Pub Lunch With Kids - Carnegie's Taipei

In my single, partying days, I would never have imagined I would one day be recommending Carnegie's as a place to take your kids for lunch or early dinner.  And, I believe a few readers will also be surprised that I am recommending this place as a dining option for families. Including your Taiwanese inlaws.  But, we have been there a few times with the whole family, and even though the food is not all fantastic, it's a really good place to enjoy a bit of a pub atmosphere, relax, and feed your kids.

Carnegie's is more of a British-style pub, with British food and Indian curries on the menu.  They have a great range of drinks and all kinds of Happy Hours.  If you like English-style breakfasts/brunches, then this is certainly the place for you.  Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of this kind of meal, but I do like the curries. I have been disappointed with a couple of dishes I have ordered.  With kids in tow, though, we can sacrifice a bit of inconsistency in food delivery in return for a child-friendly place to let the adults relax.

So, why I am recommending this place?  The big winner is the diaper changing table in the women's bathroom.  That alone cries, "We welcome your baby!"  (I'm not sure how the young ladies partying up feel about it when they are there late on the weekends, though.) Then, there is the fact you can find a nice corner or patio where your kids won't bother too many diners.  Finally, you can find food and drink that will keep your kids happy while you relax with a meal and drink.

There is a park nearby that you can take your children to if they really get out-of-hand.  Ask the staff for directions.

Whether you are long-term resident or a visitor to Taipei, I think you will find Carnegie's is a good option for a family meal.

Address: 1F 100 An Ho Road, Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. (台北市安和路二段100號1F)
Tel: 02-2325 4433

Hours: 11am-late daily

A Bit of an Ego Boost: One Lovely Blog Award

I was surprised to get an email from Taiwanxifu telling me I had been awarded a “One Lovely Blog Award”.

This award is a little bit of a "self-promotional" award and comes with a few conditions, but it's still lovely to be recognised and a bit of fun in a dreary Taipei week.  Thanks, Taiwanxifu!

I now have to:
1. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award (Taiwanxifu).
2. Tell you seven facts about me you might not know.
3. Pass the awards along to as many as fifteen blogs I have found recently.
4. Notify the bloggers of their awards.

So, on to number two.  What's to tell?

1. I live in a Western-style wooden cottage built my Taiwanese husband, near the North-East coast of Taiwan.  It's a bit different from most residents of Taiwan.  We often have guests come by to enjoy the view and the fresh air.  It's wonderfully inspiring to look out the window and see hills and greenery.

2. I'm a die-hard American Idol fan.  I'm a sucker for talent shows, and have the CDs of three participants, including my personal favorite, Adam Lambert.  I check online every few days to see updates on the current series.  Do you have any personal favorites this 2011 season?

3. When I met my husband, I was a lifeguard with the Taiwan Red Cross.  It was definitely one of the best times of my life, and I hope I can complete the instructor certificate when my children are a little older.  I had just started the training for that when I got pregnant with my eldest child.  (I thoroughly recommend doing something like that to improve your Chinese and make lifelong friends.)

4. I've written two children's books.  Well, actually, four, but only two have been published so far.  You can see them online at my own store.  I can ship internationally and take PAYPAL.

5. I'm terribly disorganised.  The kids and I leave a trail of chaos wherever we go; just ask the family!

6. I love cycling.  I look forward to the day I can do long cycling trips again.

7. I'm afraid of horses.  My sister had two.  I find them uncontrollable, uncomfortable, and time consuming.  They just make me nervous.

Number three is a little tricky.  I haven't had much time to read others' blogs recently.  When the little one gets over her fever, I promise to do a thorough reading of other blogs!  Will update my findings.

Now, on to number four...

2011 March 19: Taipei American School Orphanage Club Book Fair

This annual charity event was supposed to be last week but was postponed due to bad weather.  It is a huge sale of secondhand books for everyone.  Entry is free.  Happy shopping!

Venue: Taipei American School lobby (800 Chungshan North Road, Sec 6, Taipei.  中山北路6段800號:  台北美國學校)
Just South of Tienmu West/East Road.  Parking is kind of hard to find.  You can park in the underground carpark under that big turning circle at the intersection of Tienmu West Road and Chungshan North Road.
Time: 10am-5pm

2011 March 26: Aboriginal Musical Performance

Minho High School students (Nantou County) will perform an aborginal musical titled "The Story of the Hunting Sun" on Saturday March, 26,2011.  The show is open to children and adults aged three and older.  Admission is free, but each person is limited to booking four seats.

The students have been getting musical training from "Rosy-Clouds Foundation".

Venue: Musical Theater, Industrial Bank of Taiwan,  No. 99, Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd, Neihu, Taipei.
Time: 2pm-4pm (Show one hour, activity one hour)
Reservations: Email: rosyclouds2003@gmail.com.  List your name, number of tickets you need, contact telephone and email.

You are invited to an aboriginal musical “ The Story of Hunting Sun”on Sat, Mar.26, 2011 at 2pm. It is a legend of Bunon Tribe and is a very interesting show for the entire family. The performers are Minho High School students from Nantou County. The students get extra musical training once a week and are supported by Rosy-Clouds Foundations. The show is presented at Industrial Bank of Taiwan, Tiding Blvd Sec.2 No.99 in Neihu, free of admission. Kids age under three are not allowed. You may reserve your seats by filling the information below and email to rosyclouds2003@gmail.com.

April/May 2011: Children's Opera & Orchestra - "The Mice War"

Experimental Theater, Taipei and the National Symphony Orchestra present David Chesky's "The Mice War" , in Chinese.

Tickets:  TWD500 each, 20% off with a student ID or four family purchases of four tickets (each child and adult needs to buy a ticket)
Performance length: 70 mins, no break
Dates: 4/29, 4/30 7:30pm; 4/30, 5/1 2:30pm
Venue: National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center (No. 21-1 Chungshan Sth Rd Sec 1, Taipei, CKS Memorial Hall)
Tickets through http://www.artsticket.com.tw/ Tel: 02-3393-9888

**Here is a list of upcoming family concerts at the Center.

March 19, 2011: Taipei European Spring Fair; Easter Family Event

The Parents' Association at Taipei European School (TES) is organising a Spring Festival on Saturday 19 March, from 11am until 2pm. Activities include Easter Egg Hunts, bouncy castles and pony rides.  There will also be a bit of a book sale, so take along a little money so you take advantage of the great reading material offered.

Address: 727 Wenlin Road, Shilin, Taipei (near Zhi Shan MRT station, Danshui Line)

English-speaking Travel Agent (In Taiwan)

Finding a travel agent in Taiwan that speaks English AND gives the kind of service that I expect (timely replies to emails, help with finding better prices or times, clear information such as whether your ticket times can be changed with or without fees, arranging travel insurance...) AND in the business long-term, is always a challenge for me.  Recently, I had the pleasure of booking tickets through Teresa Kuo.  Teresa has been in the business for ten years, and hopefully she will be there for a while yet.

Her travel agency deals with both domestic and international travel and tours, so if you are coming to Taiwan you could email her to see if she has tour suggestions for you.

專業旅遊經紀人 郭嘉琪 Travel Consultant (Teresa Kuo)

華通旅行社有限公司 EGO Travel Service Agency, Co., Ltd
電話：2521-2050 2567-6910
傳真：8192-6640
手機：0939-453-529
地址：台北市中山區南京東路二段56號 6樓
6F., No.56, Sec. 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Email: kuoocc@yahoo.com.tw (many companies in Taiwan use Yahoo or Hotmail accounts for business, so don't be put off by the personal email account)