Tasting Journey #183 - 美好時代

美好時代
台北市大安區大安路一段52巷23號
02.2775.3393

 

Trendy cafe with unique dishes and comfortable ambience suitable for an afternoon hanghout with girl-friends.

 

There are many trendy cafe places in the East District.  What makes this place unique is that the dishes it offers are creative and different than most other cafe's.  Typical desserts that compliments coffee/tea are dishes like cheesecakes, brownies, ice-cream sundaes....this place instead, serves pancakes. Sweet pancakes with creativity - orea flavoured OR bubble tea. The portions are enormous.
This to me, is effort spent in distinguishing one's café from the numerous cafe's in this area.  And for this reason, I would revisit.

 

What might also appeal or attract additional guests is the fact that this café is where they filmed Jay Chou's most recent single - 我算甚麼男人.  Many fans may visit just to experience being in the same place as the music video.  This to me, doesn't really add much points as it makes the place crowded, but I do have to say that the interior deco is like its name, in a warm and welcoming 70's theme. Small but dainty.

 

Tasting Journey #182 - 486 Cafe

486 Café
台北市復興北路313巷6號
02.2715.2486
http://486cafe.com/contact.php

A restaurant catered towards young families with kids.

It's even got a nursing room which makes it very toddler friendly.

Clean, spacious, and well-lit.
Decent quality food for this type of themed café.
Friendly service.
Acceptable price.

 

Tasting Journey #180 - Amber Cafe

Amber Café
台北市大安區安和路一段137號
02.2709.8518

Open kitchen style café that serves great food and is located at a super convenient location. 

 

Located right next to the 信義安和 MRT station, this café is tailored to an above average income audience group. An Americano cost TWD$100 pays for not just a black coffee, but also the trendy interior décor and a pleasant environment for your chat with your above average income friends.  The cutleries used are also quite cute.  I especially like their glass milk container.

 

Tasting Journey #179 - Homie Cafe

Homie Cafe
台北市仁愛路四段345巷2弄11號
02.2778.3988
http://www.homiecafe.com/

A cafe that offers above average food, and is a suitable atmosphere for weekend hangout with friends.

Located in the East District of Taipei, this place is busy, and needs reservation. Though claiming as an American cafe, it serves not just burgers but also fried finger foods, pastas, and breafast.

 

Decent price with acceptable quality. Definitely an option for future hangouts.

Tasting Journey #177 - 六丁目

六丁目
台北市新中街六巷7號
02.2761.5510

This café seems to be one of my friend's all-time-favourite. It is located right across from where he works.  He knows them so well that they sometimes are able to deliver to his work place.  He even buys them gifts every now and then.  I wouldn't even be surprised if he even pays on a monthly basis.
He's mentioned of the place many times, and has gotten cakes for take-outs for me. However, we've never stepped foot in the café together, and it's always been a wonder for me why this cafe's so attractive.

One afternoon he decided to go for a bike ride with his cycling friends, and it was the perfect opportunity to wait in the café for him.  Yes, I waited for 5 hours, read an entire book, ate a cake, and ordered two drinks.  What did I think of it?

The café is packed with people.  It must be an appealing place else why would there be such a busy crowd when it is located in a quiet area, hidden in an alley, away from main streets.  The interior décor didn't strike me as anything unique.  Square room with square tables, but off to the side against the wall, is a row of Japanese tea style dining where the wooden floor is slightly raised above ground, and the table is just tall enough to stick your legs through while seated.

The dessert I had on that day wasn't mind blowing, though I've had any tasty cakes from that place previously.  Service is average; Coffee quality is standard, and so was their sen-cha...all at a standard Taipei café price.

Frankly speaking, I really don't understand where the attraction is. Maybe my friend got accustomed to it, and grew fond of it.  I don't mind visiting again as it does offer slightly above average food quality, but there's nothing that screams out telling me to have to visit again.

Tasting Journey #173 - Butter Cafe

Butter Cafe

台北市大安區忠孝東路四段122-1號2樓

(愛群大廈C棟入口)

02.8772.3832

 

Came here for Sunday brunch with my girl friends.  We met up at 11am and the restaurant was empty.
Maybe because it is located on 2nd floor or maybe the food just wasn't attractive enough for the crowd.

Frankly speaking, I am only logging this journal three weeks since my visit and I don't remember what was attractive about the dish.
The restaurant is spacious, so serves as a great place for girl's chit chat tea time.  However, if you are looking for a tasting journey, maybe 十里安 next door is a better choice.
Price-wise is average for its location in the East district.

Tasting Journey #172 - 樂子咖啡

樂子咖啡
Various
臺北市基隆路一段147巷5弄1樓
02.2764.1680
www.thediner.com.tw

This restaurant had a deal on Groupon, so we came to give it a try.  The restaurant is located in the heart of Taipei, in the busiest area of East District near City Hall.

 

Upon arriving the cafe, we immediately saw a patio that has an external heater. Love. Walking in, I noticed that the decoration is made of lots of displays ranging from photos to lego figurines to books.  All fell within one theme - inspirational quotes.  What really stood out for me is "Eat to Live". I'm ure many will resonate with that, lol.

I have to say cafe's like this mostly caters to audiences that only require a comfy place for chit chat, and not so much focus on the food. So I guess there's no surprise nor disappointment there.  The interesting section of the menu is the pancakes. Every dish, whether savoury or sweet, was made on a wrap/pancake-ish type of base.  Some worked well, others, meh…

 

Overall experience isn't bad. I probably wouldn't return for the food, but if I need a last minute place to rest my feet, this would be an option to consider.