Elite Concept Cafe [一禮莊園 Cafe]

Visit: August 6, 2012
Address: 台北市南京東路三段133號
Number: (02) 3518 - 3177
Website: http://www.westin.com.tw/01_text.asp?sn=24

Menu

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Cake Display~

Cake Display

If only there were more cakes on display :/


Mango Tart (德式芒果塔) $200 NT

Mango Tart

The mango tart was just quite splendid. The crust was really nice and the mango slices were fresh instead of canned. 

Just some afternoon tea~

I would recommend Elite Concept Cafe for its cakes and its laid back atmosphere. Despite the fact that the cafe is in the lobby of the hotel, it wasn't loud or irritating at all. 

Marco Polo [馬可波羅]

Visit: August 5, 2012
Address: 台北市大安區敦化南路二段201號 38F
Number: (02) 2376 - 3156
Website: http://www.feph.com.tw/pages/frontend/main.htm

Marco Polo has been getting a lot of press regarding visiting chefs and what not. In the end, publicity won...I had to go try Marco Polo.

Menu

Menu

Complimentary Bread

Complimentary Bread

The Italian flat bread was my favorite.

Appetizer - Caesar Salad (開胃菜 - 經典凱撒沙拉)

Caesar Salad

Appetizer Tuna Salad - (開胃菜 - 黃鰭鮪魚尼斯沙拉)

Tuna Salad

Appetizer - Mashed Corn in Cheese Sauce (開胃菜 - 義式玉米糕襯小黃菇佐藍紋乳酪起市醬)

Mashed Corn in Cheese Sauce

The corn thing was really good and mushy. I couldn't really taste the cheese, but the cream really complimented the corn.

Appetizer - Seared Scallops with Ham (開胃菜 - 嫩煎干貝襯青豆醬佐火腿脆片)

Seared Scallops with Ham

The scallops were nicely seared.

Soup - Vegetable Soup with Job's Tears (湯 - 青醬風味蔬菜薏仁湯)

Vegetable Soup with Job's Tears

I liked this one more out of the two choices.

Soup - Beef and Chicken Soup with Ham Ravioli (湯 - 牛肉及雞肉清湯襯義式火腿餃)

Beef and Chicken Soup with Ham Ravioli

When I saw ravioli, I was so excited!!! But the soup ended up not tasting like anything, and the ravioli didn't taste like a ravioli either.

Pasta/Risotto - Fettuccine in Cheese Meat Sauce (手工義大利麵及燉飯 - 雙色手工寬麵佐牛肉起士肉醬)

Fettuccine in Cheese Meat Sauce

This just tasted like the standard spaghetti.

Pasta/Risotto - Spaghetti in Spicy Seafood Tomato Sauce (手工義大利麵及燉飯 - 辣味番茄海鮮義大利麵)

Spaghetti in Spicy Seafood Tomato Sauce

I failed to taste anything spicy in this bland sauce.

Pasta/Risotto - Risotto with Oysters in Squid Ink (手工義大利麵及燉飯 - 檸香生蠔墨魚汁燉飯)

Risotto with Oysters in Squid Ink

Definitely get the risotto if you are given these choices.

Main - Assorted Grilled Meats (主菜 - 綜合碳烤拼盤) $990 NT

Assorted Grilled Meats

The first time my dish came, the pork rib was really really yummy, but my steak was too well done. When I told the waitress about it, she very quickly offered to make me another one. Second time around, the steak was good, but three rib was too dry.
 
Dessert - Tiramisu (義式招牌甜點 - 提拉米蘇)

Tiramisu

The tiramisu would be my choice.

Dessert -Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry Sauce (義式招牌甜點 - 黑巧克力慕斯佐草莓醬)

Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry Sauce

I'm not a big fan of mousse but I would have to admit that their mousse isn't bad.

Dessert - Chestnut Flavored Chocolate Mousse (義式招牌甜點 - 栗子風味巧克力慕斯佐肉桂波特酒)

Chestnut Flavored Chocolate Mousse

Coffee + Biscotti 

Coffee + Biscotti

I was so disappointed with...everything at Marco Polo. First off, the food was definitely not at all at a level anywhere near my favorite restaurants though I have to say, the set was extremely cheap for the amount of food we got. The staff was also very untrained. When I had my main course redone, I practically watched everyone finish their dish while mine was lying on the side neglected by the waitress because she was too busy servicing the other table. What was worse what that for some reason, the waiters weren't allowed to serve to the tables, so I saw free waiters walking in and out, but none of them would pick up my main. By the time my main course came, the rest of my family was done with lunch. I don't think I'd go to Marco Polo again. The view was great, and maybe the more expensive sets are better, but this visit was just too much of a disappointment.

The Dragon [辰園]

Visit: July 9, 2012
Address: 台北市忠孝東路一段12號B1
Number: (02) 2321 - 1818
Website: http://www.sheraton-taipei.com/english/r_dragon.htm

I've made it my goal to try every single restaurant in Sheraton, so I'm just working really hard towards reaching that goal.

Crispy Barbecued Superior Pork with Caramelized Sugar (脆皮叉燒) $460 NT

Crispy Barbecued Superior Pork with Caramelized Sugar

This is exactly the same dish as the one at My Humble House which was of course tasty.

Pastry with BBQ Pork and Preserved Eggs (皮蛋叉燒酥) $130 NT

Pastry with BBQ Pork and Preserved Eggs

The pastry just fell right off layer by layer in my mouth~ I couldn't taste the preserved eggs, but the barbecue pork pastry was good.

Stir Fried Water Spinach (清炒空心菜) $300 NT

Stir Fried Water Spinach

Chinese Sweetened Bean Paste Pancake (豆沙煎窩餅) $150 NT

Chinese Sweetened Bean Paste Pancake

The chinese pancake here was very different from the standard one. The bean paste is inside this mochi-like pancake that is fried on the outside. The three different textures in the dessert just made the pancake so much more desirable.

I would definitely recommend The Dragon. The food was very yummy and the atmosphere and service were pretty decent.

The Guest House [請客樓]

Visit: July 31, 2012
Address: 台北市大同區忠孝東路一段12號 17F
Number: (02) 2321 - 1818
Website: http://www.sheraton-taipei.com/english/r_guest_house.htm


Another Chinese meal before I leave for the states and leave all the awesome food behind :)

Menu

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For Ears Only - Pork Tongue Wrapped in Pork Ear (悄悄話) $200 NT

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For Ears Only - Pork Tongue Wrapped in Pork Ear

Preserved Eggs in Peeled Pepper (泡椒皮蛋) $200 NT

Preserved Eggs in Peeled Pepper 

The peeled pepper wasn't too spicy and was definitely a nice appetizer to start the meal with.

Pork Tail in Fermented Red East (紅鞠尾巴) $200 NT

Pork Tail in Fermented Red East 

I actually came to the restaurant for the pork tail which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Although the pork tail was stewed nicely, it lacked the flavoring.

Kung Pao Chicken (宮保雞丁) $400 NT

Kung Pao Chicken 

The kung pao chicken was stir fried long enough and spicy enough for my liking.


Braised Shark Belly with Soybean Sauce (豆醬沙魚肚) $520 NT

Braised Shark Belly with Soybean Sauce 

The shark belly was really tender and the sauce was also good.


Baked Turnip Cakes (蘿蔔絲酥餅) $160 NT x 2

Baked Turnip Cakes 

I really like baked turnip cakes, so I thought this was yummy.

Stir Fried Yam Vegetables (清炒地瓜葉) $300 NT

Stir Fried Yam Vegetables 

The usual.

Stewed Sugarcane Shoots with Vegetables (碧綠燜蔗筍)

Stewed Sugarcane Shoots with Vegetables 

Szechuan Green Beans (乾扁四季豆) $360 NT & Pan-fried Scallion Pancakes (蔥油餅) $120 NT x 2

Szechuan Green Beans & Pan-fried Scallion Pancakes

The scallion pancakes here aren't the thick kinds, so it served as a perfect skin for the wrap with the green beans.

Salty Pork with Bean Curd Soup in a Clay Pot (砂鍋醃篤鮮) $480 NT

Salty Pork with Bean Curd Soup in a Clay Pot 

Sweetened Red Bean Pancakes (紅豆煎鍋餅) $320 NT

Sweetened Red Bean Pancakes 

I was so disappointed with the red bean panckes! The pancake had a bit too much sesame on it and not enough red bean paste which made the entire dish a little too dry.

The guest house is a decent Chinese restaurant, but it wouldn't be my first choice. The dishes were a bit mediocre and the selection a bit limited.

Canton Court [粵菜廳]

Visit: July 25, 2012
Address: 台北市中山區中山北路二段63號 2F
Number: (02) 2100 - 2100
Website: http://www.ambassadorhotel.com.tw/TP/Dining/taipei_dining_info.htm?CTID={FD832E93-9F3B-43B6-B0A5-81738CA05562}

Just an afternoon of lunch with my dad and my grandpa.

Menu

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Steamed Chicken's Claw with Chili Scallop Sauce (XO醬鳳爪) $80 NT

Steamed Chicken's Claw with Chili Scallop Sauce

The chicken claw here was actually pretty easy to eat since the meat just kind of slid off the bone.

Pork with Honey Pastry (蜜汁叉燒酥) $100 NT

Pork with Honey Pastry 

We thought that dining with 3 people today would be an awesome number for dim sum. But then... there came only two yummy pork pastries.

Roasted Pork Rice Noodles (叉燒腸粉) $120 NT

Roasted Pork Rice Noodles 

Steamed Yam with Taros Cake (山藥芋頭糕) $80 NT

Steamed Yam with Taros Cake 

The steamed cake was a little too dry for my liking

Assorted Barbecue Suckling Pig Plate (乳豬拼盤) $600 NT

Assorted Barbecue Suckling Pig Plate

I wasn't a huge fan of the duck in the assorted plate. The suckling pig was decent, but My Humble House still makes it better.

Crispy Fried Chicken (脆皮炸子雞) $600 NT

Crispy Fried Chicken 

I actually ordered this thinking it would be crispy stir fried chicken... big oops there. The chicken was a bit dry, but it was still good.

Clam and Sponge Cucumber (蛤蜊燴絲瓜) $320 NT

Clam and Sponge Cucumber

To my surprise, I very much enjoyed the soft sponge cucumbers and the nice flavors in the dish

Seafood Fried Noodles Cantonese Style (海鮮廣東炒麵) $320 NT

Seafood Fried Noodles Cantonese Style

We asked for our noodles and seafood sauce to be separated so that the noodles will remain crispy, but it really wasn't necessary. There was so much nicely cooked fresh seafood in the sauce, and the entire dish was good.

Canton Court has a huge selection when it comes to food. I'd have to say that the service is a little inattentive and inefficient for a hotel restaurant, but I would still recommend Canton Court.

Yi Yuan Peking Cuisine [頤園北京料理]

Visit: July 24, 2012
Address: 台北市中山區南京東路三段133號 B2 (Westin Hotel)
Number: (02) 8770 - 6565
Website: http://www.westin.com.tw/01_text.asp?sn=52

I went to Yi Yuan under the impression that we'd be ordering the duck... but nope, never happened.

Menu 

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Combination of Two Appetizers: Shredded Chinese Cabbage & Marinated Chilled Salty Chicken (雙拼拼盤: 鄉野素還真 & 鹽焗雞隻白玉腿) $620 NT

Combination of Two Appetizers: Shredded Chinese Cabbage & Marinated Chilled Salty Chicken

The shredded Chinese Cabbage wasn't all that great but the chicken was pretty good.

Deep-Fried Pork Chop with Salt and Pepper (椒鹽排骨) $520 NT

Deep-Fried Pork Chop with Salt and Pepper

I was actually quite disappointed with the dish. I felt like the pork chop was a little soggy, and the meat was too tough.

Stir Fried Cabbage and Pork with Spicy Seafood Sauce (京式變臉) $400 NT

Stir Fried Cabbage and Pork with Spicy Seafood Sauce 

I very much enjoyed the stir fried cabbage. I loved the spiciness of the dish and how the bacon adds that extra flavor to the cabbage.

Pan-Fried Scallion Pancake (香煎蔥油餅) $320 NT

Pan-Fried Scallion Pancake 

The scallion pancake wasn't the best I've had, but it was still pretty yummy. The pancake wasn't too dry the way other places usually mess it up.

Deep-Fried Sweet Potato with Cane Sugar (地瓜拔絲) $320 NT

Deep-Fried Sweet Potato with Cane Sugar in the making

The sweet potato is first caramelized....

Deep-Fried Sweet Potato with Cane Sugar in the making

Then the waitress uses the remaining melted sugar to make the stringy sugar by pulling the melted sugar back and forth.

Deep-Fried Sweet Potato with Cane Sugar

The result was quite impressive. Although the taste was there, I felt like the sweet potato should have been caramelized more since some pieces were crispy, while some were just soggy. The sweet potatoes were also a little too dry in the middle.

Yi Yuan isn't the first restaurant I would go to if I had the choice. I've had their duck a while ago, and I remember that it was cooked pretty nicely. However, this time without the duck, the selection of food just seemed so limited. The dishes we ordered today were literally the only ones that sounded decent, the rest... mehh.

My Humble House Restaurant [寒舍食譜] (Visit #3)

Visit: July 17, 2012
Address: 台北市信義區松仁路38號2F (Le Meridien)
Number: (02) 2321-1818
Website: http://www.lemeridien-taipei.com/#/cuisine/1

Menu

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiCrispy Barbecued Pork (脆皮叉燒) $480 NT DR.

Crispy Barbecued Pork (脆皮叉燒) $480 NT 

Crispy Barbecued Pork

I felt like the meat wasn't as soft as my previous visits there, but that didn't necessarily mean that it wasn't as good.

Black and White Wood Ear Fungus with Aged Vinegar (老陳醋黑白木耳) $150 NT

Black and White Wood Ear Fungus with Aged Vinegar 

Sauteed Asparagus with Lily Bulbs (蘆筍炒百合) $380 NT

Sauteed Asparagus with Lily Bulbs 

The dish really didn't make much of an impression.

Roasted Baby Duck (脆皮先知鴨) $1100 NT

Roasted Baby Duck

The duck was in a really dark corner...so sorry for the really bad quality.

Roasted Baby Duck Wrap

Yum~

Stir Fried Roasted Baby Duck 

Stir Fried Roasted Baby Duck

The dish was okay, but I definitely preferred the more traditional kind of stir fry with the dark sauce and all.

Roasted Baby Duck Soup

Roasted Duck Soup

I was really surprised with how nicely flavored the duck soup was though I wasn't such a huge fan of the actual meat inside the soup.

Suckling Pig (片皮乳豬) $800 NT

Suckling Pig

The suckling pig skin was so unbelievably crisp! It is now one of my favorite dishes at my humble house.

Stewed Vegetables Topped with Crab Sauce (蟹肉扒時疏) $420 NT

Stewed Vegetables Topped with Crab Sauce 

The crab meat sauce just kind of glides around the broccoli and gives it a very unique flavor.

Deep Fried Pork Ribs Fried with Chinkiang Vinegar (鎮江香醋骨) $460 NT

Deep Fried Pork Ribs Fried with Chinkiang Vinegar

I do have just one complaint for this yummy dish: the portion is tiny.

After so many visits to My Humble House within such a short span of time, I would still recommend it. The quality has proven to be consistent with each of my visits.