Fresh & Aged Italian Steakhouse

Address: 台北市內湖區民善街128號2F

Telephone: (02)2796-1566

Hours: 11:30-14:30; 17:30-21:30

What is simultaneously as gratifying and simplistic as a piece of perfectly cooked meat?  I've been through this, but it warrants repeating.  Steak somehow manages to go beyond appealing to our basic five senses, but reaches a plain where it causes a more visceral reaction in all of us meat lovers.  Like trained dogs we salivate and begin to ooh and aah as that slab of meat (in all of its medium rare glory) winds its way towards our dining plate.
How many of histories most important conversations have occurred across a dining table? How many of those very same conversations involved steak? I'm willing to bet a rather high percentage.  Of course, I have absolutely no evidence to back this up, but i'm playing with a gut feeling here, and really, it is my gut after all that has gathered us here on this page... so it's something I've learned to trust a long long time ago.

This is all to say that food plays an important role in our lives that goes beyond mere subsistence.  It is something we congregate over, it is something we look forward to, and it brings us (well, most of us) so much joy.  It's been a while since I've ran my fingers over a keyboard to tout the virtues of food... again, I thought it worth repeating.  It's what makes writing this blog so much fun.

With that out of the way, let us get to the point of the review, and that is the steak and accoutrements offered at Fresh & Aged Italian Steakhouse (located in Neihu).  
I'm slightly out of practice in writing reviews, and I'll freely admit to experiencing Fresh & Aged over two months ago now.  I still have a clear idea of what I felt at the time, but I plan on keeping this review to the nuts and bolts and give an attempt to be quick about my overall opinion about this particular establishment.

Fresh & Aged Italian Steakhouse is going to cost you a pretty penny.  But that is always okay as long as that one underlining question is answered... is it worth it?  Well, in this instance, I'll have to be wishy washy and give it a resounding... kind of?

The restaurant is a sight to behold and offers a brand spanking new modern atmosphere for its diners to drink in.  They have private booths (that will cost a little extra) and ample seating in the main dining hall as well.  Fresh & Aged offers a variety of non steak options on its menu (such as fish/pasta/soups.. etc.) in addition to an extensive salad/dessert bar buffet.

Liked the atmosphere, loved the salad bar.

Soups left a lot on the table.  Emphatic thumbs down.

For my money, the best part of the dining experience involved the salad bar/buffet.  For some reason, it always seems like this is the case for me.  These steakhouse/salad bar deals ends up with me eating copious amounts of food from the salad bar (while of course devouring the steak as well).  This maybe has something to do with my love for variety and eating my money's worth, but whatever the case, I found that the salad bar  at Fresh & Aged delivered the goods.

There was a good selection, and it was fresh and colorful.  The desserts were yummy, and I really had no complaints with what was offered in this area.  The best part? The salad bar is included in the dining experience at no additional charge.

As usual, this is the star and the main point of my review.  A steakhouse of course is selling its steaks, and in my opinion.. I've had better.  We ordered a t-bone and rib-eye to share among ourselves, and I thought all the steaks shared the same issue, a bit too chewy, some parts of the steak were burnt and overall, just an underwhelming experience.
But honestly, I'm only judging on what I expected.  If this was offered in a different type of establishment, I would have something different to say, but in this environment for this price tag (roughly 2000NT+ per person).. I found the quality to be lacking.

Some pasta and meat cut off the bone.

A few dessert options.

Fresh & Aged just went through a grand opening (re-opening?), so there is room for tweaks and such.  I have yet to experience the same level of Steak perfection here in Taiwan that I've found in the U.S.  It is true that I spend the bulk of my dining time enjoying the food and delicacies that Taiwan does oh so well, but that doesn't mean this area should be deficient.

There is also a grocery downstairs that is a part of the ownership group of the restaurant.  They offer a host of meat and seafood products for you to peruse at your own leisure.  

So let us sum this up quickly shall we? Did I enjoy my time at Fresh & Aged? Yes, yes I did.  But it also left me feeling like something was missing.  The price tag was handled by my ever loving sister and aunt, so perhaps the disappointment was mitigated someway by this.  But whatever the reason, I am willing to give Fresh & Aged another go if the opportunity arises.  After all, bad or mediocre steak is still steak after all.

Overall Fresh & Aged Italian Steakhouse Receives:

-Til Next Time-

Speaks to life in general.. kinda.  Trying to be philosophical and failing probably.

Looking good.

MEAT! All you can buy and more.

Quick Hits - L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro 風流小館

Address: No. 5, Lane 164, Jinhua St. Taipei Taiwan.  台北市大安區金華街164巷5號

Telephone: (02) 3343-3937

Hours: 11:30AM-9PM (2PM-5PM is crepes only)

This was one of those instances where being full or hungry had little to do with our plans.  We were coming here, the size of our lunch be damned.  The original plan was to attack L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro for our entire afternoon meal, but things sometimes never work out the way you want them too.

So instead of taking in everything L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro had to offer, the sister and I settled for some crepes and to just take in the general atmosphere of this newly opened restaurant.

Just. Coffee. Pretty.

Let us first start off with the decor.  It is simple yet substantial and speaks volumes without saying a lot.  My favorite combination.  The interior somewhat mirrors what the chef is trying to do with her food in a lot of respects.  Stay simple yet really really pack a powerful punch.

Head Chef Dana Yu has created a name for herself through her work at notable establishments such as L'Atelier Joel Robuchon and Justin's Signatures.  With her training at the highest levels of French cuisine, Chef Yu has a strong desire to create something epicurically awesome (I just made that term up), but doing so without too much complication (at least this is what I read...).
This is another entry into the crowded market of cafes/bistros that are sprouting up throughout the city, but I dare say L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro if it doesn't offer up something different, then at the very least it brings class and elegance to the field.

Banana and Chocolate Crepe.  Light, airy, fluffy and not too heavy.  How a crepe is suppose to be I think, but I have the admit, I enjoy the crispy versions that can be found in night markets and shopping centers throughout the city as well.

There are a la carte options available on the dining menu, but from what I heard, it appears that the set meal for 2200NT is the ONLY way to go if you bother to come here.  The menu changes weekly based on the ingredients in the market, so one doesn't have to worry about coming here and experiencing the same standard fare over and over.

Lunch is between 11:30AM and 2PM, while only crepes and some select items are served between 2PM and 5PM, while 5PM til closing is of course dinner service.

Look I know this review will have to be fleshed out.  Only the bones exists for now, the meat will have to wait. But i'm highly anticipating my opportunity to experience L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro in all its glory.  For now, the crepes are delicate and I'm sure stay true to their French origins.  It's located in the ever Popular 永康街 (Yong Kang Street), where some of my favorite food can be found.  

If this is a test run, then L'Air Cafe Neo Bistro 風流小館 is sitting pretty with wonderful pole position.  

-Til Next Time-

18 Cafe

Address: No.55, Sec.1, Anhe Road, Daan District, Taipei Taiwan.  安和路一段55號一樓

Telephone: (02)2775-5530

Hours: 11:30AM - 12:00AM daily.

For years now, Room 18 has been one of the preeminent clubs on the Taiwan night scene.  For some reason, knowing that 18 Cafe is opened by the same owner threw my mind into a weird place.  I suppose one doesn't associate clubbing with a classy cafe and elegant dining, but once I got my easily distracted mind to stop thinking of such trivial things, I was ready to settle down for a meal.

I'm sure there are similar components in operating a successful night club and a top notch restaurant, because after all, they both do fall under the umbrella of the service industry.  The business acumen of the owner seems to have transferred well, since I've mostly heard only positives in regards to the cafe.  My buddy and I came here somewhat on a lark, as we were wandering the streets trying to figure out where to stop and take in lunch.

For my money, we made a good random choice in stepping into the elegant interior of 18 Cafe.

I don't want to say that Taiwanese people aren't original... but... it seems like anyone with half a thought in their head and half a dollar in their wallet, opts to open a cafe these days.  I'm certain that 10 years ago, there existed almost no such places in Taiwan's culinary landscape.  Now? They are nearly as ubiquitous as the convenient stores that we are so fond of here.

Black Tea Set

With so many places offering overlapping experiences, it is in the hands of each proprietor to give the customers something that's different.  If they can't, there exists little incentive to give the extra effort to patron your establishment instead of the multitude that I'm sure is just a brisk walk from most people's doorstep.

With all of that said, I believe 18 Cafe does a good job of distinguishing itself and does so in some subtle and not so subtle ways.

 Egg Tofu Salad with Sesame Dressing. (150NT)

Dessert Options.... duh.

For being so brand spanking new (opened in July of this year), 18 Cafe has quickly distinguished itself.  I believe the three main reasons (although there are others) is because of the fact that indeed 18 Cafe is opened by the same owner as some of Taiwan's top night life destinations.  The owner is somewhat of a mid level celebrity here in Taiwan, and that in of itself brings a certain level of notoriety.  But in the end, it doesn't matter who the name attached to the restaurant is if the quality is lacking.

That brings us to points two and three: The food is not lacking, and is done with a certain finesse and class that really surprised me. And thirdly, they have a signature dish in their award winning beef noodle soup (a Taiwanese classic if there ever was one).

The Award Winning Beef Noodle Soup from 18 Cafe (bested 200 competitors). Flavors were good, a bit on the sweet side, but that is to my personal preferences.  

I would say a good half of the restaurant had one of these green bowls in front of them.  For just 250NT you too can have your head crammed into one of these creations.  To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of beef noodle soup, but I know a good one when I taste it.  

I was a big fan of the broad noodles and their chewiness was very much to my liking.  The soup was flavorful without being overpowering and had that little extra spice to give it that much needed kick.  Although I found the dish to be very good.. is it the best version of this dish I have ever had?  That would probably be a no, but I would be hard pressed to exactly nail down the location of the best.

All told however, 18 Cafe's beef noodle soup is worthy of being a signature dish.  Without question the notoriety of its owner and food has really given this place solid footing in the crowded market for this type of cuisine.

 Seared tuna with black olive puree.  (250NT)

 Crispy soft-shelled crab spring roll. (180NT)

The food here deviates slightly from what you find at most diners and cafes in Taiwan.  Instead of the customary breakfast/burger/sandwich options, 18 Cafe brings a more sophisticated take on what a cafe can deliver.  Although the menu isn't extensive, the dishes we tried were all presented nicely and tasted very fresh.  The portions are not large and the price range is adequate, but there is enough diversity on the menu for most people to find something that they will find to their liking.

Tender chicken wrapped with cream cheese in brandy sauce.  Very juicy chicken and the mashed potatoes were fantastic. 

 I really enjoyed the decor and atmosphere at 18 Cafe, and really the best way I can explain it is that it was... substantial.  What I mean by that is that you can tell resources were spent into designing and laying out the space that this cafe occupies.  A brightly lit area that strays from the rustic feel that many cafes try to capture and instead goes for a modern feel that is heavy in vibrant colors.

The good looking waitstaff were ever helpful, and an army of them are patrolling around to make sure your needs are tended to.  

Chocolate brandy cake and fruit mille-feuille. Both really good.  Loved the texture of the chocolate cake.. simple yet magnificent.

Because of our own indecisiveness, we stumbled upon 18 Cafe.  I'll chalk it up to a fortunate accident, and I'm glad I got to judge this new entry into the Taiwan dining forum.  There is room for improvement of course, as any new establishment will have its fair share of growing pains.

The waitstaff, although friendly, is still green and gave us some faulty information about the menu a few times.  I'm certain the menu is still being tweaked and added to, and the speed of some of the food took too long to be delivered with no explanation as to the long wait.

With that said though, behind the strength of their beef noodle soup, sophisticated design and food, I can declare the cafe not only a winner in an award for their signature dish, but almost a certain sure fire winner of patrons wallets in the years to come.

Overall 18 Cafe receives: 

-Til Next Time-