A Great Movie Watching Experience – Ta Chien Cinema @ the Westin Taipei Hotel. Movies: October 2012: "ARGO"; November 2012: 007 "Skyfall"

A Great Movie Watching Experience 

Ta Chien Cinema @ the Westin Taipei Hotel

Westin Taipei Address: No. 133, Section 3, Nánjīng East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 104

Everyone loves movies.  It is one of the world’s most enjoyable things to do and most movie goers go to movies often to see thier favorite movies or just to get out of the house.  For young and old, going to a movie theater is a great date, day or night, and it can be fun, entertaining and romantic.

I personally love to watch movies at a movie theater or even at home.  I enjoy it much more than watching normal TV programming, and my first thing to do when I turn on the TV is to look and see what movies are being shown on local channels, HBO, Cinemax, ShowTime, etc.

I can remember back in Ohio going on my first date to a movie theater.  It was a “blind date”.  My friend fixed me up with his girfriend’s best friend.  I was excited, scared, and nervous about the blind date and for these reasons, I really do not remember what was movie showing.   I remember it cost me fifty cents in the US ($0.50), (today it is about $10.00 US).  The four of us all sat in the back of the movie theater in the corner, and I did more holding hands, whispering and kissing, than movie watching.  Years later when I got my automobile drivers license and car, the best date was not at the indoor movie theater, but at the outdoor, drive-in movie theater (much more private and relaxing).  Since then, I have watched probably more than 1 thousand movies in hundred’s and hundred’s of movie theaters in the US and around the world.  There are simply to many theaters and movies to count or remember exactly.   

Courtesy of" cinematreasures.org"

In the US, you can find the older, almost historic, boutique movie theaters in downtown areas of small cities and towns.  Today most of those are now replaced with the mega-movie theaters with modern conveniences, and 10 to 20 or even more movies being shown at the same time.  Most movie theaters cram in so many seats, so close together, it is not the most comfortable place to watch movies. 

Courtesy of flicker.com

In San Francisco California, I have gone to a couple of theaters, including the famous Clay Theater, built in 1910 that only shows eclectic movies, foreign films, and "classics" that you won’t find on TV or at other theaters. 

The Hackworth IMAX dome theater in San Jose, CA

In San Jose California, I went to my first 84mm IMAX movie experience in the Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, part of the Tech Museum of San Jose.  The dome panoramic view is a thrilling sight and sound experience that was almost a sensory overload on my first visit.   In Shanghai, I went to a modern shopping mall theater and watched a Qing dynasty movie in Chinese with English subtitles.

But today in Taipei Taiwan, I got the chance to watch the movie “ARGO” at the Westin Taipei’s Ta Chien theater which for me is unlike any other movie theater I have ever experienced. I plan on going again soon.  

 The theater only shows one movie each month or so.   Argo is being shown in October, and the new 007 movie SkyFall will be shown in November.

I truly enjoyed the movie, a riveting story based on the Iran-American Hostage crisis of the 1980’s, so go see the movie. But,  now lets talk about the Ta Chien Theater.

Located on the B2 floor of the Westin Taipei Hotel, it is a quiet and lovely setting for a movie theater, but you can find this at other modern movie theaters.  So what is so terrific about this To Chien theater movie experience?

The theater layout of 30 seats

Price List per person or to rent the entire theater

The movie theater is small and only seats 30 people.  You can even rent out the whole theater for a group party.  Each “love seat” has two regular pillows, two small “throw pillows”, two comfortable foot stools, two small end tables for food and drinks, and one, yes only one, blanket for two people to snuggle up together and enjoy the movie.  

The screen is not as large as commercial mega theaters, but in this small intimate setting, you don’t need a huge screen.  It certainly is much larger than any “home theater” screen I have ever seen.

They have a great menu that you can order in advance and have it delivered to your seat. 

So talk your best friend, lover, or spouse to the Ta Chien Theater, enjoy their selection of food, snacks, beverage, and even a small cup of Haagen daz ice cream.  

Get ready for a fun, relaxing and memorable movie watching experience.  

One final note, get there one time or in advance.  The movies start promptly, and they really prefer not to let people walk in the theater once the movie has started.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wines & Wendel's Baked Goods and German Sausage

Fabulously Fragrant: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wines & Wendel's Baked Goods and German Sausage

I had the opportunity to taste six (6) varieties of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines with a Variety of Baked breads and German Schnitzel/Sausages .  What a unique and powerfully satisfying palette combination.

John H. Isacs, CEO of Enjoy Gourmet brought together these wonderful white wines from New Zealand with the fine German baked goods and cooked sausages by Wendel’s Restaurant of Taipei.   More than forty (40) people attended this event and enjoyed it so thoroughly that many lingered several hours to enjoy the food and wine.  John gave a detailed and stimulating presentation on new Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines, spoken in Chinese.  While I do not speak Mandarin, I was able to speak with John for a good amount of time to hear his passion for these fine quality New Zealand wines and the Wendel’s bakery.

The Evening started well attended and enthusiastic about NZ Sauvignon Blanc wines

Enjoy Gourmet

Address: 4F-2, No. 311, Cec. 4, Chung Hsaio E. Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan

Phone: +886 2 27813098

Website: www.enjoygourmet.com

Email: isacs@enjoygourmet.com

Wendel’s

Address:  No. 28, Lane 260, Guāngfù South Road, Dà'ān District, Taipei

地址: 台北市大安區光復南路260巷28號

Phone: (02) 2711-8919

Website: http://www.wendels-bakery.com/index.asp

Email: shop@wendels-bakery.com

MRT:  Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station, 1 to 2 minute walk from MRT Station.

 

People of all ages Love Wendel's Bakery

This upscale and trendy bakery has some of the most tempting baked goods and deserts in Taipei.  There German beads, pretzels and deserts were certainly highlights for me that you will seldom ever see in other Taipei bakeries.  I was so tempted, I selected several boxes of deserts to take home with me!

So Tempting ....... Yummy

In my business career, I have had a chance to taste wines from around the globe.  In my travels, I have visited the Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace Lorraine, and Chablis regions of France; the Mosel, Baden, Saar, Reingau, and Nahe regions of Germany, and many fine wine regions throughout Italy and Spain as well as other European countries.  Living in Northern California has also afforded me numerous opportunities to visit Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Russian River, and other areas such as Paso Robles.  In these travels, I managed to build up my wine cellar to more than hundreds of bottles of wine and more than 150 varieties from 60+ wine producers.  I feel blessed to have also had the chance to enjoy most of those fine wines.

I do not consider myself a knowledgeable and  experienced wine tasting aficionado, but I do know a great deal about wines, and wines that satisfy my discriminating tastes and palette. 

Forget about the old wives tale that red wined should only be served with red meats such as beef, and white wines should only be served with fish and seafood.  The simple truth is if you like a wine, and the wine enhances your eating experience with any type of food, then this is a good choice for you.  

New Zealand Wines @ the Wine Tasting

I have tried red and white wines with German foods in my many travels throughout Germany, but mostly light red wines such as a rose, and or a pinot noir, and white wines such as the sweeter Rieslings…..but never a Sauvignon Blanc.

Typical Sauvignon Blanc Grape on the Vine

Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape planted throughout the world.  California is a major producer as well as New Zealand, but fine wines also abound in world regions such as Australia, Austria, Chile, and France’s Bordeaux region.  Dryer than some other white wine varieties, Sauvignon Blanc wines can vary widely in quality, taste/finish, bouquet, and style. I have tried these wines that are crisp yet zesty, smooth to sharp, grassy to lush and many with a wide range of fruity tones including tropical fruits.

Sources indicate that there are almost 14,000 hectares of grape vines in the small country of New Zealand, producing some very high quality wines.  In the early nineteenth century around 1820 or so, missionaries began planting grape vines in New Zealand.  In the last several decades, New Zealand has entered the global wine arena with almost 500 wine producing companies. The primary New Zealand white grapes include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and limited Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau and Viognier.  The primary New Zealand red grapes include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and limited Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, Montepulciano and Sangiovese. Most of New Zealand red wines seem to be varietal blends of these wonderful red grapes.

NZ Wine Regions Map - Courtesy of New Zealand Winegrowers.

The wines we tasted at this event were all from the Marlborough region except one from Waipara.  I have added my first impression notes about each of the wines that I tasted.

#1 – Marlborough: Wairau River, 2010

First Impression Notes: A fresh and fruity nose that sparks hints of a citrus lime chiffon and florals.  Lively yet rich and buttery on the palette, with a smooth and soft finish.   I need to go back and try this one again. 

#2 – Marlborough: Saint Clair Fire Road, 2011

First Impression Notes: A strong vibrant nose with hints of Key Limes, and kiwi fruit.  Mildly dry and crisp, yet fruity and refreshing.  Nicely balanced acidity with a lasting and tantalizing finish.

#3 – Waipara: Main Divide, 2010

First Impression Notes: A spicy herb and fruity nose with intense grassy and peppery taste with hints of butterscotch, guava and sharp citrus. Balanced with a spirited acidity and a dry, sharp, lingering finish.

#4 – Marlborough: Kim Crawford, 2011

First Impression Notes: A wonderful fruity nose with strong hints of green apples, Asian pears and stone fruit.  Lightly herbaceous and mildly dry on the palette with a lasting and firey finish.   

#5 – Marlborough: Villa Maria Private Bin, 2011

First Impression Notes: A sweet and fruity nose with hints of licorice. Zesty flavors of  lemon-lime, gooseberry, and passion fruit.  Slightly tart, spirited acidity, yet refreshing on the palette, with lots of fruit.  A nice, long lasting finish.

#6 – Marlborough: Giesen The Brothers, 2010

First Impression Notes: A fruity and intense nose with hints of kumquats, lime and citrus.  Medium bodied and mouth-watering with a burst of vibrant gooseberry, Fuji apple, and tart passion fruit on the palette.  Crisp acidity and a long zesty finish tempting for more.

I must say that I was not disappointed in any of these wines, and would certainly enjoy all of them again.  My favorite of the group is the Wairau River, 2010 and I enjoyed several more glasses.

The surprise of the evening is how incredibly well these wines went with the sensational German sausage and sour kraut.  These zesty and spirited Sauvignon Blanc’s brought out the best of the sausage, and gave a real intensity to the sausage meats and herbs.  For me, this combination really works! 

Wendel's Baked Breads

Wendel's Delicious German Sausages

New Zealand Fine Sauvignon Blanc Wines

So if you are planning an event and you are considering German Sausages, Bread, Pretzels and Sweets or similar cuisine as appetizers, a main course, or desert, definitely shop at a  Wendel’s near you, and offer one or more of these fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines for your friends and guests to thoroughly enjoy. 

 

Bon Appetit!