COMPASS MAGAZINE, March 2001. VOL.8 ISSUE 3

KENG CHI TEA VILLAGE 11, Tsun Chung Street Tel: 2378-0450; Hours: 10 a.m.-12 midnight (12-2 p.m. lunch, 6-9 p.m. dinner)

It's hard to find a more peaceful setting than that enjoyed by this new traditional-style teahouse, located on the quiet parkway about 100 meters from Taiwan Museum of Art and Meitsun Road (and opposite Papa Mio). The remodeled two-floor house is surrounded by grass, a bubbling stream and little outdoor tables and other decorative touches, viewed perfectly through an open-air first-floor window. There are a variety of meals--all with tea and flower-related touches--costing NT$200 to NT$250, including rice, noodle, hot pot and vegetarian dishes. Teas are half-priced with meals Mondays to Fridays. However, Chinese and flower teas are the main attraction here, with individual offerings for about NT$180 and group teas for NT$250 to NT$600.These include lotus, sweet osmanthus and narcissus teas and Alishan, Shanlinhsi and Lishan varieties of oolong tea. Heading south on Chungming South Road, Tsun Chung Street is the last left turn before Wuchuan West Road; and the last right turn on Meitsun Road. There is plenty of parking in the area.