Tasting Journey #128 - 牛老大涮牛肉

牛老大涮牛肉
台北市承德路三段74-76號
02.2592.8282

Although I am not a fan of beef, this place does offer quality beef that I actually enjoyed.
High quality meat that only requires a few quick strokes in the boiling water, and allows for the enjoyment of its taste and texture in its most natural form.

My cousin is a VIP there, and so we had the priviledge of dining in a separate room.  The owner also treated us a few dishes that weren't on the menu - super amazing dishes. What I like about this place is that it's not an all-you-can-eat, so you don't end up over eating and lose the appreciation for food.

I would recommend this place to anyone if you're looking for a high-end hot pot.

 

 

 

Tasting Journey #127 - Joco Latte

Joco Latte
台北市民生東路三段88巷4號
02.2501.8809

I am a fan of cafe's for coffee, but I didn't come here for coffee. It was 8pm, and we were very full from dinner.  An iced chocolate drink is the perfect choice.  I thought it'd be thick and rich, like the chocolate drinks you get at the Chocolate Festival in Vancouver, but it's not...which is good in the sense that it is refreshing and sweet - a perfect closure to a full meal.

I would definitely go back again for the cold chocolate drink. Maybe I'll even try their dessert next time. :)

Tasting Journey #126 - 橋頭麻辣火鍋

橋頭麻辣火鍋
台北市敦化南路一段157號2樓
02.2777.5608



A la carte spicy hot pot.  The interior looks like it's been around for quite a while, and the popularity never diminished.  The resturant is located on 2F, and 4F.  Lots of ingredients, and so-so service. The entire ambience is of local local eatery, but the price is considered quite expensive for such quality.
I didn't really enjoy it, as the ingredient wasn't amazing, and it costed us a total of $2,000NTD for just 2 people.

Don't think I'd go back again.

 

 

 

Tasting Journey #125 - Smoker 煙燻咖啡

煙燻咖啡
台中市模範街一巷13號
02.2302.0813

Interesting cafe hidden away in a quiet alley a few blocks away from the heart of Taichung.  The waffles are highly recommended by my colleague.  Coffee is OK.  Drinks are decent.  Brunch dishes made with heart. 

The interior is modern and well-lit.

 

Publically affectionate gays... I'm surprised how open Taichung has become. heheee... ;)

 



Tasting Journey #124 - 台南一日美食遊

義豐阿川冬瓜茶 - known for its winter melon drink. I actually had two different ones... one is lemon with winter melon, and the other is winter melon with pickled plums. Both just as good. Both just as refreshing. Crazy line up.



東巧鴨肉羹專賣店 - 永福路二段194號
Sliced duck meat in a thick soup. Flavourful broth.

 金得春捲 - Another really popular eatery. I find that Tainanese delicassies tend to be on the sweeter side.

 

 阿松割包 - the pork used is different in the sense that it is steamed without marinating in soy sauce.

 

 葉家小捲料理 - Very "seafood" tasting broth.

富盛號碗糕 - Very popular and super long line up. Frankly speaking, not my favourite type of rice cake as it tastes too sweet, and lacked texture in the ingredients.

裕成水果行 - Known for its mango shaved ice. Frankly speaking, I'm not a big fan of traditional shaved ice as it doesn't melt in your mouth like the snow flakes.  Lots of fresh mango though.

 學甲鵝肉 - I heard it's menu-less. The way to order is by looking at the ingredients they have displayed on their table (based on what they were able to buy), and they'll cook it however they want to. Their rice is super tasty as it is mixed with goose oil.

 

 

 炸蚵嗲 - located in a small alley lane in the midst of no where.....