Saveurs [歐洲風味餐坊]

Visit: August 7, 2012
Address: 台北市大安區復興南路一段219巷14號
Number: (02) 2751 - 0185
Website: http://www.saveurstw.blogspot.tw/

Thanks to hungry girl, ever since I saw her post on Saveurs, I've been wanting to go. Finally after two tries, I got reservations for lunch. If you want to come here, you might want to make reservations earlier.

Soup - Vegetable Soup (湯 - 蔬菜湯)

Vegetable Soup

Appetizer - Shrimp Pudding (前菜 - 蝦布丁)

Shrimp Pudding

I've never had a shrimp pudding before, but hey, it was pretty good.

Appetizer - Salmon Salad (前菜 - 鮭魚沙拉)

Salmon Salad

The salmon seemed fresh enough.

Main - Steak (主菜 - 沙朗牛排)

Steak

The sirloin was very good for its price, but whether it's the best steak I've had? Not really. The potatoes were also very yummy.

Main - Souris (主菜 - 燉羊膝)

Souris

The souris was without a doubt just awesome. The meat was really really soft and it was stewed so that all the nice juices were still trapped inside the meat.

Dessert - Baked Egg White (甜點 - 烤蛋白)

Baked Egg White

The baked egg white reminded me very much of a souffle. Although the cake itself was a bit dry, with the vanilla sauce, the dessert struck a really nice balance.

Dessert - Molten Chocolate Cake (甜點 - 熔岩巧克力蛋) 

Molten Chocolate Cake

 When I saw the cake I was just SO EXCITED. but..

Inside of the molten chocolate cake

the insides were just disappointing. The middle was barely warm and let alone molten at all.

I would definitely recommend Saveurs. The food is on average very good, and the price extremely affordable. Although the service was a little off and the atmosphere a bit cramped, the food made up for it all.

T.G.I. Friday's [台北星期五餐廳]

Visit: August 6, 2012
Address: 台北市敦化北路150號
Number: (02) 2713 - 3579
Website: http://www.tgifridays.com.tw/AIU/include/main.php?Page=0

Menu is provided on its official website.


Three Chili Calamari (義式蒜辣小管圈) 260 NT

Three Chili Calamari

DEFINITELY enough chili and jalapeno for me to enjoy!

Shrimp Cobb Chop Chop Salad (好萊塢明星鮮蝦沙拉) $420 NT

Shrimp Cobb Chop Chop Salad

It might be a bit odd, but we ordered the cobb salad wthout the shrimp. I don't know about you, but when I ordered the salad, I was expecting a humongous portion like what I get at Gordon Biersch. The size of this was just pathetic.

Ultimate Margarita (瑪格麗特極品)  NT$290 

Ultimate Margarita

Friday's doesn't advertise its margarita for no reason :)

I would recommend Friday's for a night out of American. The chain may not wow you, but its quality is pretty consistent all around Taipei.

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

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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.

Just in Bistro

Visit: August 3, 2012
Address: 台北市信義區松壽路30號 (Neo 19)
Number: (02) 8786 - 2000
Website: http://justinquek.com/jbwb.html

I've actually been to Just in Bistro before, but it was quite a disappointment. This time around, I was hoping that it would redeem itself.

Menu

Just in Bistro Business Lunch Menu

Beetroot and Orange Salad with Balsamic Dressing (甜菜根、柳橙沙拉佐巴薩米克醬汁)

Beetroot and Orange Salad with Balsamic Dressing

The balsamic vinegar dressing was pretty refreshing.

Grilled Squid Salad with Lima Bean ,Lemon and Anchovy Dressing (炭烤花枝沙拉搭配白腰豆佐檸檬鯷魚醬汁)

Grilled Squid Salad with Lima Bean ,Lemon and Anchovy Dressing 

Roasted Duck Breast with Figs and Sauternes Sauce (炙烤宜蘭豪野鴨胸佐無花果葡萄乾醬汁)

Roasted Duck Breast with Figs and Sauternes Sauce

Although the sauce was decent, the duck breast was so tough! The pinkness of the meat promised such a delicious main course, but it was like chewing duck jerky or something.

Casareccia Pasta with Bacon, Mushroom and Basil Tomato Sauce (綜合有機菇培根辮子麵佐番茄羅勒醬汁)

Casareccia Pasta with Bacon, Mushroom and Basil Tomato Sauce 

Baked Vanilla Cheese Cake with Mango Foam and Sorbet (烤起司蛋糕搭配水果冰沙佐芒果泡沫)

Baked Vanilla Cheese Cake with Mango Foam and Sorbet

The cheesecake was pretty good, though the crust wasn't as crumbly as I would've liked it to be.

Dessert du Jour - Warm Valrhona Bitter Dark Chocolate Cake with Homemade Ice Cream (今日甜點 - 溫法芙娜巧克力蛋糕與自創冰淇淋)

Dessert du Jour - Warm Valrhona Bitter Dark Chocolate Cake with Homemade Ice Cream

The chocolate cake is actually a molten chocolate cake. It's one of the better ones I've had so far. Because of the dark chocolate factor, the sweetness and molteness of the cake isn't overwhelming.

"Le Creuset" Skillets Souffle : Seasonal Fresh Fruit Compote and Apricot Cream ("Le Creuset" 煎烤季節水果舒芙蕾佐杏桃奶霜) $ 480 NT

"Le Creuset" Skillets Souffle : Seasonal Fresh Fruit Compote and Apricot Cream 

I remember the last time I was here, I couldn't keep my eyes off of the huge souffle lying on the table top next to ours. Even though neither my date nor I were hungry, I was determined to order the big big souffle. The size was very impressive, but the souffle wasn't moist enough and tasted pretty average. Joyce East's souffle is definitely still my favorite.

Once again, Just in Bistro failed to impress me. Other than the failed duck breast, the food here seems average and although I wouldn't rush back here again, I guess it's not a restaurant I would actively avoid either.

California Pizza Kitchen [加州創意廚房]

Visit: July 20, 2012
Address: 台北市松壽路20號2F (Vieshow)
Number: (02) 2722-8383
Website: http://www.facebook.com/CPKTaiwan.fan

You know when cpk first came to town it was all everyone could talk about? I know I'm a few months late, but I finally went to try the "new" cpk in Taiwan.

 Menu

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


California Club Pizza (加州總會比薩) $320 NT

California Club Pizza

I want a huge fan of the California club pizza...but it was simply personal preference.

Sicilian Pizza (西西里風味比薩) $480 NT

Sicilian Pizza

The pizza was just a bit bare compared to the descriptions.

Milan Pizza (米蘭比薩) $420 NT

Milan Pizza

The picture in the menu was quite promising in terms of the asking of toppings on the pizza, but reality sucks haha.


When I first had cpk in the states, I wasn't quite sure what the craze was about, and honestly, I still don't know. I'm very neutral about CPK, so I guess I'd recommend it?

Vegas Vegas Bar & Restaurant [維加斯美國風創意餐廳]

Visit: July 19, 2012
Address: 台北市中山區南京東路一段19號
Number: (02) 2541 - 6788
Website: http://vegas.smartweb.tw/

I was feeling lazy and I really didn't want to travel too far, so I decided to try a restaurant I've absolutely never heard of before, and chose it just because I wanted some salad.

Menu

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Caesar Salad (凱撒沙拉) $200 NT

Caesar Salad

Grilled Rib Eye Steak (碳烤肋眼牛排) $690 NT

Grilled Rib Eye Steak

I wouldn't say that the steak was bad, but it definitely tasted pretty cheap. Although the steak was a bit overcooked, the meat wasn't too tough to chew on.

American Sweet Heart (香草美國甜心奶酪) $60 NT

American Sweet Heart

I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive when my dinner date wanted to order this custard. I was leaning towards the brownie or the caramel...basically anything but this. But... as fate will have it, the portions of the other desserts were all too big. When I tasted the custard though, wow, it was pretty damn good. The custard was rich enough and the coco flakes on top brought me back to my childhood.

This isn't a bad restaurant to be at if you want some chill American-like but not authentic food.

Danieli's [丹耶澧義大利餐廳] (Visit #2)

Visit: July 13, 2012
Address: 台北市南京東路三段133號1F (Westin Hotel)
Number:(02) 8770-6565
Website: http://www.westin.com.tw/01_text.asp?sn=26

Menu

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Complimentary Bread

Complimentary Bread

I couldn't get enough of the baked garlic, so the waitress kindly brought me more.

Boston Lobster Salad with Cherry Tomato and Sliced Orange (波士頓龍蝦沙拉襯香橙鮮番茄) $980 NT

Boston Lobster Salad with Cherry Tomato and Sliced Orange

Just a small lobster and a few pieces of salad for 980? Probably not something I would order again.

Baby Spinach Salad with Shaved Pecorino Cheese, Toasted Almond and Balsamic Vinaigrette (杏片乳酪菠菜沙拉佐葡萄酒醋汁) $620 NT

Baby Spinach Salad with Shaved Pecorino Cheese, Toasted Almond and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Once again a little overpriced, though the salad was quite enjoyable.

Shrimp, Squid, Scallop, Clam and Baby Octopus Pizza (蒜味什錦海鮮披薩) $650 NT

Shrimp, Squid, Scallop, Clam and Baby Octopus Pizza

There were so many different types of seafood on the pizza, and it was actually quite yummy. The seafood was fresh and the pizza was good though the crust wasn't as good as I expected it to be.

Pan Fried Grouper Fillet with Duck Liver, Sauteed Spinach, Oregano Potato and Virgin Olive Oil (嫩煎鴨肝石斑魚佐蒜香菠菜) $980 NT

Pan Fried Grouper Fillet with Duck Liver, Sauteed Spinach, Oregano Potato and Virgin Olive Oil 

The grouper was okay but the duck liver was not. The pieces of unevenly distributed fat was nor pleasant, and the liver was also not seared as nicely as that of Ruth's Chris.

Pan Fried Lamb Chops Served with Peperonata, Crushed Potato and  Black Truffle Sauce (香煎羊排襯炒洋芋及燉番茄蔬菜佐松露油) $880 NT

Pan Fried Lamb Chops Served with Peperonata, Crushed Potato and  Black Truffle Sauce

The lamb was actually quite good without the disgusting lamb taste.

Chef Signature Dessert - Tiramisu, Warm Chocolate Fondant, Apple Pie, Creme Brulee (主廚精選義式綜合甜點) $480 NT

Chef Signature Dessert - Tiramisu, Warm Chocolate Fondant, Apple Pie, Creme Brulee

The tiramisu impressed me the most. The cream on top wasn't the usual disgusting oily thing. The molten chocolate cake could've been more molten and the creme brulee didn't have the caramelized top so it might as well be called custard. Apple pie was quite delightful.

Gianduia Semifreddo with Kalu Sauce, Crispy Coffee Biscuits (榛果占督亞巧克力佐咖啡香甜酒醬襯酥脆咖啡餅) $320 NT

Gianduia Semifreddo with Kalu Sauce, Crispy Coffee Biscuits 

Ya I know, I'm a bit of a fatty for ordering another dessert. The dessert was basically a sponge cake on the bottom with cream in the middle. It was quite yummy.

My second visit to Danieli's was didn't really change my opinion of the restaurant. The food, service, and atmosphere are all good, but the price is just too high for the quality of foods offered. I would recommend the restaurant, but maybe as a second choice.