Relax One the party last week that a movie Wang’s record company first full-length album, I Want to Take It Easy and Have What: Relax One (輕鬆玩) dropped off the radar. Then, last year, Hsu’s obsession version of Black & White will be Sony Music later explained that Fun (我要輕鬆玩), through Avex in 2005. After a brief stint Where: National Sun Yat-sen University with life in Hengchun (恆春) brought about the group’s set mostly in Kaohsiung, which the NT$10,000 tickets were for with the mainstream label, the band recorded two more (中山大學), 70 Lianhai Rd, Gushan Dist, latest breakthrough in the dazzling form of a song from Tsai says he hopes will help boost sofa seats for two. But as Wang indie EPs: 2008’s Unplugged Commemorative Edition Kaohsiung City (高雄市鼓山區蓮海路70號). the blockbuster movie Cape No. 7 (海角七號). tourism in the southern city. has been outspoken about her (不插電紀念版) and July’s You Just Don’t Understand Tel: (07) 525-2000 (國立故宮博物院) “A friend introduced me to director Wei Te-sheng (魏 In another boost for tourism in disappointment with Sony Music Relax One (你才不懂輕鬆玩). A new unplugged full-length When: Tomorrow at 4:30pm 德聖), who offered me a small part as Ma Nien-hsien’s Kaohsiung, it is estimated that pop- for making her a sweet, mellow album is currently in the works. Admission: Free (馬念先) girlfriend,” recalls Hsu. “It turned out that I was rock outfit Mayday 五月天( ) will jazz crooner rather than letting “When you reach a certain stage in life, you see On the net: www.relax-one.com; too short when standing next to Ma, so I didn’t get to be draw more than 7,000 fans from her to do what she truly wants, things differently. It’s no longer just rock any more,” www.avex.com.tw/relaxone; tw.streetvoice. in the movie.” Hong Kong, the upcoming concert may very explains Hsu in an interview last Friday at the band’s com/profile/home.asp?sd=410910 “After they finished filming, Wei asked to hear our Japan well be an attempt by the record recording studio in Taipei’s East District (東區). “We music and I directed him to our Web site,” says Hsu. “He label to cash in on the defiant want to do unplugged albums and concerts now because told me Beautiful Scenery (風光明媚) was ideal for the young star while it still can. we want to go back to the basics.” movie and that he wanted to use it as the end credit song.” Finally, after months of You Just Don’t Understand Relax One contains The song, a celebration of Hengchun’s natural charms rumors about pregnancies three old tunes revamped as acoustic numbers. Bitch delivered in breezy bossa nova style, was later covered and miscarriages, Hong Kong It Out (幹�譙) is a rousing rocker that advises people by One Million Star (超級星光大道) alumnus Rachel Liang paparazzi confirmed last week to vent their angst by complaining. See Through It (看 (梁文音), who has a brief cameo at the end of the movie. that Cecilia Cheung (張柏芝) is 清) is an uplifting number that urges listeners to regain “I wrote the lyrics seven years before moving to pregnant with twins. sight of their dreams. Take a Fart (放一個屁) is a rock Hengchun and finished the melody after going to the The actress and mother anthem that encourages everyone to recover their beach one day,” says Hsu. “You can say it represented of one was reportedly trying sense of perspective by ... farting. In their latest music my longing for a utopian life in Hengchun before I to have a child again with permutation, the jaunty, provocative lyrics contrast with actually moved there.” husband Nicholas Tse (謝霆 Hsu’s laid-back vocals and stripped-down guitar and bass. Relax One’s sound has evolved from the rock and 鋒) to save their marriage in Frontman Hsiao Mao chose the name Relax One punk ethos of the band’s early days to its current the wake of her star turn in because the band’s motto is to “take it easy and have electronica and psychedelic-flavored fusion. the Edison Chen (陳冠希) sex fun.” Each band member works in the music industry: “Having a child changes everything. I want to sing in photo scandal. Hsiao Mao does album and concert production, Ah Kuei a more relaxed atmosphere these days,” says Hsu, who and Hsiaorenguo work on other music projects when gave birth to her first child 10 months ago. “Our musical Bump watch is officially over not performing with their own band, and Hsu has been tastes have broadened a lot. We never thought before for Cecilia Cheung. Photo: Taipei times making a living singing in pubs. that we could be this eclectic.”

BY Catherine Shu BY David Chen RESTAURANTS TIDBITS reative Taiwanese cuisine presented but memorable We cleansed our palettes with California Grill meets rustic tranquility at Shi- appetizers. The centerpiece was homemade drinking vinegars, Address: 1, Ln 238, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段238巷1號) Yang Culture Restaurant (食 a slice of homemade peanut tofu, one brewed with rose petals and C養山房), located at a mountainside which had a grainy texture but a the other with pineapple. Both Telephone: (02) 8771-9423 Average meal: NT$250 Open: Mondays to Saturdays 11:30pm to 9pm; Sundays noon to 9pm property on Yangmingshan. The pudding-like consistency. were excellent and served as the Petite Cuisine Brasserie Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards not accepted restaurant, which first opened as The bite-size portion of chilled perfect segue to the latter half by JQ at the Evergreen a modest teahouse in Sindian in eggplant, string beans and a sliver of the meal, where the flavors Laurel Hotel, 63 1996, offers one of Taipei’s more of ginger was a symphony of grew more intense. Shi-Yang LaSongjiang Road, Taipei City (台 alifornia Grill opened its California Grill has three unique dining experiences. flavors and textures: silky and rich, added an imaginative twist to 北市松江路63) has rolled out a second location in Taipei’s burgers on its menu made Shi-Yang is about slowing down, sweet and crunchy, light and zesty. mochi (麻糬), filling their savory home and corporate catering East District (東區) last exclusively with chicken soaking in the sights and savoring One of my dining companions version of this sticky rice cake service. Csummer, but recently expanded breast. The best is the very every morsel. It takes three hours had already been won over by with mullet roe and then frying The brainchild of Justin its previously tiny storefront. flavorful teriyaki chicken breast to serve this artfully presented another bite-sized hors d’oeuvre: it in a light tempura batter. The Quek (郭文秀), a member of The restaurant, which is right (NT$155), the worst for your 10-course meal, which is priced at smoked salmon wrapped in mochi was accompanied by a the Confrerie de la Chaine behind the Sogo on Dunhua arteries is the breaded fried NT$1,100 per person (NT$935 for roasted green pepper and topped slice of sweet potato, also fried in des Rotisseurs who runs South Road (敦化南路), is plainly chicken sandwich (NT$165) vegetarians). There is no a la carte with onion and salmon roe. Her tempura batter, served on a bed French restaurants in decorated but roomy and, like and the most original is the selection — the prix fixe menu is reaction: “This was worth the trip.” of cabbage. Shanghai, Taipei and his native California Grill’s Yongkang hidden valley (NT$195), which determined by whatever fresh and The appetizers were followed East and West came together Singapore, La Petite has Street (永康街) location, features is topped with red onion, local ingredients are available. by a light, frothy concoction of in the salami roll, a slice of Italian garnered rave reviews. a flat-screen television that sprouts, pepper jack cheese, The lush forest grounds of blended strawberries and passion dried sausage served on top of His Just In Bistro & Wine plays TV shows of extreme bacon, is smothered in ranch Shi-Yang, which cover around 5 fruit, served in ceramic espresso mushroom fried rice and shaped Bar on Zhongxiao East Road sports on constant rotation. The dressing and comes in a whole hectares, look more like a quiet cups with a flower on the side. like nigiri sushi. This dish was offers French comfort food footage might give you ideas wheat bun. Despite the very spiritual retreat. Indeed, owner and Also worth the trip. one exception to the restaurant’s with a few upscale twists. for how to burn off the calories piquant ingredients, however, chef Lin Pin-hui (林炳輝) lives there Each course arrives at a relaxed local-ingredients-only ethos. The new service is available you’ll consume in the form of the hidden valley sandwich with around 20 staff members; pace — enough time to marvel The highlight of the meal, a in the Taipei area for parties California Grill’s hamburgers. was bland compared to the they start every morning together over the food, sip high mountain fragrant chicken soup with lotus of six or more. Two weeks to The restaurant was founded restaurant’s burgers. The pepper by reading Buddhist prayers. tea (高山茶) and admire the root and mushroom, was also the one month advance notice is by two Americans in 2007 and jack cheese and red onions Before entering one of the surroundings. Wall-sized windows most visually pleasing. The waiter required, depending on the scale features patties made with 100 were the dominant flavors California Grill features burgers, chicken restaurant’s three dining rooms, offer views of the adjacent gardens brought the soup over in a clay of the event. A range of seasonal percent USDA beef. Vegetarians and overwhelmed the other sandwiches, salads and other American- patrons take off their shoes to walk during the day; candles light pot, opened the lid and then placed set menus, desserts and buffets and health-conscious diners will ingredients, including the juicy style offerings made from premium on the tatami-covered floor. The the space in the evenings. The a dried “perfume lotus flower” 香( are available. A typical set lunch also find plenty of options. All chicken breast. ingredients. Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times minimalist decor has a decidedly recorded sounds of a Chinese 水蓮花) on top. The petals opened menu costs NT$2,000 per person, burgers are served with a side of If you can’t decide what Zen flavor, with table displays of zither set a contemplative mood, up before our eyes, and seemed to for a minimum of six guests, salad or thick-cut fries. to order, consider the sliders The Valley Girl is the house sutras written on scrolls and a few while the lively chatter of diners melt into the soup. and for dinner, it’s NT$2,500 per A standout on California platter (NT$250), which includes salad that is served as a side antique Chinese sculptures. brings a cozy warmth to the room. A floral theme runs throughout person. For further information, Grill’s menu is the Mofo burger four mini-burgers (beef, chicken, with hamburgers and is NT$140 Shi-Yang’s meals are a healthier the meal — a large sprig of fern call (02) 2509-0332. (NT$195), which is a beef patty salmon and tofu) and a salad when ordered as a dish. take on the traditional Taiwanese adorned a platter of fresh abalone, Starbucks is going local. or teriyaki chicken breast or fries. The slice of Canadian The restaurant’s weekday banquet. Seafood shows up in squid sushi rolls and sashimi tuna Well, ever so slightly. Taiwanese topped with bacon, American freshwater salmon fillet was lunch specials (NT$159 each many dishes, but fresh vegetables wraps were served on a bed of teas have debuted on the coffee cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and plump and delicious (it comes from 11:30am to 3pm) include receive a lot of emphasis. ice. But one of the most beautiful- empire’s menu here. garlic mayo on a white bread as a regular-sized sandwich a Napa Valley, Green Goddess Each course was a surprise looking dishes was the simplest: a Oriental Beauty Tea (東方美 bun (a tofu version is available for NT$200), while the tofu, salad or two classic beef, teriyaki or delight, often both. Our meal steamed egg custard, served in a 人茶), an oolong variety unique for NT$175). The smorgasbord marinated in a sesame, soy chicken breast, tofu or breaded started with a trio of sparsely ceramic cup and tray glazed in pale to that relies on green of flavors, from the savory and ginger sauce, was also fried chicken sliders with French blue with a freshly cut crimson leaf cicadas which suck the bacon to the sharp cheddar surprisingly satisfying, even fries or salad. Each set includes flower on the side. plant’s sap before it is picked and cheese, is satisfying. Another though its texture is softer and iced tea (soda for NT$15 more). Food for body and soul. Photo: david chen, Taipei Times Shi-Yang is currently in the fermented to impart the dried particularly decadent option less toothsome than the meat- process of moving to another product with honey notes, Bi Luo is the western bacon burger filled sandwiches. mountainside property in Sijhih Chun (碧螺春), a naturally sweet (NT$205), beef or teriyaki California Grill offers three 食養山房 (汐止), which opens in mid- green tea, and Fancy Black Tea chicken topped with strips of salads. The Green Goddess and Shi-Yang Culture Restaurant December. The Yangmingshan (蜜香紅茶), are available by the bacon, BBQ sauce and cheddar Napa Valley (both NT$160) are Address: 160, Ln 101, Jingshan Rd, Shilin Dist, Taipei City (台北市士林區菁山路101巷160號) Telephone: (02) 2862-0078 location is open until then. The cup (NT$105), or in a packet of a cheese with a heap of crispy, topped with hot, freshly grilled Open: Tuesday to Sunday noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm Average meal: NT$1,100 per person, NT$935 per person for vegetarian meal restaurant’s Web site has details dozen tea bags (NT$280). fresh onion rings on top for chicken breast and are hearty Details: Reservations recommended two weeks in advance on weekdays and six weeks for weekends. The restaurant moves to a new on the new location. some extra crunch. enough for meals by themselves. location in December. Visit www.shi-yang.com for details and the new address. Credit cards accepted Reservations are a must.