滿樂門 （Cafe Monument）

The historic restaurant "Cafe Monument" is easy to remember. It is located at the triangular intersection of Zhongshan North Road and Chang'an West Road, within walking distance from Zhongshan MRT Station. The red-brick building shows floral engravings. Next door is the long-closed "Lintian Barrel Shop."

This place is great for lunch and afternoon tea. It's perfect for slow dining and long chats, and you won’t be disappointed. When catching up with friends, this is the go-to spot.

My friend ordered my usual dish, "Tea-Scented Pork with Melon," the first item on the menu. "Braised Pork with Preserved Plum" was also chosen, which looks incredibly appealing and should taste just as good. Two people coincidentally chose the "Pan-Seared Pork Ribs," which need no frying and are delicious.

The set meal also includes three small dishes and soup, paired with five-grain rice, making for a balanced diet. For the complimentary drink, I chose hot "Job’s Tears Porridge," which warms the stomach.

Eating, drinking, and chatting seamlessly transitioned into afternoon tea. Adding dessert to the lunch only costs an additional 70 NT dollars. Today, they had "Tiramisu," which I’ve always liked. There was also "Cheesecake," which had a mild cheese flavor (as I don't consume much dairy), somewhat like a traditional cake, which suited my taste.

There are many choices, and with a large group, one can sample a variety of dishes shared by others. Next time, I can choose different combinations.

The prices are reasonable, and it’s fine that they only accept cash. Most importantly, the enduring flavors of homemade dishes provide a sense of comfort and satisfaction.