CLOSED! dessert: i strongly recommend SWEET TOOTH

a/o 5/2011 CLOSED- owner moved shop home, so check FB page for updates/catering info.

SWEET TOOTH
No. 9-2, Lane 13, Pucheng St.
(02) 2369-0689

MRT: Taipower Building or Guting

website: Sweet Tooth's FB page

hours: Tues-Sun 12PM- 10PM, Mondays 5PM-10PM

$

Kid friendliness: small space and no high chairs, but lots of kid friendly desserts available

Visit reviewed: 10/5/2010



It's true that when one door closes, another one opens.. But who would have thought that instead of tacos, I'd be getting brownies and honey ice cream? After a recommendation from reader Ginny to try out Taco Bar in Shida, I made a date with a few fellow Mexican loving friends to check it out. But apparently Taco Bar isn't open for lunch as some internet blogs reported... when we got there a little before noon, its main door was closed with a metal gate and the whole alley off of Pucheng St was quiet.



So after trying to figure out what to do, the small sign for "Belgian ligne waffles" and cute storefront caught our eye. We spotted the owner inside and asked about Taco Bar and she said that she thought it opened later, like in the afternoon. I think she saw our distress and invited us inside to check out her shop because we were curious about her waffles.



The cozy nook seats about ten people and has a cheerful decor, with colorful framed drawings of animals and handpainted walls. Open for about a year, Sweet Tooth is a good spot for afternoon tea snacks and offers a brunch menu on the weekends.




While the waffles wouldn't be ready until later (the dough, which included pearl sugar, was still rising), she offered us a taste of her banana cake with rose cream. All of the her menus are currently in Chinese only with no pictures, but Ariel, the owner, is happy to suggest and explain her treats.



It was moist and muffin-like, and not too sweet and the handmade rose whipped cream offered an interesting complement to the banana cake.



But for those with a serious sweet tooth, you have to check out her brownies (NT$60). They were gooey and thick just like the kind I like to bake at home... the texture was not too cakey and not fudgey.



You could make any of the desserts ala mode with the honey ice cream. One of the most popular waffle combos is a waffle with a scoop of honey ice cream.



There's also teas and coffee- the fruit tea was fragrant and a good balance to the sweetness of the brownie. She also sells larger loaves of the banana cake and brownies for NT$250 and gives discounts for larger orders.

I'll definitely be back to try out the Belgian waffles, and maybe the nutella banana toast, which she said she would be trying out- two pieces of toast with nutella and banana sandwiched in between, and grilled on the waffle iron. And maybe try out Taco Bar when it is actually open, or Exotic Masala House, a few doors down, or the Korean restaurant across the street. As always, there's too much to eat in Taipei.