Formerly known as Taiwan Hotel 台灣大飯店, the Grand Hotel 圓山大飯店 is a landmark that was built in the 1950s to host foreign dignitaries. The hotel was not open to civilians until the 1990s, and before that, only higher government officials and national guests were welcomed.
The three of us (Octopus, Buddha Boy and I) dragged MomM along for lunch at the Golden Dragon Restaurant 金龍廳 in Grand Hotel 圓山大飯店. Stepping into the hotel brought back many memories for MomM and I. In my childhood days, due to my grandparents' positions with the R.O.C. government, we often tagged along for events and dinners at the hotel. Back in the days, proper attires must be worn to enter the hotel and military police 憲兵 were stationed at almost every corner of the hotel for security. Lobby lounges and pubs didn't even existed. Yes, time changes things.
Honestly, with all the good options of Cantonese food in 604, I didn't quite understand why Buddha Boy wanted dim-sum in Taiwan...okay, at least he opted for a well-known hotel to minimize disappointments, right? Well...WRONG!!! The service sucks, the food sucks, the experience sucks. One try at this five-star landmark hotel was more than enough.
For dinner, Dr.L and Mme.S (plus their daughter, NH) invited MomM, BigPole, Buddha Boy and I for Japanese food at their canteen, Shabuzan 禪日本料理, located on the twelve floor of Dayeh Takashimaya 大葉高島屋 in Shilin District 士林區. Octopus was also invited, but she had something more important to attend...her date with HoCloud...hahahahahaha!
The main reason why Dr.L insisted our attendance was for his special order of Toro Sashimi 黑鮪魚肚生魚片...yes, the melt-in-your-mouth toro sashimi...OMG!!!
Dr.L split the toro into two styles: sashimi and nigirizushi (hand-formed sushi). We enjoyed the sushi more than the sashimi. There were four plates of toro nigirizushi (each plate had seven pieces) to share amongst the six of us...but the hillbilly, me, finished at least a plate to myself...hahahahahaha!
Honestly, other than the blue fin tuna, we weren't too pleased with the food. Buddha Boy complained that there weren't any meaty dishes...hahaha! Yup, the big boy needed meat!!!
After dinner, BigPole dropped us off at a prawn-fishing joint before heading home to Yilan Country 宜蘭縣. Octopus and HoCloud joined us for a battle of prawn-fishing. Unfortunately, it was a sad night and the five of us only caught sixteen...WE SUCK!!!
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