Natural Studio 本質工作室

One day at work, I saw a post from a blogger (was discovered slacking off at work XD). I quickly made a reservation and rushed to eat after getting off just that day. On the way, I sneakily checked out the reviews and felt a bit nervous, fearing impulsively running into a bad option.

As soon as I walked in, I saw the bar counter. To the right was an open kitchen. The atmosphere of the whole restaurant was great. There were some loud customers at the big table that day, but the two of us were arranged in a space above a small staircase, distanced from the big table, where the noise level was acceptable. However, if you prefer a quiet experience, you might need some luck.

The menu is scanned via a QR code, and some dishes are only available during lunch. The server takes orders at the table. I must say, their staff training is superb. The ordering process was smooth, and they reminded us about what needed to be said from the menu. For example, when we asked the staff while ordering, "Is the clam and mussel pot recommended with bread?" The staff replied, "Absolutely recommended!" Super cute XD.

The Mazu clam and mussel pot was mildly spicy and heavily seasoned. The clams and mussels tasted fresh. The ciabatta bread was served after being toasted a bit before coming to the table. It was delicious on its own. Today was a pleasant surprise—the dipping sauce for the clam and mussel pot was fantastic, and both dishes were served together. The attention to detail was commendable.

The chef's special (grilled pig tongue) is usually something we find flavorful, but this dish was a bit salty. However, it was grilled just right, crispy and chewy. The squid and seafood risotto unfortunately didn't have any al dente texture. It did have some squid pieces added for texture, though. The Four Seasons Spring tea was labeled as unsweetened on the menu but had a floral aroma that gave the illusion of sweetness while drinking it.

The mint cucumber kombucha had subtle flavors of both mint and cucumber, which wasn’t overwhelming or unappealing.

Overall, today's dining experience was great! Nowadays, many restaurants use pre-packaged meals, but from the first dish here, it was clear that they handle their food personally. The downside is that the serving speed might be slower, but the portion sizes were just right for us to feel satisfied.