Augustdiners Explore: Ultimate Guide to Taipei (Part 1)

SAY WHAT? 19 RESTAURANTS IN 3 DAYS??? SHOPPING FRENZY?? BORING OLD TEMPLES AND DULL BUILDINGS??

That’s exactly what we’ve achieved in our recent Taipei trip- and speaking of 19 restaurants, street eats were not inclusive yet! It was a fulfilling trip, and it helps that the eateries in Taipei is relatively cheap too! Now I can come home and cry to mommy because of those few extra pounds around my waist and blame no one.
I’ve been meaning to share the ultimate Taipei guide with our readers-but by the rate I’m going, always distracted with other things during mid-sentence, I seriously has doubt that this can be completed within a short span of time. But I’m in a good mood today, and I am also a very determine woman today, finally setting out a 2-hrs uninterrupted solitude in order to concentrate writing this post.

So here’s our two cents on all things Taipei (which will be split into different entries) I hope you enjoy reading them! And if you know better places to go, please let us know! There are several items in our itenary which we didn’t manage to achieve due to the lack of time, but we’ll share it with you anyways, because sharing is caring.

TRANSPORTATION- PRETTY CONVENIENT

Because there is no MTR line from the international airport that leads to the city center, your options will be 1) Taxi – which should cost you around NT$1000- 1200 (equivalent to approx RM100-120). Exchange rate is currently approx RM1- NT$10. Alternatively, there are several 2) airport bus companies which will stop by at most major hotels or MRT station in the city. Walk to the nearest bus ticketing counter and tell them your destination to be advised the best bus services to take. Most would cost around NT$120- NT150. The international airport would be an estimate 45 minutes ride to the city center.

First thing when you settle yourself in TAIPEI is get a MRT route map. This will be your bible for the next few days. To start off with, you will need a MRT card which similar to HONGKONG’s, can be used in taxis, and convenient stores as well. We started off with NT$500, which sets you up with NT$400 credit for your usage (NT$100 being deposit and refundable when card is returned). MTR here is cheaper than hongkong, single journey to most location would only cost around NT$12- NT$20 depends on the distance. But if you travel with 3-4 friends, you can also consider taxi travelling as their starting fee is only NT$70, with NT$20 premium for night time (if not mistaken).
There are several MRT routes that lead you to all parts of TAIPEI, but if you’re up for just exploring within the Taipei center and immediate surroundings, you’ll find yourself using more of blue and red line.

For this purpose, we will segregate our guide by MRT Route, just because we are nice and all that.

PART 1- 板南线 (BANNAN LINE)- leads to popular station 忠孝新生，忠孝复兴，忠孝敦化， 国父纪念馆，市政府

頂好哨子麵

This form of LA MEIN is originated from YUNNAN, China. Noodles being made with ingredients such as onions and radish , and improvised with thick broth using tomato, minced meat, eggs and mushrooms, it has been a popular eatery in Taiwan, and you'll see many locals dining here during lunch time.

What's nice about this noodle is it has a nice springy texture/ or as taiwanese known as being very "Q" texture. The thick broth is filled with earthy flavours.

WHERE? 

台北市大安路1 段73 号

MRT 忠孝复兴UNDERGROUND STREET EXIT 14

REVISIT?? MAYBE

度小月担仔面

Do not miss out this famous taiwan eatery. No matter how full you are at the end of the day, you wont regret that you've save some tummy space for "DU XIAO YUE", for they are famous for their 担仔面

(Disclaimer: Do not bother ordering other dishes if you're on the roam for more food exploring- because we thought it tasted rather normal)

P/S: we preferred the dry versions to the soup ones!

WHERE?

台北市忠孝东路4段216巷8弄12号

(Pretty close to Ding Tai Fung)

MRT Exit at Zhong Xiao Dun hua station, by foot 5 minutes walk

REVISIT? YES, just for their Dan Zai Noodles!

HELLO KITTY SWEETS

Taiwanese are crazy about their Hello Kitty. I mean, which other airport would actually have a sitting area dedicated to this character but taipei? If you are as crazy as us on HELLO KITTY, do visit this hello kitty concept cafe which is dressed with lovely pink inteior. It's as if you've stepped into a dreamland. OH, and how cute does those desserts look, all delicately designed with more than 30 varieties to choose from.

Where?

台北市大安区大安路1段90号

REVISIT? YES because we love hello kitty!

 CAFE KITCHEN 创意咖啡洋食馆

If you're tired, and needed rest for the in between shoppings, Cafe Kitchen would be ideal. As the drawl of this place is their classy posh inteior, award winning barristas, and the extensive list of innovative coffee drinks.

Beautiful settings

Coffee with Rum

Green Tea Coffee

HAVANA SECRET *thumbs up*

WHERE? 台北市忠孝东路3段300号7楼

INSIDE SOGO (Fuxing Branch)

If not mistaken, near the menswear section

REVISIT? MAYBE

葱花来了

Being one of the restaurant under the 欣葉小廚 group, whom has diverse from themed taiwanese restaurant to japanese restaurant, each has its own specialty/ unique concept, this particular restaurant aims to introduce taiwanese cuisine to the younger generation. With their neo light display, and casual seating booth- it creates a sorta fun atmosphere. Their name of dishes also implies some playfulness with names such as "wolfmen's omelette eggs" 狼人菜脯蛋 or "teacher im sorry" 老师对不起 or "you're my baby" 心肝宝贝

Be prepared to wait to be seated as the place tends to fill up easily, especially on a weekend, but luckily service was pretty efficient.

Where? 台北市忠孝东路四段201号2F

MRT exit ZHONG XIAO DUNHUA exit no. 2

http://www.shinyehtable.com/ for their other taiwanese cuisine restaurants

REVISIT? Maybe

Other Possible Visit Around this area:

1. 豚屋PORKCHOP (Their pork chop looks yums!)

2 MR。 J 意法餐厅 (Jay Chou's italian restaurant) Just because it's by Jay Chou hah

3。忠将葱抓饼

4. 东区茶街 忠孝东路4段 181 巷7弄is Taipei's famous Tea Street. Experience Taiwan's Bubble Milk Tea, light bites and supper here. Apparently young crowd loves gathering here till wee hours. 

饶河夜市 (RAOHE NIGHT MARKET) VS. SHILIN NIGHT MARKET VS. 市大SHIDA NIGHT MARKET? Want to know which one we prefer most? Stay tuned to our next entry (which hopefully won't drag on to weeks to write! *fingers crossed*

P/S if you are having trouble with the chinese street names, please let us know, we're happy to translate! :):)

Our Father's day celebration

Just a quick one before i buried my head back into work.

How did you celebrate your father's day?
It is not often we get to do something special for our dad, so every year, we scratches our heads thinking hard on what to do for the only special guy in my life (ok, that sounds so wrong)

As daddy always go out for entertainment most days of the week, we thought it'll be good to have him relax at the confinement of his own home, but we arent really keen on doing much cooking, so my sister came up with the fussy-free idea of HOTPOT.

Here are some photos to share:- (again apologies for the bad quality photos, you'll have to get used to it until i figure out the settings hahaha)

Yum yum, we had a choice of szechuan soup base, and clear soup base. No prize for guessing right which one i opted for

Then there was the customary dipping sauces

The absolute necessities: beef slices, and lamb slices

Vast amount of food that can feed the whole kampung, according to my mom

Oh well, better over prepared then under prepared right? =)

Our Alcohol bites: Yung Kee HK's Century egg is the bestest!!

Desserts is no other than chocolates from PATCHI, *licks*

Last but not least- drinks!! We're a bit more adventurous on this special day 

Did couple of shots of china's Bai Jiu, and Sake

Then proceed to my favourite PATRON's Coffee Tequila

Ended with some Glenmorangie Single Malt Whiskey

Last but not least, my gift to daddy dear.

 

LOVE YOU MUCHIE DAD!!

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Bistro A Table, PJ Section 17

A meal in Bistro-A-Table is easily enjoyed. I’ve heard nothing but praises for this 11-days old French bistro tucked away in a quiet row of shops of PJ Section 17, directly behind Decanter.
I confess I’m a little bit of a Francophile – I like all things French-I love French for their fashion, for their food, and for their wine. Oh yes, I love French guys in particular.

Headed by the young and attractive Private Chef Isadora, (what a nice name, I’m naming my kid Isadora- regardless of its gender) , Bistro A Table interior was minimalist, with uses of light curtains which enhances diners privacy, suspended light bulb hanging loosely above the head allow a dimly lighted space and soaring French music uplifted the mood of the place.

Their menu choices are somewhat limited, but there are some very tempting items like caesar salad soup, and deconstructive tiramisu that had me waiting in anticipation. I was told that these menus are not a fixture and will be reviewed from time to time in a short span of a week or two. Chef Isodora mentioned that she has all these crazy dishes going through her mind and she can’t wait to present it to her diners. Ah, I can’t wait.

Aside from the regular bistro menu, you can also look out for their degustation menu that will be available every first Monday of the Month. With an extravagant 12 courses to devour and dwell on, it is no wonder that their July Degustation reservations have been fully booked. The fact that the degustation cost RM500 per pax did not to deter people from making reservation well ahead of time.

My much anticipated Caesar Salad Soup (RM18)-is beautiful in presentation- a soft-boiled egg hidden shyly within the confine of a crisp toast, on top of a bed of green (soup). I looked left and right then, hoping my counterparts know how to drink this in a proper manner, do we break the eggs and toast to be toss & devour with the lightly puree salad soup? After slight deliberation, we gave up all pretenses and jumbled everything together. Turns out to be a good marriage in flavors and definitely try worthy

Then there was the Duck Parfait (RM19) that didn’t leave a lasting impression to me. But that’s just personal preference as my friend happily woofed down chunks of the creamy content with the thinly baked toast.

I like the simplicity of the coddled egg with maple syrup (RM16) that’s served with crouton dust and asparagus spear. With a little crouton dust, Spoon out the glorious runny eggyolks that was sweeten by the syrup. Mmm.. Mmm.. It reminded me of a dish I had once in Melbourne’s Bistro Vue.

Down to the main course, we went with three finalist: Traditional duck cassoulet (RM48) instead of the beans on the side, ours was served with lentils. Slipper lobster and sea urchin linguine (RM132) which cost as slippery as the lobster and Seafood Bouillabaisse (RM58) which I believe is not what the actual dish is called, but too bad I have no reference in other food blogs for this dish to copied from. Oops, trust me not to do my homework, let’s just call it seafood stew shall we?

Duck Cassoulet (RM48) was done in a perfect succession. The slow cooked duck flesh has an almost fall off the bone texture, come with a crispy skin, and robust sauce which twinge of sweetness.

My slipper lobster linguine (RM132) is one of its kinds. While I questioned whether the price is justifiable, it was to no doubt that I was smidgen with this dish. On first bite, I thought it was a regular tomato based linguine which was slightly sourish. But as I find my way through this dish, I became addicted to the subtle flavours of sea urchin which blends really well with the fresh tomato paste, and there was no skimming with the lobster pieces as I enjoyed the succulent large bite-size pieces

The Seafood Stew was O-K. A seafood lover’s delight using variety of fresh seafood pieces on a light garlicky soup base.

Desserts. Desserts. Desserts. Now I’m really geared up to write! As I’m always overly excited for dessert more than anything else (except for French men that is) They always tend to bring me to a stage of childlike bliss, and thankfully, Bistro A Table desserts are ones that are noteworthy.

One glance through, and the first that caught my eye was the terribly alcoholic tiramisu. (RM29) which indeed live up to its name, and I shall declare it the most “GAO aka strong” tiramisu in town. While we thought the Kaffir lime and lemon tart was decent (RM15), we would recommend you the chocolate fondant (RM18) which was sinfully good. Just think of those oozing dark chocolate made me want to go back for more.

Terribly Alcoholic Tiramisu

Kaffir Lime and Lemon Tart

Chocolate Fondant

To pair with an enjoyable night is a Chilean medium bodied wine Terramater Merlot (RM140).

Our meal comes out to approx RM185 per person. Sorry for the ill quality food pictures, I tried in vain to get the settings right under the dim lighting, but u know me and my noobness with all things electronics…sigh! it was then during my main course that I remember another camera that was stashed in my car, thank god for user-friendly lumix!

Ratings:

Food: 7.5/10

Ambience: 7/10

Service: 5.5/10

Presentation of food: 6.5/10

Overall: 6.5/10

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bistro a Table

6, Jalan 17/54

PJ

Tel: 03-7931 2831
(reservation recommended, open only during dinners and closed on monday)