The atmosphere is comfortable, and there are plenty of seats. You can choose between individual dishes or group sets. It's located on the 16th floor of the Taichung SOGO department store, right when you come out of the elevator. We ordered a set meal for six people costing 3600, and even added extra dishes to feel full!
Highly recommended:
The staff had a rather unfriendly attitude and introduced the dishes in a very low voice... The tea is charged per person at $40 each, and it seems kids are charged $20.
Recently, as a long-time local from Taichung, I visited the original store for the first time. Initially, I felt that everything inside truly had an aged feeling. People who tend to feel hot might find the air conditioning not cool enough and wouldn't want to sit for long after eating. However, the dishes were delicious.
Visiting again for dinner today, possibly because it was close to closing time, the crowd wasn't as packed as last time, and the air conditioning felt a bit more comfortable. We ate in a rush, as you can't have everything perfect. For a more comfortable dining experience, one should go to Lalaport, as the original store is about history and memories.
📍Location: Banff, Canada
Visiting this teahouse situated at an altitude of 2135m took us nearly 2 hours. We started at 6:45 AM from Lake Louise while it was still dark, each holding a flashlight 🔦 and hiking up the trail. From darkness to daylight, we experienced changes in humidity and light in the forest, chatting and encouraging each other along the way, with an unwavering determination to reach the top.
The trail wasn't particularly difficult; it was a gradual ascent but required stamina and endurance. For us, who seldom hike for such a long time, it took some effort. Along the way, many experienced hikers who seemed to fly past us highlighted our anxiety about pacing. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and during the two-hour journey, we faced rain and sleet, which was less idyllic than imagined. We finally reached the teahouse at 8:40 AM, and the feeling of achievement was beyond words.
Of course, since this is a food review, we must comment on the food. The teahouse features classic log cabin architecture, and there's a small mountain lake beside it called Lake Agnes, providing stunning views. While ordering from the server, it started raining again, and a rainbow 🌈 appeared over the lake. This is an experience no other restaurant can offer, unique to this place.
The four of us ordered:
Tuna Sandwich (CAD12)
A simple whole wheat sandwich stuffed with tuna. Although it was pure tuna without other mix-ins, the seasoning was decent, making it a plain yet delicious choice.
Homemade Hummus Sandwich (CAD12)
Whole wheat bread filled with chickpea hummus and pickles 🥒. The hummus was acceptable, but the pairing with pickles was an acquired taste; it tasted better without them.
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows (CAD5.5)
The marshmallows were already melted into the hot chocolate when served. It was quite sweet, but went well when eaten alongside the sandwiches.
The food here is straightforward and not particularly outstanding, but perhaps because of the effort it took to get here, it tasted exceptionally good. Especially knowing that the fresh ingredients were brought up by the staff every morning on the same path we hiked, it makes one feel grateful regardless of what is served.
We left the teahouse at 9:15, by which time a long line had formed outside. Since there are no other shops in the area, it's recommended to hike up early. Finishing breakfast early leaves you time to explore other trails.
⚠️ Cash only, both USD and CAD are accepted.
⚠️ Apart from the sandwich wrapping paper and drink cups, any trash brought up must be taken down yourself, as even the garbage is painstakingly carried down the mountain by the staff!
📍 Da'an District, Taipei City (Yongkang Street Shopping Area)
Italian ice cream with a focus on low sugar and low fat 🍨🌱
I happened to pass by and was attracted by the exquisite decoration style of this ice cream shop! The interior is very beautiful, using mirror and tile elements, giving a modern and fashionable feel.
Arrived on Saturday afternoon, and there was a short queue to order.
❄️
Order items
🧊 Medium cup with three flavors ($180):
Sicilian pistachio + hazelnut + red guava
I have to say the Gelato texture in this shop is totally not my thing 😭
The ice cream texture presented is too sticky! It tastes like cheap snow ice and ice crystals, which is quite different from the Gelato I've had before, even reminiscent of some Taiwanese ice creams 🥺
I understand it aims for health by not adding much sugar and milk, but ice cream is a dessert for refreshing and enjoying on occasions!
In terms of flavor, they are all very rich. Aside from the texture, the aftertaste of pistachio and hazelnut is quite nice.
🍄
Will I visit again: No!
More suitable for health-oriented people 🤫
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Small notes:
🔸 Cash only 💰
🔸 There are a few seats inside, but most people eat standing by the roadside.
Taipei Wende Station - A restaurant next to Bihu Park, you can slightly see the lakeside view while sitting by the window. The quality of the food is high, but the prices are relatively high. It is quite crowded even on weekday afternoons, so it is recommended to book in advance on weekends.
📍 Pesto Grilled Chicken Thigh Risotto (+99 NT soup set & plain sea salt bagel) NT$385+99
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
The chicken thigh is a whole piece, grilled in a teriyaki style, with a very aromatic crispy skin. The risotto has a moderate texture and moisture, with a chewy consistency, which is a big plus. The pesto sauce flavor is acceptable. The tofu and tomato vegetable soup is rich, with a slight tomato acidity; those who like vegetables will enjoy it! The plain sea salt bagel is fluffier than regular bagels, not as dense! The sea salt has a hint of buttery flavor, which is refreshing!
📍 Maple Japanese Set (Korean Beef Slices) + A Set (Vegetable Soup + Iced Black Tea) NT$395+39
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
This set allows free refills of drinks, rice, and soup. High cost-performance ratio; if you want to eat your fill, this is highly recommended! The rice is Japanese-style, tasting very healthy. There are a total of two vegetable dishes, one pickled pumpkin, one chawanmushi, a bowl of soup, and a main dish, all ample portions. The Korean beef is the common type of marbled beef slices, with golden kimchi and Korean sweet and spicy sauce, very appetite-inducing.
▶️ Environment
🔹 Plenty of indoor seating and an outdoor area
🔹 Bright and clean decor, with cute elephant figurines
🔹 Drinking water is provided, with a jug placed on the table
🔹 Utensils are on the table
▶️ Helpful Tips
🔹 Suggest calling ahead or using online booking
🔹 Credit cards are accepted, but traditional invoices cannot be processed electronically
🔹 A 10% service charge is added
▶️ Overall Evaluation
🔹 The "Maple Japanese Set" is more recommended for its higher cost-performance ratio. Additionally, this place is known for its elephant-shaped waffle desserts. I was quite full from the set meal this time, but I hope to return and try it next time!
I visited a very unique café this time. The environment is very quiet, and there is a moon-themed decoration perfect for taking photos. The must-try items are the watermelon coffee and the mille-feuille egg tart! The watermelon latte is sweet with a hint of coffee aroma, making it very refreshing to drink in the summer. The mille-feuille egg tart is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich creamy flavor, leaving you super satisfied with every bite! This combination is absolutely perfect~
🚩Xindian City Center Chain Bakery Offering a Variety of Products
St. Mary was established in Taipei in 1986 as Taiwan's first bakery chain co-invested by Japan. The St. Mary Qizhang Store is located in the Xindian city center, with the nearest MRT station being Qizhang Station Exit 1, just a 1-minute walk away. Originally across from the MRT station, the Qizhang Store reopened this August at a nearby corner location, with a larger space. The business was already quite good, and now with more bread varieties displayed, there are even more customers.
The store primarily offers take-out with no seating available. Besides various breads, the shelves also display desserts like puddings, egg tarts, cream puffs, and pineapple cakes.
Payment is made by queueing at the counter, with both cash and multiple payment methods available. Invoices can be linked to digital devices, and there is a loyalty point system for Ocard members.
Today, I came to buy a cake for a family member's birthday. The cakes are available in standard rectangular and round types, with 4-inch and 6-inch sizes for round cakes, offering different flavors. They only sell what is available in the fridge, with no restocking once sold out.
I bought three kinds of 4-inch cakes:
As a bakery in the city center, it offers such a wide variety of breads and desserts, all with decent quality. Occasionally, there are promotional events, so it's no wonder the business is consistently good.
🍴 Store Name: Waterfall No. 3
📍 Address: No. 3 Waterfall Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City
▫️ Business Hours: Monday 11:00-18:00, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00
▫️ Service Charge: 10% service charge
▫️ Minimum Spend and Dining Time: One drink or meal | Dining time limited to 90 minutes
▫️ Advance Reservation Required: No
▪️ Store Environment and Atmosphere:
The store mostly features floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the scenery (waterfall) outside.
Due to the bad weather that day, the outdoor area was not open.
The store reserved a table for customers to take photos 📷, which I thought was quite considerate 👍🏻
However, I felt that the service didn't quite justify the service charge.
I suggest implementing something like a dish-return area instead.
▪️ Store Ordering and Payment Method:
📝 The store assigns seating. Once seated, you cannot change tables.
They provide a menu, and you mark your selections before handing it to the staff.
💰 Cash payment only.
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🔖 Meal Record:
▪️ Brown Sugar Apple Cinnamon Roll $160
▪️ Iced Americano $180
▪️ Iced Cappuccino $190
💡 Food: 4 | Service: 3 | Atmosphere: 5 | Environment: 5
The "Good Kid Danzi Noodles" in Xitun District, Taichung, is a Taiwanese snack shop that attracts many locals and tourists with its affordable prices and diverse dishes. Speaking of favorites, their braised pork rice is truly impressive, full of aroma, with a rich braising sauce perfectly matched with the texture of the rice; in addition, the crispy fried crystal fish is tender inside, so fragrant! The fried large intestines are also noteworthy, with no fishy smell, crispy skin, and chewy intestines, making them quite tasty, encouraging bite after bite. Stir-fried snail meat is also a must-order, cooked just right without being overdone, fresh and springy. Generally, Dragon Pearl dishes are considered a bit more expensive hot stir-fried dishes, but the portion size here is sufficient, not making you feel lacking.
In terms of price, overall it is not considered expensive, and it matches the portion size and taste. However, there is indeed quite a crowd here, often requiring lining up, but surprisingly, the service attitude is unexpectedly friendly. The lady helping with the checkout on the day was very polite and kept apologizing to customers, which is rare in popular snack shops, particularly in Taiwan where some businesses become indifferent once they become successful. This kind of service feels quite heartwarming.
Overall, the "Good Kid Danzi Noodles" is worth trying both for its dishes and prices. Whether it's braised pork rice or fried items, their performance is very consistent. It's recommended for friends who love Taiwanese snacks, but be prepared to queue up before going.
▶ Handmade Brownie - Marshmallow $100◀
The brownie is super rich with a very solid texture, and the chocolate flavor is not overly sweet. The marshmallow on top complements it perfectly! The stretchy marshmallow and brownie have different textures! It makes you feel very happy~
▶ Classic Original Basque $120◀
Their Basque cheesecake is different from others, with a richer and heavier texture. Amazingly, it is not greasy at all, and the dense texture melts in your mouth with a hint of cheese aroma~
▶ Handmade Scone - Classic Original $90◀
The scones come in two basic flavors: original and cranberry, with weekly limited flavors. I tried the chocolate one! The original flavor with butter and strawberry jam is excellent. They use salted butter, so there's a sweet and salty interplay, and you can taste a lot of strawberry chunks in the jam~ It's fantastic!
▶ Handmade Scone - Cranberry $80◀
The cranberry scone contains many cranberry dried fruits~ The dried fruits provide a different texture, and it pairs well with jam and butter to create different layers of flavor!
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✨ Minimum order of a dessert or drink per person
✨ No time limit!
✨ 'Halloween Event' Spend over $300 to receive a Halloween gift!!
