This year, the discussion is very high, and every dish from this no-fail bistro is delicious.
The four of us shared and finished everything super quickly.
Even for the common meat sauce spaghetti, we were counting how many pieces of pasta each person could get (hope the portion could be a bit larger).
Currently, on even-numbered weeks, reservations for the "next two weeks" are open on Fridays at 5:00 PM.
The time slots for reservations are at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
The second floor retains the original high ceilings and slanted roof of the old building.
A friend shared that if you want to book the second floor, you need to reserve the next slot right after finishing your meal that day (reservations on the official website are all on the first floor).
If you're celebrating a birthday, they will give you a small birthday cake 🫶🏼.
The dishes we ordered this time:
♡ Slow-cooked silky cheese 300
♡ Hokkaido scallops / fresh figs / fennel salad 420
♡ Charcoaled little squid from Northeast Coast / Argentinian green sauce / pork back fat 350
♡ Charcoaled broccoli / macadamia nuts / pine nut sauce 300
♡ Beef liver mushrooms / mushrooms / chicken thigh pieces / bird’s nest noodles 400
♡ Bolognese meat sauce / large pipe pasta 400
♡ Crab juice / rose shrimp / lime / Italian aged rice 420
♡ Kavalan bone-in pork chop 8oz / sourdough bread sauce 720
♡ Baked apple crumble / vanilla ice cream 250
♡ Roasted tea tiramisu 250
The minimum spend per person is 500 TWD on drinks/beverages.
Overall Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Dikson's Fooday Food Review #272
This visit was also to a bistro.
It is a bistro located near Dapinglin in Xindian.
Recently, I've seen many introductions and advertisements for it.
Compared to general bistro-style establishments that lean more towards a bar feel,
I personally believe this one has a more restaurant vibe,
with dining as the main focus and drinks as a supplementary aspect.
After all, just looking at their operating hours,
it's clear they’re going for a restaurant series,
not really a bistro that stays open late.
However, the transportation situation is a bit inconvenient.
It's located in the area of Dapinglin in Xindian,
and it's not too far from the MRT station—about a 5-minute walk.
But because it’s not in a so-called bustling neighborhood,
it could be a bit troublesome if you are considering it as a place for a date.
Food: 🌕🌕🌖🌑🌑
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Price: 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
⭐️ Food
In terms of overall food,
although some dishes have slightly unique features,
the overall wow factor is somewhat lacking.
Additionally, each dish's portion is a bit too small,
making it feel a bit expensive for the price.
On that day, I had dinner here with three friends.
👉 Salted Egg Yolk Fries $220
For the fries, I felt they were typical of bistros or restaurants serving salted egg yolk fries.
There's nothing particularly special about them.
👉 Confit Duck Leg $660
The duck leg was quite flavorful and well-prepared.
However, as mentioned before,
the portion is really too small.
I would guess it’s about enough for one person.
So if you’re coming with friends,
and everyone wants to eat duck leg, I personally suggest ordering multiple portions.
After all, from the photo, you can see that one serving of duck leg is quite limited.
If everyone shares, each person can only get two or three bites.
So even if it’s delicious, the portion is really too small.
👉 Saffron Risotto $580
The risotto tasted quite flavorful,
but there was nothing particularly memorable about it. 😅😅😅
👉 Boneless Short Ribs $700
The boneless short ribs were a bit excessive.
I feel this price could buy a decent regular steak elsewhere,
but the portion here is also a bit too small.
In terms of cooking, I think the handling is acceptable.
It feels like just basic grilling of the beef,
with nothing particularly memorable about it.
It simply has the essence of eating beef.
But unfortunately, the portion is really too small.
👉 Scallop Spanish Baked Omelet $320
This baked omelet was one of the more memorable dishes of the day,
with some special ingredients added for flavor.
So it gives a different feeling when eating the whole omelet.
If I have friends visiting,
I would definitely recommend ordering this dish!
👉 Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil Garlic Shrimp $380
This dish comes with bread for pairing.
There were about six to eight shrimp in the serving,
making it one of the better deals among today’s dishes.
This dish works well with the bread;
placing the garlic shrimp on the bread to eat
gives it a nice overall flavor.
But the taste of the olive oil and garlic was a bit overwhelming,
resulting in a strong flavor for the shrimp. 😂😂
👉 Brioche Bread Tart $160
This dish was actually my top recommendation of the day.
It looked fantastic when served!
And it was very refreshing and delicious to eat,
with plenty of fish roe on top.
The portion isn’t too large,
so one bite each is easy to finish.
👉 Basque Cake $150
I didn’t find the Basque cake dessert particularly memorable.
It’s just a very typical Basque cake that you’d find in regular dessert shops. 😂
👉 Deconstructed Apple Pie $180
This dessert was my second recommended must-order item of the day.
The entire dessert resembles an apple ice cream,
with plenty of peanut powder beside it.
Though it is quite sweet overall,
it’s definitely an eye-catching specialty dessert.
Overall, each dish here looks quite nice in appearance and presentation,
but it’s unfortunate that
most portion sizes are on the small side.
It seems to lean towards a refined cuisine route,
but the flavors of the food don’t stand out or have special characteristics,
so it can only be said to be mediocre at best.
So for those looking to try some unique culinary offerings,
I feel this place might be a bit disappointing.
The food isn’t bad,
but it lacks distinctiveness. 🥹🥹🥹
⭐️ Drinks
The drink menu here is quite rich,
with a wide variety of cocktails listed.
The menu also provides detailed descriptions of each drink’s ingredients,
so for those looking for something unique,
you can refer to the cocktail combinations in the menu.
If you really don’t know what to drink,
you can also ask the staff.
They will carefully introduce each cocktail's content and flavor,
helping you find a taste and sensation you prefer.
I personally think the cocktails here are quite good.
I had two cocktails that day, and both were satisfying to the max.
They also have a genuine alcohol flavor,
not like some bistros where drinks taste like just sweet soda.
Compared to the food here,
I feel the cocktails surpass the meals quite a bit!
So if you visit,
definitely try ordering some cocktails!
⭐️ Atmosphere
The overall dining atmosphere of this place is quite excellent.
The ambiance, decor, and greenery are very well done,
making it perfect for gatherings with friends or dates.
The environment design is also fantastic,
with spacious seating arrangements,
resulting in a pleasant dining experience.
⭐️ Service
The service from the staff here was quite basic,
including taking orders and serving food, etc.
When each dish was served,
the staff would give a detailed description of the dishes and how to eat them.
However, it’s a bit unfortunate that
maybe due to the staff member being new that day,
they were wearing a mask,
so even though there were detailed introductions for each dish,
the speed of their speech was a bit fast due to nervousness,
and therefore, I didn’t hear quite clearly for each dish. 😂😂😂😂
So that was a bit unfortunate.
However, the service here is quite thoughtful,
still introducing each dish’s detailed content,
which is very much needed during dining!
⭐️ Price
As previously mentioned,
the portions for each dish here are rather small,
and since the flavors of each dish aren’t exceptional,
the prices make it feel a bit overpriced.
I think that's probably what frustrates you a bit. 🥹🥹🥹
⭐️ Overall
I think this bistro has a truly wonderful atmosphere,
from the landscape outside the entrance to the interior decor,
everything is quite high quality.
Although the location isn’t in a bustling area,
it's in a place that feels a bit like a paradise,
and the atmosphere is indeed quite lovely.
Unfortunately, though, the food aspect is lacking.
Every dish looks quite exquisite and special,
with great presentation,
but sadly,
the flavors and textures of the dishes don’t showcase their distinct character,
resulting in fewer memorable points.
Additionally, the excessively refined portions are genuinely small.
However, I think the cocktails are quite good,
with a very smooth and enjoyable flavor
that isn’t too weak.
Having two cocktails that day felt pretty good!
Personally, I feel this bistro is worth visiting if you happen to be nearby,
but because of the location,
I wouldn’t want to make a special trip to come here.
After all, there are better options in the bustling areas of the eastern district and Xinyi district!
Of course, if you are interested in the decor and appearance of this place,
you can certainly make a special visit here!
Recently, I visited a restaurant and bar in Kaohsiung that combines an escape room experience, bringing a very novel and unique experience. As soon as I entered the venue, I was enveloped by a strong escape room atmosphere; the entire decor and design details were filled with a sense of mystery and immersion. The entrance to the second-floor restaurant was especially creative, as you had to solve puzzles and complete challenges to gain entry, which was both surprising and fun!
The food was also impressive. The risotto had a perfectly textured center, exuding rich Spanish flavors, and the sauce was thick yet not greasy, with a wonderful depth of flavor. The pasta similarly performed well, with the texture of the noodles and the pairing of the sauce leaving a lasting aftertaste.
The selection of drinks was very rich, and interestingly, some items on the drink menu incorporated interactive game elements, adding fun and making the dining experience even more enjoyable and diverse.
Overall, this is a restaurant and bar with a fully immersive atmosphere. From the design to the food to the interactive details, you can feel the care put in by the owners. Whether you love escape rooms or just want to experience a fun restaurant and bar, I highly recommend coming to experience it for yourself!
The potion school is located at the intersection of Section 1 Anhe Road and Ren'ai Road, near the famous Ren'ai Road Roundabout. The style of this gastropub is clearly leaning towards British fantasy, with some people saying it’s a Harry Potter-themed restaurant. But of course, everything here is just a tribute.
Today, the four of us enjoyed a variety of dishes, totaling 5,192 Taiwanese dollars. Since we were dining as a group, there were some shared dishes and some individual servings, making it convenient to select a few items for detailed tasting and sharing our impressions.
Butterbeer (0%):
This generous beer mug makes you feel like you’re in a tavern in Ironforge from World of Warcraft, but the taste is complicated to describe — it’s quite sweet. The combination of malty flavor and creaminess greatly depends on personal preference. My wife thinks it tastes like apple cider with a milk cap, um… quite subtle.
Plum Pear:
Also very sweet, this non-alcoholic cocktail has a sweet and sour profile. However, to balance the flavor, the citrus slices on top have a slight bitterness that can neutralize the sweetness.
Golden Exploratory Potato:
Well, with a name like that... let's just discuss the taste! These sweet potato fries drizzled with syrup will be delightful for those with a sweet tooth. It's hard to tell if the syrup is maltose or something else, but the fries styled like candied sweet potatoes are quite surprising. There are also some small bits of bacon sprinkled on top to enhance the dish.
Baby Cabbage / Beer Clam Sauce / Salmon Roe:
This is an appetizer, seemingly consisting of lightly charred baby cabbage with a delicate grilled flavor. The rich cream and beer clam sauce provide a sweet and flavorful sensation. Although there aren’t many salmon roe on top, when bitten, they give off a freshness unique to fish roe, surprisingly complementing the base of baby cabbage.
XO Sauce Hokkaido Scallop Pasta:
With four tender scallops, the texture of the pasta is also just right. The combination of spices, tomatoes, and garlic adds to the deliciousness and balance of the dish.
Overall, it’s a fantastical gastropub with a British vibe. Even the washbasin in the restroom has special designs, making it feel like you’ve gone to a magic school for a meal. Although the prices are not low, it truly is a rare and valuable experience.
Highly recommended to everyone!
This is a scenic restaurant, but unfortunately, this time our seats were not placed where we could see the view. 🥲
We came here to celebrate a birthday (but there weren't many special birthday promotions; only the credit card benefits could yield a bit more return). We don't have much experience dining at bistros. The two of us ordered a set menu for 3-4 people because the guy has a big appetite. Usually, when ordering individually at restaurants, it doesn't turn out to be very economical, especially since we were quite hungry after not eating much at dinner. 😅 When we were ordering, the staff reminded us that two people might not be able to finish the meal. (I don't think anyone else comes to a bistro to eat as much as we do; other tables had several people sharing a couple of dishes and a few bottles of wine, while we ordered enough to fill the table.) To everyone's surprise, the portions turned out to be quite large. 😵💫
Passion Fruit Yogurt Salad $320
The fruit fragrance was very strong, and the ingredients were incredibly fresh. The yogurt was slightly sweet and paired very well. Besides the usual vegetables found in salads, there were plenty of fruit pieces and nuts, making it acceptable even for those who usually don't like raw vegetable salads.
ABV Signature Fried Chicken Wings $300
The skin was very crispy, and the meat was tender and juicy. Eating them solo was quite nice. The accompanying sauce was a bit sour and tasted fresh, reminiscent of authentic foreign cuisine, but it didn't align well with Taiwanese tastes, so we hardly used the dipping sauce and just enjoyed them on their own (which tasted great!).
Fried Potato Cubes with Spanish Tomato Sauce $240
These are simply fried potato cubes, very fresh and tasty, perfect to pair with beer. They were quickly devoured. The Spanish tomato sauce tasted quite different from the commonly found tomato sauce in Taiwan, so it's probably better for those who might not be used to it to order regular crispy fries.
Spanish Sausage Cold Platter $190
The seasoning was quite salty, sliced thinly. We found it surprisingly good with bread. The flavor complemented it well and balanced out the salty taste.
Portuguese Piri Piri Grilled Chicken $360
The meat was very tender, and the seasoning was just right. However, it was super hot when it was served! You have to be careful; you can't eat it immediately.
Sweet Potato Stir-Fried Shrimp $360
This was my favorite dish from this meal, far exceeding five stars. Previously we had the fried potato, but it was too dry, while this dish, with stir-fried shrimp, had a sauce that infused the potatoes with flavor, making them soft and soaked in broth, which was absolutely perfect, especially with the fresh shrimp as a garnish. Just stunning! 😍
Hungarian Red Pepper White Sauce Pasta $460
The shrimp in this dish were a bit older than those in the previous dish, slightly tough, and the flavor was not particularly memorable. The portion was standart, not like many high-end restaurants that only serve for display.
Port Wine Grilled Meat Rigatoni $420
The pasta had a unique shape I hadn’t tried before; it felt a bit like separated lasagna. The seasoning was just right, but the only downfall of the entire dish was that the grilled meat was quite dry. 🥹 Not recommended.
ABV Classic Dark Beer Cake $240
It was a slightly moist and dense brownie with very rich chocolate, moderate sweetness, and it was delicious. There was a dark beer... gel? on the side. You couldn't taste the alcohol and weren’t sure how to pair it, but it was still a very delicious dessert! Highly recommended!
This time, the two of us ordered the above dishes (in set menu style), along with two bottles of beer and a 10% service charge, totaling 3156. We were very satisfied with the dining experience and would definitely come back. But truly, I advise everyone not to be like us and order so much, as we ended up very full and couldn’t drink much wine. If you want to properly savor the food while chatting and drinking, it's more suitable to have 4-5 people ordering a few dishes along with some bottles of wine!
Location: Xinyi District, Taipei City
Today is the championship game of the baseball league.
I went with friends to find a gastropub for dinner.
I thought this restaurant's drinks looked really cute,
so we made a reservation and came here.
It just so happens they are broadcasting the game, which is awesome! 👏
Since there were too many options, we decided on a couple's set and then ordered some individual dishes we wanted. 🤣
🌟 Chawanmushi
As soon as we opened the lid, the chawanmushi was steaming hot.
There are seafood inside,
and it is very delicious with the egg steamed to a perfect softness.
Absolutely recommend it. 😌
🌟 Sushi and Chicken Skewers
Every sushi flavor was delicious.
The seafood portions were quite fresh,
and there was also some extravagant decoration below,
making it perfect for photo ops.
Though I was a bit confused as to why the decoration was directly placed on the box,
basically, every seasoning tasted pretty good.
Additionally, you could choose to have wasabi on the side for dipping,
allowing those who don't like wasabi to have the option.
The chicken skewers had lemon on top,
making the chicken's fat less overwhelming.
It was very tasty as soon as it was served.
🌟 Lobster Rice
They poured the high-temperature broth into the rice in the stone pot right there.
The combination was very rich and aromatic.
The seafood flavor elevated the whole dish.
You shouldn't let the rice sit for too long, or it will turn into stone pot rice,
making it quite hard (I don't really like hard rice,
but some people like crispy rice and can wait a bit).
I really recommend this dish; it's a must-try.
🌟 Nikko Toshogu Cocktail
This was my first cocktail.
I actually came here mainly for the cocktails.
This drink has a super Instagram-worthy style,
and smoke even comes out when you open it,
making it incredibly photo-worthy.
It also tastes very refreshing and delicious,
not too strong in alcohol and just the right amount of sweetness.
I really love this drink; highly recommend it.
Overall, whether it was the food or the drinks,
this place left a deep impression.
I didn't encounter any disappointments,
and I really enjoyed it.
I would want to come back here with friends again in the future.
Summary: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Dickson's Food Review #265
This review is part of the nightlife series!
The venue visited is a bar and restaurant that specializes in hookah.
This bar primarily focuses on hookah, followed by cocktails, and finally the food.
The food here seems to be in collaboration with other nearby vendors, so when you order food in the restaurant, the staff will step outside shortly to bring back your order from another place.
But I have to say, even though the food isn’t made on-site, the dishes from the partner vendors are genuinely quite delicious. 😂😂
I almost wanted to ask which nearby restaurant they partnered with!
Regarding the highlight, the hookah section, the hookah at this place is overall quite nice, and the flavors are unique with a good variety of options to choose from.
It’s not too harsh or uncomfortable, making it great for friends who are trying hookah for the first time.
Additionally, the cocktails are fairly standard and not overly strong in flavor.
They align more with the bar's style, resembling light drinks, but without being too exaggerated!
The interior style of the restaurant is rather comfortable, featuring a lounge area and regular seating.
The basement part even has a large private room if anyone is interested in booking a private event, this bar should be considered!
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Price: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
⭐️ Food section
👉 Spicy Braised Meat Combo
This braised meat combo consists of pig skin, tofu, and some other common braised items.
The spiciness is just right, not too overwhelming, while still retaining a nice kick!
It makes for a great dish to enjoy with drinks!
👉 Cheese Fries
The cheese on these fries is incredibly rich!
It’s paired with some additional toppings like tomato and lettuce.
In terms of cheese fries, this dish was quite good and is one of the perfect pairings to enjoy with hookah.
👉 Fried Chicken
The fried chicken here is relatively ordinary.
It’s still above average, but more akin to what you’d find at a typical bar!
As previously mentioned, the dishes here aren’t the main focus of the restaurant, and they collaborate with external vendors to provide menus.
The offered items are more tailored for enjoying alongside drinks or hookah, rather than main meals, so I suggest eating something beforehand if you’re coming for a meal!
⭐️ Drinks section
The cocktails showed an average performance.
As I recall, their drinks are quite refreshing and delicious.
In terms of hookah, it was also pretty good and offered some unique flavors, providing various options to choose from!
It’s not overly intense or harsh, making it suitable whether you’re a regular hookah user or someone who indulges occasionally.
⭐️ Atmosphere section
The vibe inside the restaurant is actually quite pleasant.
The space is well-planned, featuring lounge areas and standard seating.
The regular seating has square tables, generally accommodating four people.
The lounge area is, of course, a bit more spacious, making it suitable for groups of friends to enjoy a private seating arrangement.
Additionally, the downstairs area has a large space available for private events, offering plenty of room!
Thus, the overall space planning and usage create a comfortable environment.
The restaurant's lighting style leans towards a dimmed, bar-like vibe, making it a fantastic place for couples on dates or for conversations.
⭐️ Service section
When I visited, even on a Friday, there weren't many customers in the restaurant, with only one or two staff members available.
However, since there weren’t many customers, the service was satisfactory.
The staff was very enthusiastic in introducing different hookah flavors and what pairs well with them, providing some basic guidance.
That day, we had a small incident where our ordered hookah flavor became a bit too harsh after a few rounds of smoking.
After we mentioned this to the staff, the owner eagerly replaced it with a fresh flavor, which is reportedly one of their signatures!
The owner was also very friendly, chatting with customers at various tables, so I felt the service was quite good!
⭐️ Price section
Overall, the prices here are pretty standard, in line with other bar and hookah venues in the area.
I’d say it’s a reasonable expectation.
⭐️ Overall
I think this bar, with its atmosphere and hookah offerings, is very suitable for anyone looking to visit!
If you're planning to come with several friends, booking a private area or reserving a table would be great, allowing everyone to enjoy hookah and drinks while snacking and having a relaxed evening together!
If you're coming for a date, I believe the atmosphere is also quite appropriate.
Two people can share a drink and enjoy hookah, chatting about thoughts and feelings.
With cocktails and a slight buzz, doesn’t that feel like a more romantic encounter? ❤️❤️❤️
For those interested in hookah or cocktails, if you have the chance, you should definitely give this place a try!
Taipei Neihu - A restaurant and bar specializing in clams, enjoy a generous serving of clams! Other dishes are relatively pricey, recommended for clam lovers, definitely don’t miss out!
📍 Plenty of Clams Grilled - 160 NTD
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
A satisfying portion for two, seasoned simply with ginger strips. The broth is drinkable and not overly salty. The portion of clams is generous and reasonably priced, but the quality is inconsistent, with some sand not fully removed.
📍 Thai Basil Pork Rice - 180 NTD
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Comes with a fried egg and a slice of lemon for squeezing. The taste of the Thai basil pork is quite ordinary, and the portion of rice is small, slightly spicy. I find the price a bit high, decent value for money.
📍 Spicy Combo - 180 NTD
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Basically, it’s spicy hot pot. Comes with a bowl of white rice, mainly consisting of hot pot ingredients, with plenty of shrimp and clams; the broth is quite spicy and usually can't be finished.
▶️ Environment
🔹 Plenty of indoor seating, with outdoor and indoor options
🔹 Utensils are self-service
🔹 Each table has a trash can nearby, convenient for disposing of shells
▶️ Friendly Reminders
🔹 It’s recommended to call ahead for reservations
🔹 The dining time during peak hours for main meals is 1.5 hours
🔹 A minimum spend of 200 NTD per person, which can be shared at the same table (minimum spend does not include alcohol and drinks)
🔹 Bringing your own alcoholic beverages incurs a corkage fee of 300 NTD per bottle
🔹 Payment can be made by card after the meal
▶️ Overall Evaluation
🔹 Highly recommended for clam lovers, as the portions are generous and cheap, though the quality is not very high, with some clams not purged of sand and the clams being small. Other dishes are quite pricey.
In everyone's heart, the reasons that make a restaurant worth lingering in are different. However, there is a bar in Kaohsiung that cleverly combines the futuristic vibe of cyberpunk with the serene atmosphere of Japanese Zen. Here, customers can feel peaceful and quiet while dining, and after nightfall, they can immerse themselves in a high-tech cyberpunk atmosphere, experiencing two completely different styles...
✅ Crispy Truffle Fries: These are bread-coated fries made with truffle powder and truffle oil, with an additional side of truffle yogurt dip. Eaten on their own, the fries are fragrant and crunchy, with a subtle truffle aroma. Paired with the slightly tangy yogurt dip, the overall taste is fresher, and the truffle flavor becomes richer.
✅ Intense Seafood Baked Rice: Made with rice from Fuli, Hualien, combined with clams, white shrimp, squid, and bacon. The rice itself has a roasted aroma and absorbs the seafood flavor, offering a firm texture that strikes a balance between being fully cooked and pleasantly chewy. The seafood is exceptionally fresh, with each bite offering a rich and layered taste. Although the dish is labeled as mildly spicy, the spiciness is hardly noticeable, so even those who are not accustomed to spicy food need not worry.
✅ Scallop Squid Ink Pasta: Made with squid ink pasta, Hokkaido scallops, pearls, sesame leaves, and dried tomatoes. The pasta is infused with the sweet flavor of clams, with a well-balanced saltiness. Combining it with sesame leaves adds a layer of taste, creating a harmonious flavor. The shellfish ingredients are also very fresh and delicious.
✅ Special German Pork Knuckle: Includes pork knuckle, homemade sauerkraut, and red wine garlic vinegar. The pork knuckle's outer skin is roasted to a golden crisp, with thick, tender meat. Paired with red wine garlic vinegar, it is both tangy and appetizing. The sauerkraut underneath is made with onions and potatoes, providing a balanced taste when enjoyed together with the pork knuckle.
Upon entering the store, the interior decor immediately grabs attention, complemented by a relaxing atmosphere and projected videos on the walls, allowing diners to enjoy their food while appreciating the visuals. The menu is rich with options, and the plating is exquisite. Although the price per dish is not low, the quality and flavor of the ingredients definitely justify the cost. It is an ideal place to celebrate special occasions or enjoy a relaxing evening with friends. Overall, it's a place that will definitely make you want to visit again.
Overall Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Dixon's Fooday Review #257
This time, I'm reviewing another restaurant & bar from the nightlife series.
The Public House has been on my list for quite some time now.
After all, among my friends, it has a pretty good reputation.
I've heard that both the drinks and food are quite impressive.
However, it's really hard to get a reservation.
Usually, it's tough to book a spot on weekend evenings during peak times.
Fortunately, I finally managed to visit this time.
Overall, the dining atmosphere and the space inside the place are quite nice.
It has a style leaning more towards European British vibes.
The outdoor setup also adds a lot to the atmosphere.
So, right from the moment you arrive, you can feel that whether you're dining or drinking, the atmosphere here is pretty good.
However, in terms of the food, personally, I didn't find anything particularly amazing.
And some dishes can only be ordered after a specific time (I'm talking about the Mapo Tofu here.
The restaurant states that due to the strong flavor of the Mapo Tofu,
it can only be ordered after 10:30 PM.
So if you're keen on trying the Mapo Tofu,
don't come too early!
The menu here mainly consists of pasta and risotto.
Other main dishes include ribs and beef short ribs.
The menu is quite detailed, and you can try whatever you feel like ordering that day!
Unfortunately, many dishes were out of stock when we visited and weren't available.
I might try visiting again next time to see how it goes!
As for the drinks,
although they have unique flavors and a diverse menu,
offering something for everyone to enjoy,
I personally didn't find the alcohol content that impressive.
So the flavors of the drinks are fine,
but it's more like drinking a beverage than actual alcohol.
However, the dining and gathering atmosphere of this place is excellent.
Both the food and drinks are above standard.
I still think it's a pretty decent restaurant & bar.
Especially suitable for dates or gatherings with friends!
It can certainly be added to the list of restaurant & bars in Taipei!
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Price: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
⭐️ Food Review:
👉 Mapo Tofu Rice $300
When we first sat down for dinner,
I initially wanted to order the Mapo Tofu Rice.
But the staff said that due to its strong flavor, it's not available during dinner hours.
(Although I was wondering why… didn't really understand the logic behind the strong flavor? 😂😂😂
The restaurant clarified that it would be available after 10:30 or 11 PM.
However, since we arrived around 8 PM,
I was worried that after 10:30 or 11 PM, we might have to leave due to other guests arriving.
But we really wanted to try this dish😂😂
Finally, at 10:30, we managed to order the rice😍.
Originally thought the Mapo Tofu would have a very strong or spicy flavor~
But we were a bit surprised when we finally got to taste it!
It didn't really taste like typical Mapo Tofu!
It was more like a braised tofu rice or soup!
So where was the supposedly strong flavor~~~
But the staff was considerate enough,
fearing customers might find the flavor lacking,
they provided additional spicy oil or chili powder to adjust the taste.
However, even after adding a lot of spicy oil or sauce, a friend accompanying me found the dish only mildly spicy😂😂😂
So waiting so long for just an average dish~
I'm just indifferent about this Mapo Tofu.
If you're not particularly interested, you might skip it.
👉 Spice Fried Beef Tripe $280
Seeing so many people recommending it, I had high expectations and ordered it excitedly😂😂😂.
Overall it's not bad,
the spices add a rich flavor~
But it's a pity that it wasn't as special or unique as I imagined~~~
It's delicious sure,
but it didn't leave me very impressed.
Since it's a staple dish here,
I still recommend trying it~
👉 Fresh Fish Clam Soup $280
Personally, I think this soup is quite good.
Probably the best thing I had today.
The fish soup is very fresh!
And there's a lot of fish meat.
The clams are pretty standard~
Overall, I liked this soup quite a bit.
I recommend ordering it!～
👉 Peeled Chili Stir-Fried Squid $280
This stir-fried squid didn't leave much of an impression.
Just like what you'd typically find in a stir-fry restaurant or elsewhere.
Even though it's labeled as "peeled chili,"
the heat and numbness were almost nonexistent～
The portion of squid is quite generous,
making it a good snack to pair with drinks～
And finally, when you're about to leave,
the restaurant has a tradition of offering a bowl of chicken soup,
more like a cup,
as a final supplement and hangover remedy after drinking.
Personally, I thought this chicken soup was the best thing I had here today.
It's really a high-quality chicken soup!
And it's free too!!
In terms of food,
I think it's above average among restaurant & bars,
but there aren't many memorable or outstanding parts.
Still, overall it's worth a try,
maybe paired with drinks and chatting with friends as a side dish～
Perhaps it's because I didn't order many main courses,
hoping to experience something different next time with other main courses!
⭐️ Drinks Review:
Since it's a restaurant & bar, drinks are naturally an important part.
The drinks menu here isn't huge,
but each item is quite featured.
The introduction of the drinks, along with their base and pairings, shows a lot of thoughtfulness, and they are quite classy!
I tried a lot of unique drinks that day,
I feel the drinks here are more like a variety of fancy cocktails~
Some cocktails were really creative.
For example, I ordered a cocktail, thinking it would be standard,
but it came looking more like a slushie.
Though it looked like a slushie, it had a subtle alcohol taste~
I really liked that one.
I think I had about three or four drinks that day,
each with its own flavor feature or presentation,
but if you're trying to feel tipsy,
even after three or four drinks, you might not get there.
I think this bar's cocktails
are great for dates or spending the night with a few friends here.
Perfect for trying out unique cocktails with someone special!
And you don't have to worry about them or yourself drinking too much and losing face.
I highly recommend the flavors and style of the cocktails here.
So if you approach it more like drinking a beverage,
I'd recommend coming here to try it!
But if you truly want high alcohol content or to get tipsy,
maybe ask the staff for recommendations or make special requests!
Nevertheless, I think the drinks here are quite distinctive～
If you're into unique flavors or creative cocktails,
this is a place to try out!
⭐️ Atmosphere Review:
This place, whether exterior or interior decor,
maintains a very classy style.
From the outside, it leans towards a British style.
And stepping inside,
the interior is warm wood-themed,
with a dimly lit bar vibe!
There are plenty of seats inside.
Besides the bar seats,
there are also two or three sofa seating areas.
In the middle, there are several tables available for two to four people.
The seating arrangment is not cramped at all.
So the overall dining and drinking experience is quite good!
Additionally, after 9 PM, the lights dim slowly,
improving the cozy atmosphere ideal for chatting or dating while sipping drinks~
In terms of atmosphere, it's well done!
Perfect for a date here!
⭐️Service Review:
Upon arriving,
staff greet you at the entrance,
and after you settle in,
the staff remain friendly.
Mostly helping with orders, serving food, or drinks.
But it's typical restaurant & bar service～
However, as mentioned earlier about ordering,
particularly some dishes needing to be ordered only after a certain time,
there was some uncertainty about dining time limits.
We feared entering at 8 PM and having to leave by 10:30,
missing the Mapo Tofu rice😂😂😂
But the staff didn't specifically mention any fixed times for other patrons,
so we were anxiously uncertain at the time😂😂
Overall, I think the service was pretty good,
nothing outstanding or terribly wrong～
⭐️Price Review:
I find this restaurant & bar's pricing is similar to typical East District places,
whether for food or drinks,
just basic Taipei pricing～
⭐️In Conclusion:
Summarizing my thoughts about this restaurant & bar in the context of Taipei's numerous places;
what stands out are the atmosphere and drinks.
The food seems more secondary,
more like something you'd eat while sipping drinks.
But because of the excellent drinking atmosphere, I would consider this a place worth revisiting in the future.
If you're someone who enjoys exploring various restaurants & bars,
I think it's worth a visit!