ANTICO FORNO 老烤箱義式手桿披薩

Location: 台北市大安區瑞安街141號
Telephone: 02 2706 3322

A newly opened Italian piazza place located in Rui-an street (between Da-an Park and MRT Technology Building station), Antico Forno offers you with a variety of pizzas fresh out of the oven. Its name Antico meaning "antique" and forno "oven" is exactly the kind of rustic flavors they want to express in their pizzas.   

They offer cold antipasti such as Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, basil and a balsamic vinegar reduction drizzled on top) or hot ones too such as polpette (italian meatballs) or patate al forno (oven baked potatoes). For those who wish to include more greens in their meal can also try out a Cesar salad with smoked salmon or a Sicilian Salad that comes with anchovies.  

As for pizzas, they are divided into two sections: White (without tomato sauce) and Red (with tomato sauce). They offer a selection from the most commonly seen Margherita to the more high-end kind with Truffles. Prices range from 260 to 550NT. We tried the Romana, a very classic tomato and cheese flavor with anchovies, garlic and capers. The Diavola, that is apt for those who really like a spicy kick in their pizzas and lastly, the Tartufata (with truffles) which comes with a strong mushroom flavor and its also cheesier since its got ricotta and Parmesan in it. The crusts are all crispy and thin enough that the ingredients on top are not superfluous. 

At last, the crème de la crème of any meal is the dessert. There are 3 choices available: panna cotta, tiramisu and a millefoglie. Veredict: try the Millefoglie at only 130NT. A fantastic puff pastry that is chewy, but not overly so. The custard filling in between layers is not too sweet or cloy. I'd say that it would make a fine combination with a cup of coffee or tea to end your meal. 

Despite it being a newly born pizza place in Taipei City, its quite a nice locale to have a Friday night hangout or a nice gourmet pizza at an affordable price. Antico Forno with its interior decor and ambiance, has definitely brought a new modern Taiwanese twist on the rustic Italian pizza places. 

Taipei Fish Market

Location: 台北市民族東路410巷2弄18號 

Telephone: 02-2508-1268
Hours: Monday to Sunday 06:00~24:00

        If you are a seafood lover and want to buy fresh seafood, Taipei Fish Market is the place. Near by you can also buy fresh grocery. If you stop by near lunch or dinner time, you can go try out the Addiction Aquatic Development (上引水產) which is a Japanese Restaurant that serves most likely, the fresh-est seafood. You can also choose to buy a king crab in the fish market and they will cook it for you in the restaurant, but at a relatively price sum depending on the size of the crab. 

For more information visit: http://www.addiction.com.tw/

Macao | Top 6 Must Eat

1) 義順鮮奶: The Italian Panna Cotta sure is delicious, but this Macao version of it takes a total different twist on it and its more like a milk pudding. However, unlike a pudding, the "撞奶" (zhuang-nai) in Macao is made of only milk, egg whites and sugar, thus making its texture to be much softer and less compacted. 

2) 九如坊 RESTAURANTE PLATAO:  Platao Restaurant is one of the many places that tourist go to when visiting. It is easy to find and has a very Western ambiance as it is a Portuguese restaurant. We tried a few dished, but the most memorable one is the Serradura Cake (Sawdust cake/pudding) which is a specialty in Macao. Made of finely shredded Marie cookies and by whipping cream with condensed milk, this dessert is a "Must try, no regret." 

For more Information visit: http://www.plataomacau.com/

3) LORD STOW'S BAKERY EGG TART: Evolved from the similar Portuguese pastry called pastel de nata, these egg tarts are famous in Macao. Unlike the usual egg tarts you might eat in a Dim sum, Lord Stow's egg tart has a much crispier outer shell and a richer and creamier filling. Eat it warm with a cut of joe, this egg tart won't let you down! (If you visit The Venitian, make sure to make a stop by the Shoppes Grand Canal where you'll be able to find this bakery). 

For more Information visit: http://www.lordstow.com/

4) 誠昌飯店水蟹粥: If you feel like eating something more refreshing for the palate, try out the famous crab porridge at this place. The place is filled up within 20 minutes after its opening hours so you see, it is that good. 

5) 豬扒包: Did someone say pork chops? Yes, this place sells a simple french bread filled with a big pork chop. Despite its simplicity, many tourist make a stop to just get a taste of this 豬扒包 (zhu-pa-bao - direct translation: pig crawling  bun). Location is a little far, but last I heard, they opened a branch in The Venetian so I guess there will be no need to take a bus to get there.

6) 南屏雅敍 NAM PENG CAFE: A little harder to find than the ones above, this place, as un-fancy as it seems, serves an amazing sandwich: the 叉燒蛋三文治. It is basically a sandwich with 'cha siu' meat (叉燒肉) and eggs. Its fluffy, its got filling and the taste of the cha-siu with the egg is just perfect. 

Osaka | Top 5 Must Eat

1) ENDO SUSHI: Of course going to Japan means you gotta try their sushi, but this sushi, is memorable! Endo sushi is located near Tamagawa station (S12 on the Sennichimae line) and then by taking Exit 3 or Exit 6 from the station towards the Osaka's Central Wholesale Fish market. It opens at 5am till 2pm and it is an "Omakase"-style sushi bar in which you get served with a 5-sushi selection made by the chef. And the Miso soup here is a must-try as well!!! At only 1,410 Yen for the Omakase+Miso soup, Endo Sushi will always be on my top list of my must eat in Osaka!

2) FUGU SASHIMI: (1 small plate at around 1,400 Yen) This is a must try in Japan especially because the sushi-chefs must be especially trained in order to slice the Fugu or the poison of the fish could kill you. The taste is like a squid, a little rubbery but still its got that sashimi feel, delicate and fresh. The difference its in the aftertaste! 

For more Information visit: http://zuboraya.co.jp/

3) FRIED SKEWERS: Tried the Lady's Menu at 1,300 Yen + soft-drink 300 Yen. Fried to order, crispy outer layer (not too thick) and comes with an ice cream dessert as a perfect finishing touch. You must go and experience this! 

4) OKONOMIYAKI + TOKONOMIYAKI: Osaka's "traditional" dish is of course a must eat when you go. I've hears that the Tokonomiyaki is from Tokyo while the Okonomiyaki is from Osaka, but definitely something you should try out as it is an Osakan specialty!

5) TAKOYAKI: Of course another of those must eat when you go to Osaka is the Takoyaki or commonly known as Squid Balls. 

Casa della Pasta

Location: 忠孝店 台北市敦化南路一段233巷23號 (near MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua)
Telephone: 02-2771-7869
Hours: Lunch 12:00-15:00 & Dinner 18:00 ~ 21:00

If your looking for a plate of good cheap pasta, this is it! Casa della Pasta is great locale to hang out with your friend after a shopping spree in the Zhongxiao District. The pasta price range go from 170-250NT with an additional 10%. 

This is a classic tomato sauce pasta with vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers and aubergine). Pasta was well and firm and the sauce was very tomato-ish, none of that sweetened tomato sauce thing!

For more Information check out their website: http://www.capasta.com.tw/

MOooooo Pho

Location: 台北市大安區仁愛路四段228號 (nearest MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua)
Telephone: 2700-0567

Moooo Pho is a recently opened Californian-styled Vietnamese food located just across the street from RenAi Road's NY Bagels. We tried some appetizers, Pho and Banh Mi Sandwhich.

Veredict: Go for the Banh Mi Sandwhich, at 100NT, its big, cheap, convenient and yummy at the same time. The picture below only shows half of the portion. For the Pho, I still recommend Cyclo, nevertheless, it is important to consider that MOooooo Pho is still in its opening stages!