"Kanpai" series

Although it's been very popular recently, Japanese style grill's never been my favorite until I found " Kanpai Classic" in the A9 (One of the department store buildings in Xing-I area, Taipei). Most of these types of restaurants are usually dark inside, sometimes even smoky and greasy. This one is completely different, it's bright and joyful, the staff are well trained,  friendly and willing to chat with you. (Most of the same type of places do have this kind of atmosphere, though.)

There are tables, private rooms as well, but the most comfortable and interesting area is the bar. They prepare everything for you and the air circulates better there. (In the table or private room area you still have to grill your food yourselves when they are too busy. Unless you are one of the clients who prefer to do it yourself.)

The beef quality is pretty good here, I recommend the thin sliced type, it's better and cheaper than the steak. (Although they pull a cart and have a Japanese chef slice it beside your table, it's more a show than the real quality.)

To pair with your meal, they have really good draft beer, both dark and light, Sake's not bad either but more pricey. Serve wines as well.

Cover of the menu.

Two type of Miso sauce on the side, middle one is the sesame sauce.

The hot Miso sauce is especially good.

Order a salad to balance your meal.

The portion is quite generous, you can share between two people.

The grapefruit dressing is light and healthy. 

Salmon roll with avocado was not bad but nothing special.

Different type of beef.

If you prefer the Korean style, you can dip the beef in the sesame sauce, add a bit of lemon juice and salt, then wrap it in a piece of lettuce with some rice. Better to order the kind of rice they serve in a special pot, also comes with  some Japanese style Kimji and "Tea", it's really a light broth you can pour in the bowl to eat with rice, Nori and some wasabi.

This kind was more tender.

This type was my favorite.

Very thin slices with some chive or radish purée wrapped inside.

Tender, juicy and had a very nice aroma, melts right in your mouth. 

Left to right:

Lemon juice, soy sauce and a kind of very fine salt, almost powdery.

Our Sake.

NT$1680 per bottle or otherwise NT$200 per glass.

A bit pricey for this type of Sake but still better than ordering a bottle of lousy wine for the same price.

*****

From the same company there's "Wine Kanpai" in the Breeze Center.

Less pricey ( the beef quality's also less good) but has a pretty good wine selection,

includes mostly good valued, not too expensive wines.

You can see the cellar from outside.

Set menus, but of course you can order à la carte as well.

Sake selection.

Whites.

Reds.

Chandon from Moët, produced in Australia.

Very disappointed because it wasn't quite as good as the one from California.

This Alsatian white was much better,

in fact, we ordered a case after tasting it.

Not sure if it goes well with the beef, though.

Soup and bread were good but really heavy.

Kimji was not bad.

Salad, fresh but nothing special.

Meat was overall a bit too oily and sometimes chewy.

Desserts were pretty good,

especially the homemade almond biscuits.

Very convenient to have a Starbucks next door.

*****

They also have some inexpensive "Kanpei" restaurants, the beef quality's not recommended at all, but if you just want to go out and get drunk with some friends without spending too much money, and still  get a hint of friendly, noisy Japanese grill ambiance, then it's worth it.