Editor’s note: Hailing from London, Gareth the Globetrotting Gourmet is a technology marketing strategist who has worked in Dubai and Sao Paulo. Now that he is temporarily based in Taipei, he has decided to share with us his restaurant experiences. Be it good, excellent or “interesting.” 

Why :        Tuesday Dinner
Where :     Zhongshan District, Taipei
When :     17th March 2020 (sat down at 2030)

I think what the World needs now is a nice glass of wine and a sit down. So, as a friend had recently recommended a restaurant with a particularly suitable name I wasted little time in trying it out. After a swift 20 minute Uber journey – I arrive in the rather sterile and deserted Zhongshan District landing just outside the restaurant. From the exterior I note the “Wine Bar and Restaurant” description, looking straight in it is one half wine shop and the other half restaurant.

As I enter, I’m warmly welcomed in English, receive a quick alcohol spritz to the hands and ushered into the five table dining area. Two other tables are occupied, I’m guest number 9. I immediately notice a sweet, floral smell which I think is being piped in – unusual but nice. I sit down at a large table for 4, and receive an English menu. I’m not forecasting any problems here as the waiter engages me confidently in conversation and pours me a glass of still Evian into a Bristol Blue glass (fate ?)

Now I know what I want to order, and I’m expecting given the name and (French) reputation that I’ll be spoiled for choice. I’m after a steak, some potatoes (mash or Jacket, not chips), and decent vegetables to go with a “Glass of Red”. 

In the interests of balanced assessment and associated nosiness I’m having a good look around. Surprised to see a larger than expected number of sausage and sauerkraut dishes and quite a few appetising dishes which needed to be ordered in advance. There are only two steaks on the menu and in my book they are expensive or very expensive. 

I order a Caesar Salad (dressing on the side, naturally) and the expensive steak – cooked medium. I gently enquire what the steak comes with, as there’s no mention of it on the menu. I’m expecting a choice of potatoes, vegetables etc at this price. But the waiter looks at me and shrugs “nothing” he says. I don’t get surprised by much in restaurants, but this takes me aback and I actually think I’ve misheard him. So I check again. No, they don’t serve any vegetables with the food – not even chips. I’m genuinely stunned, he tells me I can have a small salad with it if I’d like. Lucky me.

I’m in no mood to double salad tonight, so I swiftly swap my Caesar for Cream of Porcini soup. I also say I’d like something to drink, as there’s no wine list. I’m asked would I like a bottle or a glass – and as a lightweight I obviously go for by the glass.  A minute or two later the waiter is back, and pouring me a “glass of red” into a very tall glass. Tells me he’s just opened a new bottle for me, a 2014 Crianza. Well that’s good I think, wondering* whether it’s a red I’d like or can afford. The wine is smooth and very nice – I’m immediately thinking “wow I wonder what this is going to cost”. But I put that to the back of my mind as I check out the other diners who I notice are all only drinking, I’m the only one eating. 

My soup turns up very quickly, and I’m looking for the bread in light of the potato problem. Waiter says he’ll bring me some. Soup looks and smells delicious but is a little thin. It’s an OK portion but I have finished it before the bread arrives. Turns out the three small slices of baguette have been warming in the oven. It’s nice with a little olive oil and balsamic, but would have been even better with my soup. The usual Taiwanese “not enough sauce” problem occurs with the bread so I save the final piece to go with my steak. 

I don’t have long to wait as my impressive looking main course arrives minutes later. In addition to the steak that has been sliced for me, there are a few fried garlic chips with pink peppercorns and a gravy-like jus. No salad, but I’m advised it’s coming. I can’t resist the look of the steak and it tastes delicious – I’d been considering becoming vegetarian earlier in the day. My salad does quickly arrive, a variety of green leaves with balsamic, nothing remarkable.  

When the waiter checks how I’m getting on, I tell him I’m enjoying it but that it could be improved with potatoes and / or vegetables. I push a little further and ask why this is the case. He tells me he doesn’t know and that it’s been like that since he’s worked there. A few minutes he comes back to say that it’s probably because the place is about wine first and the (expensive) food is secondary. Now I’ve been lucky enough to visit Grand Cru in Sao Paulo - a wine shop takes its food very seriously. Different city, very different philosophy. 
 
I’ve finished the steak and I’m still hungry. There’s only one dessert available, cheese cake. As it’s not chocolate-based I give it a go. Smallest pieces of cheese cake I’ve ever seen and I sigh internally. It’s nice enough, but I definitely feel like I’m lacking something. I ask for the bill; payment and receipt managed easily but at NT$2266 (£60.06) I’m feeling a little short changed – especially as I was charged for the bread. The wine to be fair was NT$280 (£7.68), which was affordable – I notice as I leave that the wine prices are the same whether you drink in the restaurant or buy it retail. That’s a nice touch. 

Would I recommend ?    No  – but worth going just for a drink

Will I return ?    Afraid not

*Restaurant staff choosing for me. I’m quite happy to go with recommendations. I believe in people doing their best and making recommendations for a positive reason. But with wine I’ve come a cropper previously and been embarrassed by a sommelier looking down his nose at me when my budget wasn’t to his liking. Even now, I still always check the price and find it impossible to justify prices well beyond my comfortable range. What’s your take ? Answers on a DM.

Have you read?
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♦ Jin Ji Yuan - Soup Dumpling Challenge
♦ Plants: First Vegan Experience

About Gareth the Globetrotting Gourmet:

Gareth is a British Marketing Professional who travels extensively for his work, having lived and worked across Europe, the Middle East, Brazil and now Taiwan. He “has" to eat three meals per day and loves telling stories about his experiences while doing so - occasionally he even mentions the food! Follow him on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garethabel