Tasting Journey #132 - 新記車仔麵

新記車仔麵
香港銅鑼灣登龍街49號地下B舖
852.2573.5438
http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=12797

Interesting local HK-style eatery.



Every dish is customized to your favour and taste.  How is this possible?
Everyone grabs an order sheet, and starts circling the topping you would like on your base noodle.  The price is calculated based on your selections.

 

Frankly speaking, to me, it tasted like a luxury version of instant noodle because it is 車仔麵.
Other than that, I didn't find it special.  My coworker says their white radish and chicken wings are must-tries....
 

Service? C'mon, this is local HK eatery. Don't expect any. lol...

Tasting Journey #131 - 肯達咖啡 Kantata Cafe

Kantata Café
台北市內湖區環山路一段28巷17號
02.8797.8298
http://kantatacoffee.blogspot.tw/


Coffee shop recommended by my colleague beause they carried the coffee bean that I was looking for - Antigua, Guatemala (安提瓜花神).  This bean is mildly roasted and very smooth to the taste.

Coming to this coffee shop has been quite a hectic journey, as it is located between two MRT stops, and 2 huge blocks in.  In other words, lots of walking under the hot hot summer weather.  My first trip there was a fail because I went on a Sunday, and they are closed on Sundays.  My second trip there wasn't smooth either; I forgot my wallet.  Nonetheless, I found a way to get cash, and was able to try out their meal & coffee despite all the dreading mishaps.

 

The cafe is busy on a weekday noon, filled with employees in that area.  The cafe is well lit with wooden table, that served a suitable environment for quick grab, or an informal casual business lunch. 

Coffee is brewed using french press, and the sandwich tasted very homemade.  The sandwich, given that it's home-style aka I-can-make-it-myself-too, is a bit pricey at $240.  Coffee however, is great.

 

I recommend coming here just for the coffee and not for the sandwiches.

Tasting Journey #130 - 御景日本料理

御景日本料理
台北市林森南路2號-4
02.3393.7717

Dinner plan with my highschool friend, and had a craving for sushi.  This place was near her office, and was recommended by her.  Family-run, with strong sense of izakaya.  The restaurant is located behind Sheraton Taipei, and therefore I felt there was a bit of an elevated price range given that there are a lot of tourists residing in that area.

 

Food was decent, but the price is considered expensive for the quality. We ended up paying $1300 for 2 people.

 

 

 

Tasting Journey #129 - C'est La Vie 品嘗生活咖啡館

C'est La Vie 品嘗生活咖啡館
台北市復興北路190巷27號
02.2509.1618

Dined here for dinner because of a groupon deal. The address is slightly misleading in the sense that the entrance actually faces a different street.  Nonetheless, I was able to find it.

 

 

The restaurant ambience felt like a local family dining place - mostly square tables for 4's, posters and photos on the wall, well-lit setting...etc.   Maybe because it is family-owned, we were requested to confirm our main entrée at the time of reservation.  I guess this allowed them to prepare the ingredients needed.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food.  Well made, and heart was used to create these dishes.  I wouldn't mind going there again for the food, but the atmosphere isn't something that would add any value to the dining experience.
 

 

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.