TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel)

Address: No.39, Alley 4, Lane 345, Sec. 4, Ren Ai Road, Taipei.  仁愛路4段345巷4弄39號

Telephone: 02-2752-1829

Hours: Tue-Fri: 11:00AM-9:00PM ; Sat-Sun 12:00PM-9:00PM

Website: http://www.facebook.com/TMPB39

As a child, I really don't remember ever hearing about, let alone tasting, a macaron.  Wasn't dessert comprised of cakes, pies, cookies and candy?  I'm certainly glad of new things in my life, but when did we become so inundated with options?
There are many new things that I could learn to live without, but I would definitely not put these colorful morsels anywhere near the top of the list.  Macarons, and establishments like TM Patisseries & Bistro in general, have carved out an interesting place in society for themselves.  Without question, these type of places are all over priced, but for some reason we keep getting sucked in because of our love for pretty things made out of sugar.
It really just goes with what I said in my previous posts about everything going towards what people are perceiving as fancy, but in reality it really is just a synonym with 'this is going to cost you a lot of money and you will still be hungry.' This really has nothing to do with TM Patisserie & Bistro per say, its just more of a thought about the growing list of these sorts of establishments both when dealing with desserts and all manners of food.

There really does seem to be an ever expanding list of these type of sleek, cool, and cute dessert places.  But another reality is that obviously there is a market for them if they can keep finding the patrons to not only stay open but thrive.  TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel) offers the customary assortment of brightly colored macarons.  My friend pointed out as we walked in that perhaps they were slightly TOO colorful, as if they came out of Willy Wonka's worst nightmare.  I thought that the coloring drew the eye, but I also believe that a point was made that they almost looked like they were dipped in florescent paint.  

It is a nice little space that will seat roughly 18-20 patrons.

 Nuclear Macarons.

Lunch Time specialty sets.

Let me be honest here, I have an uncontrollable sweet tooth.  There are those that walk the Earth that can abstain from sweets, but I'd like to think that those people are either short a few taste buds or really just robots sent to observe humanity.  So it is a little difficult for me to be critical of things when they are essentially sugar parading around in disguises.  

With that said however, you begin to notice the quality of things after a while.  You can like everything, but still be able to differentiate between what you liked more.  This is basically what I have been forced to learn to do, since I enjoy most things placed in front of my face.

TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel)'s macarons are something that I perfectly enjoyed and would eat non stop, but through sheer endless gluttony, I realized that there are better options out there for this delectable treat.

The look of the macarons we have already covered, but I found them to be too dense and slightly on the hard side of the spectrum.  Whether this was by design or having been kept in the cooler for too long I don't know, but it was an issue when it came to consumption.  

A gripe of my friend's was that the macarons were dense in the spots that were suppose to be airy, and airy in the spots that were meant to be dense.  While I didn't find this an issue at all, perhaps for the macaron connoisseur, It is really something worth griping about.

Still, I would pop these like a sleeve of oreos all day every day if given the option.  Its just that I've had better, and when it comes to the good things in life, its all a matter of degrees.

 Part of the lunch set.  Three macarons, a dessert option, panna cotta and a drink for 360NT.

I found the other desserts to be much more enjoyable.  The lemon tart (120NT) was well.....lemony and tarty. It wasn't overly sweet, and the crust was well done and I found it to be understated in its flavor yet very enjoyable.  The chocolate cake and other desserts were really all very well done.  Like the lemon tart, they were not overly sweet and cloying like how some desserts can be after a few bites.  

TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel) also offers a few savory dishes that you can order to give your taste buds a little reprieve from all the sweetness.  They range from 290NT to 880NT for the Prime Angus Tenderloin Steak.  

 Pan Crisped Chicken Pasta (380NT)

As I looked at the prices for the savory dishes, I realized that they were of course on the pricey side, but that's okay as long as the portion is acceptable and the flavors were good.  On this trip I only gave the Chicken Pasta a go.  I thought it was very lovely to look at, and the colors of the pasta and the chicken really made it very appetizing based on appearance alone.  After tasting it, I found the dish to be slightly over seasoned and a bit too salty.  I thought the chicken and the pasta were both made really well, but the issue was in the seasoning of the entree.  

It is a very small kitchen so the food takes a while to prepare, so be aware of that before you decide to give everything a try on the menu.  TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel) also of course comes equipped with all manners of libations, both alcoholic and not.  

I feel like these sorts of bistro/dessert places are judged a lot based on their macarons.  It's invariably what people bring up first, and really helps get people through the doors.  But of course there is much more to making a fantastic patisserie.  

While TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel) might come up just a bit short in their execution of their macarons (at least on this day), the other treats were exactly that, a treat to eat and take in visually.  Judging the savory dishes on one solitary item might not be fair (although there were only 7 options), but I'll go out and say that its more than likely that the other dishes will be well prepared albeit definitely lacking in the important price to quantity ratio.

Without a doubt TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel)'s is a charming little spot to get together with a few friends and have a few treats, but there are definitely better options out there when it comes to the space and the food.  

Overall TM Patisserie & Bistro (Tim & Mel) Receives:

-Til Next Time-

樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen

Address: (Store Visited) No.10, Lane.83, Sec.1, Daan Rd, Daan District. Taipei 台北市大安路一段83巷 10號

Telephone: (02)8772-8159

Hours: 11:30AM-10:00PM daily. (arrive before 9:40 for last orders)

When I think of ramen, my mind usually turns to a boiling pot of reddish liquid that someone is gingerly stirring as the rest of us somehow try to manage our drunkenness.  Maybe ramen was never intended to be consumed as such, but that's what top ramen and cup o' noodles have done to the reputation of ramen across college campuses throughout the world.
It doesn't have to be this way.  You can consume better ramen that what comes in prepackaged foil, believe me.. I've seen it with my very own eyes.
I was itching to try out the ramen here in Taipei, and after doing a bit of research, settled on 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen as the guinea pig of my ramen tasting experiments.  Because of sheer proximity to Japan (the home of ramen) I blindly assumed that these noodle dishes must be superior to what I've had so far back in America.  Let's see how correct I was or wasn't.

Chicken Cucumber Miso salad.  Nice fresh flavors.

Thank goodness I didn't meander into here by myself.  You start off by filling out a form listing the thickness and hardness of the noodles you prefer, as well as making other choices such as soup bases.  This is a good option to be certain, as you can turn the same choice of ramen into something completely different with each visit as you mix and match with the different flavors.  

If you are a first time visitor, the servers will take some time to help you along.  At any point during your meal, you can also request for an extra bowl of noodles without any extra cost.  Just be sure to leave some soup in your bowl before you do.  The extra bowl of noodles only comes in one form (thin noodles cooked al dente), but hey, I wasn't about to complain.

Based on the type of ramen and soup base, it will range from 180-250NT for a bowl of ramen.  

 Pork Gyoza.  Nothing special.  Perfectly decent to consume.

They have a variety of fried good and other sides.  

There are multiple 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen's throughout the city, and I imagine you'll run into the same issues that we had during our Friday night visit.  There was a throng of people huddled outside the door, which can really mean only one thing.. time to wait for food.  Possibly one of the worst things ever when your hungry.  The wait was about 20-30 minutes, but they write down your phone number, so you can wander a bit if you wish.  Good thing about Ramen shops is that they produce their food relatively quickly so even with a longish queue, it moves briskly and soon you can be one of the people sitting inside while snickering at the ones outside.

I went with thick/harder noodles as my options.  I am led to believe that the Japanese prefer their noodles harder, while the people here prefer the noodles a bit softer.  I loved the broth as it was a little on the thick side and the consistency of it was amazing.  For my own tastes, it wasn't too salty, but quite perfect, but I can understand how some people might think it be a little on the salty side.  Just make sure you choose your options to your own personal tastes and you probably can't go wrong.

It was a large bowl, and with the extra heaping of noodles, it is enough to satiate almost anyone.  The extra little spices and vegetables just increase the flavor of the broth, and of course the sliced pork was tender and a staple of many a ramen dish.

Although it might look like it'd burn a hole in your tongue, the spicy broth really wasn't all that spicy.  The flavor profile really was relatively similar.  My friend went with softer/broad noodles.  I had a taste of both, and its my preference to go with the non spicy soup base.  I think the flavor of the broth is more distinct in that dish, and isn't overwhelmed by the spicy flavor.  

On the whole, I was very satisfied with the ramen at 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen.  As you can judge from my previous comments, I found that everything was done right and the atmosphere of the store was lovely.  The wood paneling is a nice touch, and the store comes equipped with the customary Japanese cat calls as you enter, leave and order.  But (there always is one) we are still dealing with ramen here.  

I am not discrediting the art of making a fantastic bowl of noodles, but when compared to something a little more sophisticated, it is sometimes difficult to judge how truly great a bowl of ramen is.  Even when it is done as well as 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen does it, I imagine there are many places that produces similar quality product.

But that really is a discussion for another time.  Just realize that if you want a good, filling bowl of noodles, then 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen should be high on your list of destinations.  The customization of your noodle bowl is nice, and there is enough other options on the menu to keep your taste buds occupied until the main dish arrives.  

Overall 樂麵屋 - Rakumenya Ramen receives.

-Til Next Time-

A satisfied grin and probably a belch.

Alleycat's PIzza

Address: (Store Visited) No.1, Sec. 1, Bade Rd. , Jhongjheng District, Taipei. 八德路一段1號, Taipei

Telephone: (02)2395-6006

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:00AM-12:00PM; Fri-Sat: 11:00AM-2:00AM

Pizza.  Is there a more ubiquitous food that is used for parties, gatherings, and get togethers?  The door bell rings, and someone holding a stack of card boxes that comes up to their chin is standing there..an awesome sight to behold.  Why is pizza so popular? Let's try to count the ways.  Its ridiculously easy to share, it can be custom made to anyone's preferences, it is visually appealing, and of course.. it tastes fantastic.  I'm sure i'm forgetting something, but you get the idea.

Alleycat's is my first foray into testing out the pizza that exists here in Taiwan.  To be honest, I have only heard disparaging remarks as to the state of pizza here, but where's the fun in just listening to others? So on a Tuesday night, I packed up my camera and ventured out with some friends to see if the naysayers were speaking the truth or not.

 A fine selection of liquid treats were available.

Simple salad to get started with.

Let's get some of the specifics out of the way first.  There are 9 Alleycat's Pizza establishments in and around Taipei, which gives you an idea to the popularity that it has managed to achieve.  It has marketed itself as the best pizza in town, and offers up thin crust pizzas as well as calzones, and other appetizers and such. 

They have pretty good happy hours and offer up a fine selection of beers.  I am led to believe that the Tien-Mu location often has live music (check their FB page for more info), and it really is a nice place for you and a group of friends to kick it and congregate around some food.

 Basil Pesto Bruschetta. 150NT

Alleycat's offers up 7 signature pizzas for your choosing and a host of ingredients for you to either create your own pizza pie or to tweak their creations in a fashion that's more to your liking.  We perused the menu for a while and eventually settled on a salad, bruschetta and two large pizzas (10' for regular and 12' for the large).

The salad was simple but flavorful.  I found the bruschetta to be a little lacking.  The bread wasn't very fresh in my opinion and not crisp enough. The size of the pizza was adequate, and I would say it wouldn't be too much trouble for a grown man or woman to polish off a whole large pizza if they were called upon to do so.  

I loved the area where this particular Alleycat's was located, and the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant itself really gives it bonus points.  There was ample seating both inside and out, and the booths were cozy, and the restaurant gave off a hip yet warm vibe.  For a Tuesday night, the restaurant was surprisingly jam packed.  I don't know if this applies to the other restaurants, but it can't hurt to be safe and make a reservation if you plan on dining at this or any of the other Alleycat's Pizza Locations.

The Quattro Formaggi.  With extra sundried tomatoes and basil as per our request. (450NT + 30/50NT per extra ingredient)

The Maialona.  Their most popular item.  Really is essentially a sausage party... literally.  (480NT)

Now we've come to the main attraction.  Its nice to have a alluring location and all that extraneous stuff, but if the pizza doesn't deliver, then there is really no reason to head to Alleycat's.  It's here that I think we get to bit of an grey area as to the quality of their pizza and how it should be judged.  

Living in America essentially my entire life has exposed me to lots of pizzas.  They were of varying degrees of mediocre, good and great, because lets face it... there is no such thing as bad pizza is there?  If I were to judge (and of course that's exactly what I'm doing) I would place the quality of this nights effort between mediocre and good.  

Being a carnivorous male, I enjoyed the Maialona more, while my female friends were more partial towards the quattro formaggi with extra sundried tomatoes and basil.  My friend was correct in saying that the crust was entirely too burnt, and the pile of crusts that piled up on her plate like discarded bones was good evidence of that.  Another gripe that was pointed out was the saltiness of the sundried tomatoes and of the quattro formaggi in general.  I enjoy my food slightly on the salty side, so this wasn't a huge issue with me, but I felt it had to be pointed out for mockery.

I enjoyed the flavor of the pizza overall, and it had a bit of sweetness to the dough that I found pleasing.  Like I said, it is almost impossible to make pizza that is awful.  Even pizza that tastes like the cardboard boxes it came in is still acceptable.  But we are stretching for a higher standard here, especially from a chain that touts itself so highly and gets raves reviews from many of its patrons.  Was I disappointed? I wouldn't go that far, but after having so many great pizza places in the States, it is difficult to be excited about Alleycat's and the pizza pies that they offer.

Alleycat's Pizza is a great place to hang out and more likely than not, I will be tasting one of their other creations soon.  It is a perfectly decent slice of pizza that has its flaws.  It's just that if this is the best pizza Taiwan has to offer... then we have a whole lot of work ahead of us.

Overall Alleycat's Pizza receives:

-Til Next Time-