Most active in promoting a Christmas spirit are five-star hotels, which generally offer a plethora of set menus and special decorations as well as the usual activities--caroling, for example, and photos with Santa Claus. Other places where you may find a Christmas spirit are those which offer western cuisine or western-style entertainment, like a few pubs. While most independent outlets had not confirmed their holiday activities at press time, the hotels had already finalized their activities for Christmas this year.
Although the expatriate community has grown to become quite substantial, many foreign residents leave the country during the holiday season to spend Christmas either at home or in sunnier climates. Therefore, the Taipei American School shuts down and most of Tienmu is fairly quiet during the holidays. Holiday parties will abound for those still left in Taipei, but you'll have to keep your ear to the ground to find out where they are as plans generally aren't set until a week before at the most.
Feasting and Fun
The Sherwood, known for its subdued elegance and intimate hotel feel, will celebrate the holidays in signature style. Activities will be kept to a minimum, with four choices of set menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On offer will be: Italian, American, Chinese, and German/Austrian; one for each of the hotel's elegantly appointed restaurants (Toscana, Grill Room, Yi-Yuan, and Westwood). Prices for the set menus range from NT$1,200 to NT$2,800 at the Sherwood, which is located at 111, Minsheng East Road, Section 3 (Tel: 718-1188).
The Grand Hyatt Taipei, located in the Taipei World Trade Center complex, continues its bustling, active ambiance with caroling in the lobby and set menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. According to Julian Chang, executive sous chef, "Each outlet will combine festive touches with their specialty cuisine. Baguettes, our bakery area on the first floor, will be decorated as a giant ginger bread castle and offer chocolates, cookies, and gingerbread houses for take out." Special Christmas Eve set dinners will be available in Ziga Zaga (Italian), Canton Garden (Cantonese cuisine), Shanghai Court (Shanghainese delicacies), Irodori (Japanese fare), Bel-Air (Californian menu), Cheers Pub, and Plaza Cafe. Christmas Day dinners will be available in all the restaurants as well, except for Bel-Air. Prices range from NT$1,500 to NT$3,500, depending on the restaurant and menu chosen. The Grand Hyatt is located at 2 Sungshou Road. For reservations, call 720-1234, ext. 3198/99.
To fill its grand atrium, the Grand Formosa Regent will launch Christmas activities on the 24th of November with a tree lighting ceremony. The tree will stand over 40 feet tall and serve as the centerpiece throughout the rest of the season. The TTV Children's Choir will provide accompanying entertainment, performing favorite Christmas carols. Caroling and dance performances will continue on Saturdays and Sundays preceding Christmas, plus special appearances by Santa Claus. Seasonal menus will be served in all the restaurants, with Christmas Eve parties in the Brasserie and Cafe Studio. The Regent is located at 41 Chungshan North Road, Section 2 (Tel: 523-8000).
The newest addition to Taipei's luxury hotels, the Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, launches the holiday season with a Christmas tree, billed as Taiwan's tallest. The tree will be lit during a ceremony on December 5. A "Winter Wonderland" theme will be continued through special set menus, decorations, and other activities. Holiday menus at the Atrium Cafe, Marco Polo (East-meets-West-style cuisine), Shang Palace (Cantonese), and Hollywood Underground (American-style food) will range in price from NT$850 to NT$1,200 for lunch and from NT$950 to NT$2,500 for dinner. Dinner plus party activities will be featured in the Hollywood Underground on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day. The Far Eastern Plaza Hotel is located at 201 Tunhua South Road, Section 2 (Tel: 378-8888).
One of Taipei's longest-established luxury hotels, the Ritz, has long been known for personalized service and an intimate, European feel. To take out traditional goodies, look for the Log Cabin Gourmet Corner at the Ritz from December 11 to 25. Choose from an array of exclusive traditional holiday fare, much of it prepared by the chefs at the Ritz: pates, cheeses, wines, gingerbread houses, and Christmas log cakes. A special Christmas Eve package consisting of dinner for two at the elegant Paris 1930 plus overnight suite accommodation and breakfast the morning after will be on offer for NT$10,000. Dinner buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will include wandering minstrels and a special appearance by Santa Claus. Paris 1930 will also be offering a holiday set menu to the accompaniment of a chamber music quartet.
The proliferation of American-style restaurants-as-entertainment eateries cropping up all over Taiwan will also be offering set menus and special dishes to celebrate the Christmas holidays. Although many of these won't be finalized until closer to the day, you may want to check out TGI Friday's, Dan Ryan's, Tony Roma's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Trader Vic's, and, of course, the Hard Rock Cafe. A few independent western-style restaurants will also be offering special menus. The chef at Lulu's, an airy Californian style restaurant, will be whipping up some delicious concoctions in the spirit of the season. Lulu's is located at #9, Lane 113, Minsheng East Road, Section 3 (Tel: 713-2250). Particularly good are the desserts, which may include some specialties during the Christmas season. Most Christian churches will be offering special services. To enter the true spirit of Christmas and giving, you may also want to consider donating some time to charity. Several organizations are very active in Taiwan, and plan special activities for the holidays. A partial recommended list would include: Christian Salvation Services (Tel: 729-5961); Sister Therese Tang at The Good Shepard Sisters (Tel: 383-2377), The Salvation Army (Tel: 738-1079); and Ms. Hong-ya Chang at the Charity Clearinghouse (Tel: 762-2941).
The International Community Radio Taiwan (ICRT) will host its annual Light Up a Life Christmas charity drive, where each pledge of NT$1,000 lights up a bulb on a giant Christmas tree. Working with local language media and multinational companies in Taiwan, ICRT runs this special fundraising drive for two months, starting December 1. NT$10 million was raised last year for the Children's Cancer Foundation, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation, Child Welfare League Foundation, and other similar charities. Stay tuned for details...