Exotic International Dining in Kaohsiung / 體驗雲泰異國風 河畔休閒風
◎Texts by Fang-Ju Lin ◎Photographs by Wei-Ren Yang
Over the years Kaohsiung has become a more international. This dazzling southern city has been completely transformed over the last few years. One area in which Kaohsiung has been transformation is in the variety of intercontinental culinary delights. One of these excellent restaurants is Green Bay Restaurant which provides an outdoor dining area with an extraordinary view of the beautiful Love River.
Another delicious international restaurant includes Hi Thai. Hi Thai specializes in traditional Yunnan and Thai cuisine. The nightlife in contemporary Kaohsiung has become much more exciting with a variety of choices of restaurants that offer delicious foods and some great ambiance.
Hi Thai
Hi Thai is located on Jhongshan Road. This establishment is considered one of the most authentic Thai restaurants in Kaohsiung. The decor is eye-catching and its outer appearance resembles a traditional Thai temple. However, the exterior isn't the only thing that makes this restaurant special. Their menu not only includes Thai, but also Yunnan and Vietnamese dishes. Their clientele is diverse and even cater to people who don't particularly enjoy spicy food.
One of its interesting decorative features includes a Buddhist head which is on display near the front door. The Buddha creates a mysterious and oriental aura which is felt through out the restaurant. The decor also features glamorous mirrors, tables, chairs and small fountain come together to create a genuine southern Asia ambiance. This provides a unique and tranquil spot for city dwellers to relax.
The second floor has a different design. This lounge-style space provides a private large area to host parties from Monday to Friday. After 10pm on the weekends, exclusive DJs play pop music to spice up the atmosphere. The owner also installed a number of satellite Televisions. Now sports fans can watch live broadcasts of Chien-Ming Wang's games.
Green Bay Restaurant
Green Bay Restaurant is located on the east bank of the Love River. This fabulous restaurant is located beside the Kaohsiung Bridge on Wufu Road. The noisy traffic disappears upon entering its garden. The peaceful river provides excellent views making people forget they are in the middle of a busy city.
Green Bay Restaurant does not have the fancy interior design like Hi Thai, nor does it feature noisy music. It is the restaurant's shady garden and natural walkways which makes it a fantastic outdoor dining venue, even in the middle of a sizzling summer.
Green Bay Restaurant attracts a nature-loving crowd who come to enjoy the breezy scenic river. People from all over the world can often be seen relaxing in the garden. If the heat is truly unbearable, there is also a pleasant indoor dining area. Green Bay Restaurant provides a really delicious menu which features both Western and Chinese style dishes.
◎文．攝影／楊為仁
自從與國際接軌以來，高雄─這個南台灣最耀眼的水岸城市正加速蛻變，並反映在飲食文化上，變得更多元、也更具國際觀，在「綠水灣」，我們發現了遠離城囂的河畔美景；在「嗨泰」，則可以品嚐到傳統道地的雲泰料理，良景佳餚相佐下，絢麗的高雄夜晚才正要開始！
嗨泰(Hi Thai)
位於中山路上的「嗨泰」，有著泰國神祇的宏偉外觀，造型相當醒目，可說是高雄市最具泰國風的餐廳了，原以為店裡賣的全是泰國料理，但翻開菜單，除了泰國菜，還有來自雲南、越南的家鄉菜，包羅萬象的菜餚，讓不敢吃辣的客人也能吃得愉悅又盡興。
推開厚重的大門，映入眼簾的是一具帶有神秘東方色彩的佛陀頭像，往內一瞧，壁上掛滿來自泰國的華麗鏡面、民俗器具，搭配原木桌椅和潺潺流水聲，散發出原始的南洋氣息，別出心裁的裝潢布置，令久居都市叢林的人們耳目一新。登上二樓，呈現的是另一種不同風情，這裡充滿了Lounge的氛圍，空間更為寬敞，平日除了供客人包場辦Party外，週末晚上10點以後，還有專屬DJ播放流行音樂，炒熱現場氣氛。
「嗨泰」也緊跟著時代脈動，像是台灣最近掀起「王建民熱」，為了服務廣大棒球迷，業者特別安裝衛星天線，餐廳每一個角落都有電視螢幕，只要有球賽，立即實況轉播，讓熱愛棒球運動的客人，隨時掌握最新賽事。
綠水灣
位於愛河出海口東岸的「綠水灣」，沒有堆砌太多的人工造景，也沒有喧囂吵雜的音樂聲，有的只是可以遮陽的綠蔭，和自然原始的木棧道，就算炎炎夏日在戶外區用餐，受到綠樹的蔽蔭，也不會令人感到心煩氣燥。
「綠水灣」的地理位置極佳，車行從西往東，經過高雄橋後，拐個彎，沿著愛河小徑就可以來到「綠水灣」，街上車水馬龍喧囂聲，巧妙地被阻絕在外頭，面對恬靜的河畔美景，恍如來到另一國度。
入夜後，河畔微風輕吹拂，雖然沒有冷氣空調，還是吸引不少崇尚自然風的客人，尤其是外國朋友，超喜歡在戶外區飲酒用餐，如果忍不住陣陣熱浪的侵襲，還是可以選擇在室內用餐。「綠水灣」餐點是無國界的，選擇性相當多樣，西式簡餐、中式熱炒，這裡統統可以享用得到。
Restaurant Info:
Hi Thai
Address: 240 Jhongshan 2nd Rd., Kaohsiung City
Tel: (07) 330-6638
Hours of Operation:
11am -2pm and 5pm-2am Open till 4am on weekends and holidays
Green Bay Restaurant
Address:
97 Haibian Rd., Kaohsiung City
Tel: (07) 251-9119
Hours of operation:
3pm -3am (weekdays) and 11am - 4am (weekends and holidays)
Under 18s will not be served alcohol.
嗨泰
地 址：高雄市中山二路240號
電 話：07-3306638
營業時間：11：00~14：00、17：00~02：00(假日延長至04：00)
綠水灣
地 址：高雄市苓雅區海邊路97號
電 話：07-2519119
營業時間：15：00~03：00(平日)、11：00~04：00(假日)(未成年請勿飲酒)