In a bistro located in the alleys of Taipei's East District, entering the door feels like stepping into a security guard's duty room, as one has to swipe a card to unlock the real entrance to the restaurant. This discreet way of entering gives a sense of clocking out from work and heading straight to drinks.

This bistro, PUNCH OUT, literally means "clock out," and inside, there's seating on the first floor as well as a large private room in the basement. The overall space is very spacious, and there are TVs mounted on the walls broadcasting sports events at all times, making it a perfect spot for friends to drink and watch various sports games.

The basement features an enormous private room with its own bathroom. It includes a large round table and KTV-style sofas, along with an 80-inch or larger TV screen that can play music, movies, and karaoke. The decor is minimal and stylish, making it ideal for company dinners or large group celebrations!

We dined in the basement private room this time and ordered quite a few dishes. Overall, the food was excellent, with both appetizers and main courses impressing us. We didn't encounter any disappointing dishes, and the ingredients were solid. From fries to seafood, every dish reflected the kitchen's diligent preparation. It wasn't like typical nightclubs where the atmosphere is great but the food is lackluster.

Here’s what we ordered:

• Mexican salsa and corn chips - $200
• Slow-cooked beef shank with garlic spice sauce - $360
• Cuban-style pork shoulder sandwich - $320
• Truffle mushroom roasted chicken risotto - $380
• Fried chicken trilogy - $380

We also ordered a few red and white wines.

The overall dining experience lasted 3 hours. While it wasn’t short, everyone felt like there wasn’t enough time to chat and catch up, haha.

PUNCH OUT, overall, is a very chill place. Besides serving delicious food, the whole bistro has a great atmosphere. The large private room in the basement, with both KTV and round tables, is perfect for gatherings with friends or company dinner parties!

After entering, there’s a sense of déjà vu similar to clocking out after work. The space has been thoughtfully designed, and after checking in, you can enjoy a relaxed dining environment and ambiance.

This time, I had dinner with my sisters and we ordered three dishes (as shown in the attached picture). The food was flavorful and delicious. The appetizers were very refreshing, with a vinaigrette paired with a fresh squid, serving as a great way to awaken the taste buds. As we savored the main courses, the fried chicken was perfectly tender, not at all dry in texture. The seasoning of the pasta was just right—not too salty or greasy.

The portion size we ordered was more than enough for the two of us. The drink menu was also interesting; I loved the quadrant presentation style that allowed us to choose based on our preferred taste profiles and alcohol content. If unable to decide, we could communicate with the owners to recommend suitable flavors.

If you're planning a gathering with a large group of friends, there are private rooms available for reservation on the lower level. There are large round tables for dining together, as well as entertainment options like gaming machines and KTV facilities for enjoyment, along with private restrooms for the rooms.

The private rooms require advance reservation, and they also come with exclusive menu items (which need to be booked three days in advance). On weekdays, a small room is TWD 2000/hr, and on weekends, TWD 2500/hr. The cost for the first hour can be deducted from food and drinks, and there’s a corking fee of TWD 800.

In the future, dart boards will be added, making this place perfect for gatherings, proposals, or special event arrangements.