PDF file - Community Services Center

TexT: SuniTa Sue Leng
John Ang has a
mission: to show people
that there is a different
way of eating. That is
how Samyama came
about in July 2010.
At this private, fully
vegetarian kitchen,
John creates elegant
dishes that use only the
finest and healthiest
of ingredients. The
nutritional power,
flavors and colors of each dish are carefully balanced
with the principles of ayurveda, a holistic healing
practice from India, and vastu shastra, a traditional
Hindu system of design. “Color is very important for
digestion,” says John, who used to own a yoga studio.
Samyama has spread by word of mouth to become
an oasis for soulful, wholesome, creative vegetarian
food. It also doubles up a showcase for John’s
extensive collection of exquisite textiles, crystals
and rare shells. Born in Chicago, John grew up in
Singapore and has lived in Taiwan for the last 25
years, during which he has part-owned the antique
shop Art Asia on Renai Road.
For friends of the Community Services Center,
John has a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean treat in
store for our monthly
Tastes of Taipei dinner
in June. The night will
begin with a medley
of mezzes such as
Greek dolmas, baba
ghanoush, and hummus
with pita bread. The
smorgasbord continues
with a salad of
couscous/barley with
artichoke, cranberry,
mint and walnut;
Yemenite vegetable soup spiced with coriander seeds;
Yemenite baked guava with spices, onions, olives
and mushrooms; and Tunisian vegetarian pasta.
Rounding off this unique menu is a dessert of kataifi,
baklava and a date/pomegranate cake.
The dinner on June 21st will be limited to twelve
persons and is priced at NT$1,500 net per person,
a portion of which John will kindly donate back to
The Center. Diners will also have a chance to chat
with John about the philosophy behind his food and
the works of art in his gallery. Samyama is a fiveminute
walk south of the Howard Plaza Hotel, above
the corner watch shop on Fuxing South Road and
Tongfong Street. Please call John directly to make
your reservations.
Tastes of Taipei for June
Date: Tuesday, June 21st
Time: 7:15 pm
Venue: Samyama
Address:
3F-2, 342, Fuxing South road, Section 1, Taipei
台 北 市 復 興 南 路 一 段 342 號 3 樓 之 2
Tel: 0935-457-594 (John Ang)
Glittering night at the Galerie in April
There was plenty of glitter and smiles at The Center's monthly Tastes of Taipei dinner on Tuesday April 26th at the
Galerie Bistro. It was warm enough to sit out on the beautiful garden terrace of the restaurant, which is housed in
an atmospheric 1930s building off Nanjing West road. For the main course, many opted for the pan-fried sea bass
which got nods of approval. my filet mignon certainly deserved two
thumbs. Bistro owner ely also came by to chat with some of the 29
folks who turned up for this special dinner, from which a portion of
the proceeds will be donated back to The Center. A big thank you to
Desta Selassie for organizing yet another great evening.
Sunita is originally from Malaysia and moved to Taipei in 2008. She has
worked as a journalist with The Edge Singapore, and now freelances with a
business weekly. She loves good food and wine, hiking and dogs.
www.communitycenter.org.tw Summer 2011
21