Shintori, Taipei City

Shintori is the kind of treasure you only tell your very best friends about. Tucked away in a basement and shielded by a huge bronze door, this place could be in London or New York. As the name suggests, it serves Japanese cuisine, but do not look for sushi on the menu. It is a fusion restaurant with a mix of Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese dishes presented in an avant-garde style. The food is excellent and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is hip and modern. Be sure to leave room for dessert - the stewed pears with wine jelly are delicious.