Coffee Alley (咖啡弄)

Location:
忠孝店 | (02) 2711-1912｜台北市忠孝東路四段101巷45號
士林店 | (02) 2888-3322｜台北市士林區中正路253號二樓
敦化店 |(02) 2711-1910｜台北市敦化南路一段187巷42號
站前店 | (02) 2388-3000｜台北市中正區館前路18號二樓

Coffee Alley is the a cozy modern coffee place that is great for business meetings, girl's get together, afternoon reminiscing about the past... it's just great. 
It is recommended to make reservations, but sometimes going to the place and lining-up could be faster on week days. The place also has a minimum purchase of one drink per person. They have a variety from cold drip coffee, coffee (hot and cold), tea (milk teas, matcha tea), and frappe (or known in Taiwan as 冰沙). 

They have various kinds of sandwich from BBQ Pork, Mustard Bacon Cheese, club and so on. My personal favorite is the  Club sandwich. The meat is juicy with a hint of sweetness. Try by putting some Doritos inside the sandwich and you'll get an extra crunchy cheesy taste. You have got to try it! The Mustard Bacon instead comes with the egg salad, which is equally good as the Club with Doritos

Another must try in Coffee Alley is their Waffles, which also come in different flavors from sweet to salty. I especially recommend the newest flavor: Salty Caramel & Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle, it's to crave for !!! the original flavor at only 100NT is perfect for those who don't want ice cream with their waffled and like it with a dolce honey flavor~

The waffles in Coffee Alley are really good! With a slightly harden outer layer in combination with the soft and compact inside, the texture of the waffle allows it to be chewy and not too spongy. It is best eaten with all the condiments and while the waffle is still hot because the ice cream just sort of melts while you take an explosive bite of afternoon sweetness! 

Coffee Alley also serves ice creams, mille feuille, brownies and crepe, but they are still best known for their waffles. 

Brick's Burger (American Cuisine)

Location:  台北市漢口街2段53巷17號1樓 (in MRT 西門)

Telephone: 02-2388-6669

Wonder what a home-made burger in celebration for the Fourth of July tastes like? Well, I've found the place and its in this small burger store called Brick's. The place is styled in a very rock n'roll way fashion and the pricing is not high. 


Rochefort is always a must try on my listing, however, the blue cheese wasn't as good as I expected to be because it was not strong enough. 

The Chicken Burger, for those who do not eat beef, is delicious. The meat is tender and juicy that makes a perfect combination with the fresh lettuce leafs. 

Burgers range from 150NT to 250NT. Very affordable and they come with a salad or fries and a drink (refill-able or you can exchange it for one can of A&W, Dr Pepper, Mountain Dew etc..)  

The Jam or Bacon burger are only at 150NT. I highly recommend the burger with Jam, its really yummy...yummy enough for me to go there a second and third time! 

  

Cafe Cafe | The Diner (Brunch)

Location: 台北市基隆路一段147巷2號1樓 (near MRT Taipei City Hall Exit 1) 
Telephone: 02-2764-1680
Website: http://www.thediner.com.tw

Cafe Cafe or 樂子 in Chinese, is a small bar/restaurant/cafe. An excellent choice for brunch! It is highly recommended to make reservations before going. However, on weekends, instead of 2 hours, one is only allowed 1-hour and a half for the meal. So for those who are looking for a place to sit and relax, this is not it. 

When I went there, I tried the Mushroom Chicken Crepe (240NT). Unlike the Crepe that you find in ShiDa Night market, this is the French type of crepe, softer. However, I think that it was a little too thick and too soft. The chicken was a little bland, but after adding some salt, I found the taste to be great. I also really liked how their hash browns are home-made. 

I also had the opportunity to try the Greek Omelette (220NT), it was good, but not as good as i expected to be because i thought that it was going to melt the feta inside and have black olives with lots of tomatoes. Overall the taste was good, but i prefer the Crepe. 

The Eggs Benedict (230NT - 310NT)on the other hand, are in my opinion, better then NY Bagel's because of the sauce. It was much thicker, which is how the Hollandaise should be. 

At last I tried out a dessert crepe, the one with Banana, Pecans and a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream. I'd say that it makes a perfectly nice ending for a brunch, but the waffles at Coffee Alley definitely beats it!

The place also serves Sandwiches and Burgers, but for sandwiches, i would highly recommend Toasteria and for burges, Evans~

N.Y. Bagel (American Cuisine)

Location: 

- 台北市仁愛路四段147號 (24 Hours | Close to MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua)

- 台北市信義路五段 122 號 (24 Hours | Close to Taipei 101)

- 台北市內湖路一段306號 (Close to MRT XiHu)

- 台北市承德路一段1號1樓

- 台北縣板橋市 縣民大道二段7號2樓 (Close to Banqiao Station)

- 台北市110信義區忠孝東路5段8號2樓 (In Hankyu Mall MRT Taipei City Hall) 

Website: http://www.nybagelscafe.com

I recently went to eat NY Bagel. I have been talking about going to this place for quite a while. Not only because I've hear how good it is, but also because I happen to walk by it so many times and see so many people in line really made me wonder just 'how good is it?'


So I took a night off and decided to head there with some of my friends and try out the food! 
I must say that for a restaurant that is known for its bagels, its pasta was not bad at all. The Jambalaya sauce spaghetti was really good, but just careful because it was spicy as well so i really no not recommend it for those who cant afford a hot flare in their tongue! 


One of my friends tried the classic Eggs Benedict. I think it was good, but not to die for good because the Hollandaise sauce was too watery and it had no texture. 

The Grill Chicken Sandwich was good, but i would recommend the Smoked Salmon and Creme Cheese Sandwich.  

Sesame Village Cafe (Italian Cuisine)

Sesame Village Cafe or 芝麻站 is a little cafe in the middle of NTNU Night market 


Location: 台北市龍泉街74號
Telephone: 02-2363-8015  or  09883032

The place is rather small and not suitable for a big event of 10+ people because there is not 
much help in the kitchen. However, the food is worth the try. 

Actually we happen to eat here by coincidence. When we saw the Ink Squid Spaghetti with 
smoke salmon and caviar, we were hooked and we said that we must try this! It was 
something that we had to try. It is at 280NT and it comes with a soup or drink (tea or coffee). 

Another pasta that we tried was the Cold Spaghetti with Anchovies (230NT). I certainly am a lover of anchovies, but I also know very well that not many people in Taiwan don't like anchovies because of its strong salty taste. However, i found the pasta to be really refreshing, like a summer vacation in Greece (I guess only the Feta was missing :P). 

This other plate is known the restaurant's signature dish. I think its a dish that is full of flavors, but strong ones. It feels like a chinese chow mien, but made with spaghetti. 

The soups that came with the spaghetti are really good, especially the seafood one compared to 
the pumpkin soup. 

Overall, i think that its worth going back for the Ink Squid Spaghetti or the anchovies one, 

especially during a hot day. Nonetheless, i don't like the fact that the spaghetti is already 

cooked before hand. 

Lemon Grass (Opened 24 Hours)

Lemon Grass is a recently opened 24 hours tea house composed of two floors. Located just in front of Fu Jen Catholic University, it is impossible to miss! 


Location: 新北市新莊中正路571號 (輔仁大學大門前面) 
Telephone: 02-2903-5188

They serve a variety of foods from a small personal hot pot to tea-time snacks such as toasts. For their tea time, they have a special offer in which if you purchase a drink above 90NT, you get a free toast with any topping (chocolate, peanut butter, jam, coconut cream and butter). Also by eating a meal there, you can get your drink at a half price. 

Because its a newly opened place, its very clean and the food and drinks are not bad. If you're looking for a night to crash and study, then Lemon Grass is your choice and it is especially practical for people who study in Fu Jen University. 


The place also offers free wireless internet! 

Solo Pasta (Italian Cuisine)

Location: 106 Taiwan台北市大安區安和路一段29-1號 (near MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Exit 6)
Telephone: 02-2775-3645


Solo Pasta, meaning "only pasta" in Italian, is a restaurant that introduces the natural taste of Italian cuisine. Owned by two Taiwanese owners who have traveled to different regions of Italy to learn from the Italians themselves finally opened up a branch in Taipei City.


One really special dish found in the restaurant is the "spaghetti con salsa aceto balsamico e anatra" its smoked duck breast with a thick and creamy Balsamic vinegar at 260NT. The taste is mouth-watering and keeps you wanting to get a second taste of it. I recommend Italian food, especially spaghetti that have creamy sauces, to be accompanies with wine.

For desert, you must try the lemon tart. Although Tiramisu (literally means "pull me up") is the classical Italian desert, the lemon tart in Solo Pasta is absolutely delicious leaving you with a sweet and sour lemony aftertaste. Simply heavenly!

Frozen Yogurts (Dessert)

Looking for a sweet and guiltless indulgence? Then Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream is what you are looking for. Over the months, Taiwan has started a trend of Yogurt Ice Cream and most of them  are self-service stores. The bottom 4 are the ones that I most recommend: 


1) Yofroyo: co-owned by Allen and Austin, who both graduated in the University of California, had the idea of making a healthy and guiltless dessert and so it resulted with the establishment of Yofroyo (your frozen yogurt) that has a very positive review in Taiwan allowing them to open up in many locations. 


Locations:
- 台北市大安區師大路59巷9號1樓 (In ShiDa (NTNU) Night Market in front of Subway) 
- 台北市大安區敦化南路一段187巷39號1樓 (By MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua)
- 台北市大同區承德路一段1號B2 (京站時尚廣場) (Inside QSquare Mall MRT Taipei Main Station) 
- 台北市萬華區漢中街116號1樓 (誠品116) (Next to Watson's by MRT Ximen)


Website: http://www.yofroyo.com/


Despite a small price inflation since last year, Yofroyo is still the one getting my highest recommendation. 


2) Yogurt Art: self-service yogurt ice cream that allows you to choose your own topping and ice cream flavour! 


Locations:  
- 台北市忠孝東路4段216巷8弄14號 (MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Exit 3)
- 台北市新生南路3段96之5 (MRT Gong guan Exit 3)
- 台北縣中山路三段122號4F-409櫃


Website: http://www.yogurtart.com/


3) Hielo: Hielo literally means "ice" in Spanish. 

Locations:  

- 台北市忠孝東路4段124號1F (MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua) 

- 台北市松高路12號B2

- 台北縣板橋市縣民大道二段7號 (Inside Banqiao Global Mall MRT Banqiao)

Website:http://www.hielo.com.tw

4) TfYogurt: at the proce of 19NT/oz. is comes with a reusable spoon. I recently at this and i found the original yogurt flavour to be the best, followed by the blueberry one and then green tea. The tutti frutti was a little too sweet. 


Locations:
- 台北市大安區忠孝東路3段300號B3 (MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Exit 2)
- 台北市信義區松高路11號B2 (Inside Eslite Bookstore MRT City Hall Exit 2)
- 台北市中正區忠孝西路一段47號B1 (MRT Taipei Main Station Exit M4)
- 台中市西區公益路68號B1


Website: http://www.tfyogurt.tw/

Rabbit Rabbit (American Cuisine)

Location: 台北大安敦化南路一段160巷 32號(Close to MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua or Zhongxiao Fuxing)
Telephone: 02-8771-4073
Location 2: 台北市大安區大安路一段31巷31號
Telephone: 02-2778-3445
Location 3: Coming soon in by NTNU (師大)


Known for its Brunch and Burgers, Rabbit Rabbit is the perfect place to sit-in during a rainy day and enjoy a nice brunch for dinner. 

They serve their egg omelette with matcha toast and waffle fries. Accompanied with orange slices to freshen up your taste pallet.  

The burgers are good, but not the best. The bread is a little thicker than the normal burgers, so for those who have a small mouth, you might want to use your fork and knife! The set comes with a refill-able drink. 

The restaurant also sells other variety of food such a eggs benedict, pancakes, French toast, fajitas, chicken pesto cram burger and more. 

肥前屋 (Japanese Cuisine)

Location: 台北市中山區中山北路1段121巷13號之2一樓 (Close to MRT Zhong Shan Exit 3)
Telephone: 02-2561-7859


肥前屋 literally translated to "fat, front, house." This Japanese-style restaurant is known for its Eel Rice (鰻魚飯 or in Japanese Unajū). 

                   


The meal comes served in a really cute traditional Japanese bento plate. The eel is grilled and glazed with a sweetish sauce intensifying the flavors and making it strong enough to be combined with white rice.   

At an affordable price of 140NT each Unajū and they also come in larger portions at 240NT each. 

La Bettola (Italian Cuisine)

Location: 104 台北市大同區中山北路二段16巷21號1樓 (MRT Zhong Shan - Exit 2 behind the McDonalds near Melange Cafe)
Telephone: 02-2581-8653

Upon entering La Bettola, you feel like you've reached Italy's countryside and it is to no surprise that the restaurant adapted the name "La Bettola," that is a small commune in the Provience of Piacenza in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. 

For appetizers, you can try the Crostini Platter. Its made with French Baguette and there are 3 different toppings; mozarella fresca with a hint of olive oil, tomato with Chinese whitebait and tuna salad. The appetizers are only at 150NT à la carte, but only at 90NT if you order a lunch set (starting at 290NT depending on what you order as your main course).

One of my highly recommended plates is the Risotto with Balsamic Vinegar (230NT). The taste is exquisite and very uncommonly found in Taiwan. The rice is creamy and savory and with the clash of a soothing balsamic sourness. The rice also has a bit of toasted bread flavors infused (also sprinkled on top), making the taste extra-special. 

The only down side of the restaurant is that it takes them a long time to serve the food because everything is made to order. The restaurant also offers deserts (at about 100NT-150NT), which are hand-made just like the pastas. 

Recently, I went back to eat at La Bettola. This time I tried the Carpaccio and its exquisite. Different from the one at Grazie Cafe because it feels like it has been slightly smoked. Its chewy and not too soft for you to feel the "raw-ness" of the meat. It comes with some capres, onions, parmiggiano and olive oil. Another must try. I really highly recommend all kinds of risotto in the place!