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 #181 - 鼎越豐越南料理

鼎越豐越南料理
台北市信義區永吉路30巷148弄5號

02.2746.7788

 

 

Excellent pho hidden in an alley near City Hall MRT station.

 

I've been here twice, and both times, the restaurant is almost empty with no crowd.  It's odd, as the food is amazing.  The owner is quite hospitable, sitting at a table watching the TV hung high on the ceiling on the corner, and occassionally making small chit chats with customers.  Eavesdropping into their conversation, it seems that it is mostly returning customers that come dine here. Maybe it's because most guest are allured by a much larger, fancier vietnamese restaurant 50 steps away from this restaurant.  I personally prefer this restaurant more, as it feels more authentic, and less commercial.

I don't really know what constitutes great pho, but all I can compare to is how similar it is to my favourite, pho's from Vancouver.  The broth here is excellent, and similar.  My friend like it too.

 

Price is also acceptable, as pho dishes are typically quite cost friendly.  Probably not the best place to dine for business, or with fancy friends, but definitely a place to go if you are looking to satisfy your vietamese taste buds.

 

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 Journy #178 - Little Fiesta 小墨西哥

Little Fiesta 小墨西哥
台中市五權西四街106號
04.2378.5587

 

Came here for a friend gathering dinner, as I was on a 1-day business trip to the Taichung area.
My collague had given me a coupon for this place as his family visited here not too long ago.  He strongly recommended it for its value - generous portion at generous price.

Mexican food, can't go wrong right?

 

Located on the restaurant street next to the Art Museum, this restaurant has to be decent to survive as it's been there for ages. The exterior looks a bit rundown, but is built and painted in a very latino style.  As soon as you walk in, you are hit by gold and yellow ribbons shouting nothing but fiesta.  It feels like you've walked into a pinata event in action.

 

Knowing that the portions are huge, and that us timid ladies have limited appetite, we ordered their appetizer platter. It was huge and filling, definitely. Well, considering that everything on that dish is deep fried, immersed in grease and splattered with salt and seasoning, we were full quickly.  Every item required mouthfuls of carbonated drinks to flush it down.  It wasn't bad, just not delicate food.  Quality is more similar to a fast food joint. 

My colleague was right.  a restaurant that offers value for its portion.

 

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.