Locally sourced organic ingredients take center stage as Pasadina’s four restaurants launch Earth-loving set menus

▲ French bistro Pasadina International Dining’s Earth-loving dish – Seared pork belly with organic mashed radish. (Photo / Provided by Pasadina International Dining)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Pasadina International Dining has partnered with its four restaurants — offering French, Italian, and American cuisines — to present the “Natural Living Festival” menu from April 13 to April 30. The special dishes feature locally sourced and organic ingredients, reducing food carbon footprints caused by imports by shortening the distance from farm to table.

Since 2007, Pasadina has regularly held the “Natural Living Festival” every April, carefully selecting high-quality ingredients from across Taiwan. This year, recommended by the Kaohsiung City Agriculture Bureau, the festival features organic vegetables from Xincheng Organic Farm in Sizihwan District, Kaohsiung, including pumpkins, bitter melon, loofah, romaine lettuce, and komatsuna, among over ten varieties.

The four Pasadina restaurants — the French restaurant, French bistro, Italian House, and Pier-2 Warehouse Restaurant — are all taking part in this year’s “Natural Living Festival.” The French restaurant’s head chef, Hsu Chih-hsing, has specially created an all-vegetarian set menu, which will also be added to the regular menu for customers to enjoy.

The French bistro’s set menu features a main course of slow-cooked seared pork belly, paired with a sauce made from organic carrots, cloves, and freshly squeezed orange juice. This reduces the carrot’s earthy taste while preserving its natural sweetness and fruity aroma. The Italian House’s chef has specially used Japan’s trendy organic komatsuna, stir-fried with Italian pasta in red wine vinegar. The Pier-2 Warehouse Restaurant uses organic purple cabbage, apples, and lemon juice for a stir-fry, paired with organic bitter melon and Parma ham, then baked into a uniquely tangy and sweet specialty pizza.

Pasadina Natural Living Festival: April 13–April 30
Restaurant Events:
French Restaurant “Natural Living Festival Set Menu” / NT$1,000
Italian House “Natural Living Festival Set Menu” / NT$580
French Bistro “Natural Living Festival Set Menu” / NT$599
Pier-2 Warehouse Restaurant “Capricciosa Pizza” and “Organic Loofah with Sakura Shrimp and Bacon Tart” / NT$260–380