Mexican dinner with a panda

Tonight was a unprecedented evening for this blog. It's the first time I got to meet one of my blog readers, in person, for the first time. Is she some creepy weird psychopath that i'll regret meeting? haha, No. She turned out just fine. She is cheerful, an ease to be around with, sociable and eager to be here in Taiwan to learn Chinese. Although I'm sure my blog had a very minor influence, it makes me proud I started something of value and where I have opportunities to meet some genuinely good people as a bonus. This blog started out only as my personnel online journal of my stay here in Taiwan. But then my stay, originally expected to only be temporary, has turned into a much longer if not permanent stay. And my blog has changed from a private log to a food blog to a blog that a few strangers follow along with on my adventures here in Taiwan. Hopefully I can meet some you that are reading this or at the very least, the information I post will be of help to you. So I dedicate this entry to "panda" (i'm not sure if she wants to be mentioned by her real name). Thank you!

I'll try to keep it short and simple for tonight's epicurean adventure. I went with "panda" and my girlfriend to Eddy's Cantina. This is also another mexican restaurant that I've been wishing to try out ever since I saw their business card on the bulletin board at my gym. It's in Tianmu near the Taipei American School. Story goes, Eddy is Mexican by ethnicity and Canadian by birth, then later moved to Taiwan. He decided to open a Mexican cantina in two locations: Tianmu and DanShui, using the recipes passed down to him from his family. The food turned out to be OK. But it's partially my fault for ordering a burrito, which is about as mexican as Jay Leno. What can I say, I'm from California and I love me some burritos. My burrito was typical tasting. The skin was warm, powdered with dough to give it that made at home texture. But it ended up being too thin and broke up easily spilling out my burrito contents. I ended up resorting to a fork and knife. Macho Tacos still prefered on this one. On the other hand, Yuki ordered the tacos and she said they were pretty damn good. "Panda" said her's was pretty good too, and the spicy salsa is spicy haha. I'd be willing to have a second go at this place since it's so close by my home. Damage to the wallet is around $200+, thus not considered a cheap eat, but a moderate infliction.

Eddy's Cantina Tianmu
台北市士林區中山北路六段450巷3弄1號
02-2873-7612
http://www.eddyscantina.com‎

Eddy's Cantina DanShui
新北市淡水區中山路151號之1
02-2628-2638

Big Tom's ice cream

Tonight was the first time I got to try out Big Tom's ice cream. They have several locations across Taipei as well as across Taiwan. I happened to be in Danshui location. Which by the way, has a great view over the water. Originally I thought it was a Taiwanese company, but a quick wiki search brings up that it's an american ice cream company with stores only in Taiwan. Taste-wize, pretty good. Thick and rich, however it had a gummy composition, like stretching bubble gum (or turkish ice cream for those that know it). Pricing was OK, $150NT+. Flavors are unique and plentiful. I had the Obama double chocolate (i think thats the name). Big Tom claims it to be all natural ingredients and it tastes much lighter than their competition Haagen Daz, Cold Stone, Movenpick. However I still prefer a sweeter, more intense and heavier Cold Stone. But I can see this as a good lighter cheaper alternative. The atmosphere is more comfortable and family like with their cow and american decor. According to their website, all they're stores feature free Wifi too, but I haven't had a chance to test that out. Taipei definitely has several ice cream choices and Big Tom sets itself apart form the bigger names with a lighter, friendlier scheme. I'd come back and maybe try out their Kahlua or Blue ginger or Rose ice cream.

BIG TOM ICE CREAM
Danshui
233-2, Jhongjheng Road, 2 floor

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
No.505, Sec. 4, Ren-ai Rd.

Tien Mu
No.1, Lane 63, Sec. 7, Jhongshan N. Rd.

Songshan
No.219, Sec. 2, Chang-an E. Rd.

Taipei 101 observatory deck

A-Gei (阿給)

A-Gei are deep fried tofu that have been stuff with flavoured crystal noodles and sealed with fish paste. This is what my parent's friends brought back to me from Danshui where they lived. They had to deliver some thing for me, so in addition, they also introduced me to this new dish that I have never tried before. Thank you! No meat products in this little dish, but it's tasty in it's own way. It has a very traditional flavor and off the typical westernized fare I usually try. They said it comes with two sauces, spicy and sweet, but suggested the spicy as it was more flavorful. I'm not one to shy away from the chili. Besides, it only had a kick, not really something i'd consider setting your mouth on fire. A-gei is one of Danshui's staple foods and you can find several A-Gei restaurants scattered about the old street there. The famous one is up at the end of a steep narrow street. If your there, try some. It's just tofu, clear noodles and spicy sauce...no funky seafood or animal parts. Foreigner safe, haha!

Edit: I've revisited Danshui old street since then and saw a few A-Gei shops offering additional flavors, up to 8. One of them was curry flavored. So there's definitely more options. I'll have to try that curry next time.

Bali, Taiwan

Yuki and I have heard about Bali for a long time. It's a small little paradise close to Taipei city, across the river from Danshui. Similar to Bali, Indonesia in atmosphere, which makes it a very popular spot for the Taiwanese. It's very convenient to get to, via MRT and a ferry across the river. Despite this, it took us a while to find the time to get there. So today, in the afternoon we headed over to Danshui and quickly onto the ferry. Once in Bali, you notice a huge difference in atmosphere and you really feel like you've just been whisked away to Indonesia. With palms trees, bicycles, beaches, boardwalks, street food, music, celebrations and rows of sea side restaurants with a view. We immediately went to the generous City funded bike rental. Still about $30NT per person per hour. We rode through town all the way to the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (十三行博物館). It's far away from the main street of Bali, but Yuki is a fan of architecture and interior design, so i'd thought it be of interest. It's a very unique building, in addition, the museum inside is all free of cost. It's small though, it only took us 30 minutes to walk through. It also has a nice grand deck outside facing the river where Yuki and I enjoyed the sun set. The bike rental closes at 7:30pm so we had to ride back to town to return them and find some dinner in Bali. Walking along Renai street (仁愛路) there are several nice cafe's and restaurants to choose from. First was Island (小島泰式料理) a Thai restaurant with a cool bahama design to the patio and interior. Next was Skiff (小艇) a small two story greek looking atmosphere with a tropical patio and roof top tables. Finally was Badasan (芭達叅原住民主題餐廳) a two story elaborately decorated Taiwanese aborigine themed restaurant. They had loud music and it was packed full of customers. Definitely one of the more popular spots. Seems the average cost of most of the restaurants are around $300-400/person. There are a lot more restaurants we failed to explore, so don't think there's only three to choose from. So in the end, we chose the Thai restaurant...Island. We had Pad Thai, grilled chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves and a bottle of Singha (Thai beer). The chicken was the best. Smokey and slightly crispy. With the great food, bahama atmosphere and beer, it was a very relaxing escape from the bustling city of Taipei. I love Taiwan, it has soo much to offer. Further more, I hear there's even Green Island (錄島) and Orchid Island (蘭嶼), which is even more of a tropical paradise similar to Hawaii but without the higher cost. I'll have to visit those in the future :). I have pictures from my film camera but it'll take a while before they're developed.

Badasan (芭達叅)

Island restaurant (小島)

Tamsui Old Street, Danshui

Tonight, I went with my friends visiting from California to Danshui. At first I assumed I have not gone there before, but once I arrived I instantly recognize it from my 2006 visit to Taipei. However in 2006, I visited it with my parents and it was during a summer day. Visiting it during the winter on a weekday evening is a far different experience. It's less crowded and the view at night is spectacular. Danshui really lights up! They place different color lightbulbs in the trees, so the scenery is really multicolor. The addition to the partially foggy backdrop of the dramatic sky, mountains and sea really paints a surreal scene. Walking around and seeing many couples sitting down enjoying the scenery or "each other", makes me think Danshui may be Taipei's romantic getaway spot. After walking around the market, we decided to have dinner at Waterfront. It's a beautiful open air restaurant with open air huts on the seaside. Continuing with the colorful palate of Danshui they had various colored lights illuminating the chairs, ceilings, waterfalls, pathways and trees. Along with the live music and gentle breeze, was the aroma of my dinner coming.I ordered braised pork knuckle on sauerkraut. The skin was crispy and the meat was fall-off-the-bone juicy, smokey and flavorful. The meal also includes a drink (Café au lait 咖啡歐樂 for me) and a dessert cake. All this for $700. Expensive, but not really that bad for what your getting. I would highly recommend Danshui since it's only a MRT ride away and it's 1 minute walking distance from the MRT station. You have no excuse to not visit this colorfully illuminating place!

Photos by Jeff Parker