察爾斯廚房 Charles' Kitchen

📍 Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (inside Huashan Creative Park)
A cozy bistro with a craftsman spirit from Tianmu 🧑‍🍳🥘

This restaurant's original location was on a small hillside at Tianmu Xingyi Road, which is not very easy to reach – it has always been one of my favorites!

Since it opened about 10 years ago, I have continually returned, even after moving to Huashan Creative Park at the end of 2023 🫶🏻

Over the years, I’ve followed the restaurant's Facebook page and have felt the owner's seriousness towards ingredients and cooking through their posts. In these 10 years, from the menu and plating to the restaurant's decor, I can see changes and improvements with each visit. It’s a place that keeps evolving with care. 👍🏻

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Dishes Ordered:
🥩 Australian Aged Ribeye Steak Classic Platter ($590):
The New Zealand grain-fed steak is pan-seared with garlic oil, giving it a slightly crispy char on the surface. The meat is a bit chewy, which I really enjoy.

The sides on the platter vary slightly each time; this time there wasn’t a lettuce salad but replaced with cherry tomatoes.

Additionally, there were potato wedges, broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, bread, and butter. Some of the seasonings are milder, and you can add rose salt, black pepper, or ketchup. After finishing, I was really full!

🍣 Cold Smoked Salmon with Sesame Leaves Classic Platter ($480):
Last year, the salmon was simply placed as two pieces; this time it was beautifully rolled into a flower!

The salmon was very tender and packed with layers of fresh flavor 🤤

🍅 Smoked Tomato Soup ($150):
I had it once at the original location in Tianmu and thought it was amazing!

This time the soup was a bit too thick, but aside from the rich tomato flavor, there was also a hint of sweet chicken broth, which I still liked! It paired well with the bread.

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Would I visit again: Yes!
The service is very considerate! The meals are delicious with no misses.

However, after moving to Huashan, I find it a bit disappointing that meal prices have increased significantly, and reservations are quite full on weekends. You definitely need to book in advance, and you can only dine for 90 minutes, which feels a bit rushed, taking away some of the leisurely brunch vibe.

On the bright side, their operating hours have been extended to 9 PM (previously only until the afternoon), making it a good option for post-work gatherings!

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Notes:
🔸 Supports LinePay and credit cards
🔸 10% service charge for takeout