VIBE

A hot venture opened by several Taiwanese scenesters, this sleek Japanese eatery offers a set menu of almost a dozen dishes. Don't worry, though; you won't regret entrusting your dinner to the locally renowned former chef from Momoyama, Shinbaru Satoshi. There’s an open kitchen that allows diners to view the action as well as the amazingly fresh seafood and vegetables on display (just looking at the ingredients had us giddy in our seats). Seating is limited to approximately seven tables and a bar area of eight seats. Everybody seems to know everybody else, making the atmosphere that much more convivial.

CROWD

A well-connected group of Taiwanese locals.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Something trendy with your newest couture acquisitions.

GO HERE WITH

A date; a couple of trendy friends

WHY WE LIKE IT

Even though it's a scene, its modern takes on Japanese fare satisfy even the most discerning palates. And we loved the counter seats, where we got a bird's-eye view of the cooking action and the lovely display of all the fresh ingredients being used that evening.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

There’s just one set menu, so even though the menu itself allows for some meat, some fish, and some veggies, our choices were limited.

GOOD TO KNOW

The head chef left the very traditional Japanese restaurant Momoyama in the Sheraton Taipei Hotel and is now blending his classic Eastern techniques with updated Western spins to create innovative dishes. Despite the set menu, a couple of the courses do offer a choice (when we went, we had a choice of prawns or a beef cut).

CLOSEST COMPS

Sumie Nouvelle Cuisine Japonaise (Taipei); Mitsui Cuisine (Taipei)