Tasting Journey #170 - Fanier Burger

Fanier Burger
台北市內湖區瑞光路478巷18弄30號
02.2659.7752
http://www.fanier.com.tw/content.php?id=3260


Fast food quality in a family diner setting.

This place serves breakfast, burger and pasta.
Food quality so-so, but friendly service.
Refillable Americano coffee.
Busy restaurant.
Suitable for relaxing, non-formal gathering with friends.

 

Tasting Journey #169 - Sparkle Patio No. 3

Sparkle Patio No. 3
台北市信義區信義路五段16號B1
02.2758.8850
http://www.sparklehotel.com.tw/zh-tw/gourmet/patio-no-3-italian-bistro.htm



Located across from the landmark of Taipei, 101, Sparkle is a hotel (surprisingly) located on the basement of an apartment building.  According to their website, this hotel has a few restaurants, though the perimeters of these restaurants are not clearly separated.  We decided to try out Patio No. 3, an Italian style café.

Though in a nicely decorated hotel setting, we sat in a small long corridor.  I guess it is expected, as this is a restaurant converted from an old apartment in the most expensive district of downtown Taipei.

Their lunch menu ranges from $400-$500, and includes an entrée, soup, and bread.  We all decided to go for the lunch menu, seeing that a la carte entrees cost closer to the thousand NTD range.  It was disappointing.  The portion is small, and not worth the price.

Service wasn't great either.  There were a few servers around, but it seems that we were never able to get their attention when needed. 

Overall, the experience was disappointing.  I think there needs to be lots of improvements, both service, quality, and quantity. I don't think I will go back again.

 

Tasting Journey #168 - 樂子 The Diner

樂子 The Diner
台北市瑞安街145號
various locations
http://www.thediner.com.tw/

Authentic ambience, N. american-style restaurant that serves all-day breakfast.

The restaurant is busy, and packed with occupied tables.  On a day where many of the people are working, the restaurant is still packed with people - a sign that shows we've come to the right place.

The service is so-so, but the food is quite authentic.  Portions are big, and selections are large.
Serving dishes from pancakes to benedicts, to burgers, and to ice-cream brownies.  Coffee also has free refills.

 

We went there for a relaxing brunch, but we ate like kings and queens.  Nachos are amazing, as I find that the nacho dishes in Taipei are typically quite sad-looking - in the sense that there's few pieces, and minimal toppings - something that you would not see in a family diners such as Danny's or White Spots in Vancouver.

Burgers are well-made. The patties remained juicy even when the beef is well-done.
The topping portions on the nachos are so generous that you can ask for more (we did).
Pancakes are 2-layered, fluffy and soft.  It's good already, but would've tasted even better if it had pecan or walnut in it, though my colleagues say that they prefer the consistent fluffines of the pancake alone.

 

Did I mention that these breakfast sets also include a 2nd drink (juice/milk...)  in addition to the waking potion of coffee/tea?

This place is suitable not only for brunch, but for lunch and dinner as well.
I would definitely revisit this place to try out more of their other dishes.

Tasting Journey #167 - 院子 Yard restaurant and bar

院子 Yard restaurant and bar
台北市基隆路一段163-1號1樓
02.2528.7733
no website available

Recently opened, and my friend is the manager there.
The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Taipei, but an interesting location of an apartment building.  Following the address registered, I walked into the apartment, and all I see, is the security counter and the elevator.  I saw a huge door (behind the security counter) that has the restaurant's name - Yard, printed on it, but the door doesn't seem accessible.  Peeking through it, it looks like it's an emergency exit from the Kitchen.  Checking with the security guard, he says to walk to the backside of the apartment where the entrance of the restaurant is located.

 

In fact, the back side of the apartment is much more convenient, as it is just around the corner from the metro station.  If I were to follow the address, I would need to make a huge loop.

 

The restaurant is dainty.  A tiny yard is located on the front, and the wall has greenery that climbs to the ceiling.  From the inside, it is modern like a loft.  The counter is also designed with wooden crates.

 

Greeted by my friend, we sat down.  The menu doesn't have too many selections, but does indeed have all the basics ranging from salad, to sandwiches to pasta.  We asked for recommendations, and picked a few dishes to try.

 

We ordered a salad, an appetizer, and a pasta dish.  The salad is by far my most favourite.  It is presented in a jar form and a wooden bowl.  All the ingredients including the dressing lies nicely in the jar so that all you need is to pour it out and toss.

 

The appetizer's not bad, but I think the pasta needs some adjustments.  There too much sauce, but the flavour isn't rich enough. 

I think overall, it is a good starter, and I do hope that it gets better soon.
Would I go back? I'm not sure... probably yes if my friend continues to work there, and that it'd be a good chillout place.  Otherthanthat, the ambience and the food aren't so attractive nor unique enough to make me want to head back for me.

Tasting Journey #166 - 上引水產 Aquatics

上引水產 Aquatics
台北市民族東路410巷2弄18號
02.2508.1268
http://www.addiction.com.tw/#instantly_ct

 

High-end sushi at affordable price.

This place is located in a fish market.  The store is actually a fish wholesaler, but has remodelled the business so that it also offerse takeout and dine-in sushi and hotpot.  This time, we tried the sushi.  Even if dining in, it's called the "stand up" area, because there is no seats.  Like at the post office, you stand next to a tall table and eat.

Crowded with tourists, especially  HK'ers, this place has next to none interior decorations.  Located in a warehouse style space, the place is packed with as much products and varieties as you can imagine.

 

Food quality is unquestionable.  It's fresh and well-prepared.  Nuf said.

 

 

We bought the pre-packaged sushi, and ate outside.  Despite the cold weather, the enjoyment received from the food, very much warmed out heart.

Tasting Journey #165 - Mia Patisserie

Mia Patisserie
台北市大安區敦化南路一段235-2號
02.2741.2000
http://www.mia-patisserie.com.tw/

I came across this place while searching for recommendations for good high-end afternoon high tea.
This pastry shop also sells their pastry at several different deli stations in the malls.  This is their café version.

 

The café is located on the 2nd floor, and it is well-lit, tables are comfortably spread apart, and rich in high-tea ambience. 

There were 3 of us, and we took the server's recommendation to order high-tea set for 2 + and additional drink for the third person.  We were told that the bites were filling enough to accommodate for 3 girls.  He was wrong, or possibly we had appetites like dudes.  The set even started off with bread and soup... and that wasn't enough. We ended up ordering a single quiche dish that were small, but decent to fill the stomach.  

 

The high tea selection weren't that great either - Tiny, and so-so tasting.  We did end up having to pack a few pieces away, but that wasn't because we were full.  Rather, we were tired of eating dough-based delicacies.  We were craving for something savoury.

 

Price-wise, it came to around $1,000 per person.  I wasn't too excited at the quality given the price point, and hence the chance of me revisiting is probably slim.