CLOSED western/australian: OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
97, SongRen Rd, 1F
(across the street from Neo 19, near Brown Sugar)
(02) 2345-8818
CLOSED a/o 2015

website: www.outback.com.tw

Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30 am - 11 pm
Fri & Sat 11:30-12 am（last order 11 pm)

$$

Kid friendliness: Kids menu available with chicken fingers, cheeseburger, jr ribs and the like w/soda for under NT$200. high chairs available and coloring paper/crayons

Visit reviewed: 2/21/2008

What to say.. Outback is the latest Western chain restaurant to open in the Xinyi area. While they have had a restaurant location in Holiday Inn for quite a few years, their new digs which opened last December across the nearby Macaroni Grill and Chili's will be sure to draw some new customers.

The decor, menu and food is much the same as the Australian grill restaurant in the US, with a Chinese and English menu with pictures- red meat offerings like sirloin, rib eye, prime rib, NY Steak, lamb, baby back ribs, along with pasta, seafood, salads, appetizers and desserts.

We had to try the signature appetizer- Bloomin' Onion (NT$280)- although it is wayyy to big for only two people to share.. more like 5 plus. It was deep fried, crunchy and addictive, and sort of a mystery how they make an onion unfold into such a cohesive unity of onion pieces. They have other things like fried 'shrooms, Kookaburra (chicken wings), aussie cheese fries (boy was I tempted by this), and a combo plate.



We also ordered the sirloin against the server's recommendation of getting the more expensive filet which is more tender. The sirloin (NT$480) was pretty tough and chewy... Not the best steak I've had, but it was the cheapest one on the menu. I really enjoyed the baked sweet potato though! It had a bit of butter and cinnamon as well to bring out the natural sweetness. The steaks come with your choice of either a baked potato or sweet potato or two sides: aussie chips, fresh steamed vegetables, rice pilaf, or mashed potatoes. It kind of sucks that if you pick a baked sweet/potato that you don't get a 2nd side of veggies or something.

Lastly, the starter caesar (add NT$70) had a kick to it along with the pile of buttery croutons! It was either very peppery or had a bit of paprika or something in the dressing.

I wanted to show the difference in the pictures when you white balance in the camera-- the lighting in Outback is sort of pinkish-romantic (?) and after I white-balanced the food colors looked a lot more accurate. I don't have the time to photoshop my pics to crop, beautify or fix them, so I gotta get it when I get it in the camera.

AFTER:


BEFORE:


I've had their dessert before (which is huge)- which I would still pick Chili's warm chocolate cake still, but want to try their prime rib. I've been to Outback once in the states, where I was not that super impressed to return, but I think I would give Outback in Taipei another try. It seems like it could be a fun group dinner place or setting for a romantic couple's dinner. They have an extensive drinks menu and bar, and aren't SUPER crowded yet like Chili's can get. The service is definitely eager to please, constantly refilling our drinks and answering questions, although I have to note that our server was a bit confused by some of my questions in English, but we worked it out.

OTHER LOCATION:

OUTBACK
at Holiday Inn Taipei
100 Tun Hwa North Road,2nd Fl.,
(02) 8712-8818

revisited/american: i recommend CHEERS

CHEERS
at Grand Hyatt Taipei
2 Sungshou RD, 1st FL
(02) 2720-1234

website: taipei.grand.hyatt.com

hours: 11:30am - 1:00am (Sun-Thu), 11:30am - 2:00am (Fri-Sat)
Salad Bar Lunch from 11:30am - 2:00pm,
A La Carte Menu from 11:30am – 9:30pm

$$

Kid friendliness: much more kid friendly with revamped decor. Previously too smoky and more like a pub- now more like a lounge/cafe- though smoking is still allowed.

Visit reviewed: 11/11/2007
Old review: 7/14/2005

I'm sad to say that a lot of my favorites from Cheers from a few years ago (the steak sandwich with sundried tomatoes and taquitos) are now non-existent now that they have revamped everything (sometime in 2006) from their menu to the atmosphere to be "contemporary yet classic” and multicultural.

But the food is still fresh with a wide range of good eats that are above most Taipei hotel eateries. Menu is in English and Chinese and service is good.

The space feels a lot lighter, airy and less bar/lounge than before. Still great for business meetings, or a relaxed lunch.



They have a daily set lunch menu (around NT$500-600) that includes their salad bar, soup and dessert. Their salad bar is a small array of cold and hot appetizers and salad. Their daily soup (I think it was pumpkin) was okay.



I really enjoyed the tuna sandwich (though I'm not sure if it replaces their steak sandwich that I liked so much. They do still have a steak sandwich, but I haven't tried it yet. It is a variation of their old version.) I requested that they put it on another bread rather than rye, and I was happy with the result. It didn't have too much mayo and it was the right size with a side of steak fries. I think my friend got the burger with fried egg which he polished off.



I wanted to get the other dessert, but they had run out, so we got a pear tart instead. It looks better than it tasted, since I think I expected it to be a bit sweeter or more carmelized, and the crusty was more soggy than crispy/flaky. But it overall it was a decent meal. I'll have to try the other offerings some other time or look forward to hearing what other's experiences were like.

revisited/pizza/buffet: PIZZA HUT

PIZZA HUT
No.343, Zhong Hsiao E. Rd., Sec. 4,
(02) 2776-6600

website: www1.pizzahut.com.tw

hours: 11AM - 11PM (though buffet ends at 9:30PM)

$ ($274/person at lunch)

Kid friendliness: only 1 high chair and 1 booster for the whole restaurant? all you can eat pasta and pizza usually satisfies most kids, though there can be a wait during peak hours

Visit reviewed: 11/20/2007
OId review here (for delivery): 2/21/2006

Maybe it's the cold weather or the rain, but every time I've been passing by the Pizza Hut lately, it seems to be packed, with people waiting outside the door! The last time we sat down was last November, when it wasn't too hard to get a table for 6 at a weekday lunch. The last time I went a few weeks ago, it was a 20-30 minute wait and we ended up just getting some personal pan pizzas to go (for a 15 minute wait).

I think it's pretty comparable to Pizza Hut buffet in the states- all you can eat pizza and other stuff with an assortment of various flavors, salads, pastas, hot foods and drinks- for about NT$300 (I think NT$270 for lunch and NT$300 something for dinner) . One cool thing is that if they aren't serving the pizza that you like, you can request that they make a pizza for you that they will serve to your table (for no extra charge). My friend requested the Takoyaki pizza which I never had before- it had squid, mushrooms, and drizzles of some sweet sauce and mayo.



It was, uh, interesting.. but demonstrates the extent of the local variety of flavors that even an American chain will produce. Along with Japanese Takoyaki, some other unique flavors on the Taiwan Pizza Hut menu include: Lobster Abalone; Fruity Sausage Cheesy Bite PIzza (and no I'm not making this up! Look here ), Korean Kim Chi BBQ; and French Style Seafood.

The salad bar and soups are not that exciting and the penne pasta is sometimes mushy (since it's baked and is sitting there), but if you like Pizza Hut's pizza and can eat a lot of it, then it's a fast way to try different flavors of pizzas. Since the personal pan pizzas are so cheap here (usually under NT$100), you can get that if you don't want to wait for the buffet or can't eat that much.

Personally, I like Pizza Hut over Domino's and there's something about the crust that I like and I usually get it delivered, but if you want to hit up the buffet- I think it's only at this location. It always seems to be packed with family and friends, so it's something for people visiting looking for something familiar as well as locals who just want some hot cheesy pizza (with some takoyaki on top).

where can you find: a romantic restaurant in Taipei?

Happy Valentine's day everyone!

I know that there is also a local "lovers day" in Taiwan, but Valentine's day made me think about where would one go for a romantic dinner in Taipei? I've added a "romantic" label to my posts for those places that I think could be considered so (and of course, the places are varying levels of romantic) and some places may be more setting the mood at dinner than during lunch, and I know there are probably a lot of other places that are romantic that I have yet to visit.

For me, I think the factors that make a restaurant romantic are a good dessert to share ( like the souffle at Joyce East) and an atmosphere to enjoy each other and the food (so no loud music, crowds or bright lighting) (like at Sumie at San Want Hotel or Forchetta) .

So... where you do guys take your dates/significant others/long time husbands or wives on a special occasion? Do you think it have to be an expensive place to be considered romantic?

japanese/hot pot: i recommend MOMO PARADISE

MOMO PARADISE
at Neo 19, 2nd FL
No. 22 Song Ren Road
(02) 8786-1128

website: humaxasia.com.tw/momo Chinese only

hours: 11:30 AM - 12midnight; weekends and holidays 11:30 AM - 1 AM

$-$$

Kid friendliness: no high chairs or boosters- booth seating

Visit reviewed: 11/3/2007



A good option for affordable all you can eat shabu shabu or sukiyaki (depending on what you choose) in a modern, if not popular setting. You might have to wait during peak hours and weekends since people can take their time at an all you can eat place, though I think Momo Paradise sets a cap at 90 minutes. Shabu shabu is basically you cooking meats and vegetables in your own pot of boiling water.

Sukiyaki is more of a grill where you can cook the vegetables and meats in a sweet soy sauce. To complete the experience, Momo Paradise gives you a raw egg that you can beat and use to dip the cooked marinated meats which gives it a slippery coating that might make some queasy, but completes the sukiyaki flavor for others.



What I liked is the variety of options and that they bring everything to you. There is a vegetable cart that they will plate up for you, but you can also add a mushroom plate or other things such as tempura or bowls of rice for no additional charge.



You can also pick from beef or pork or seafood (though I liked the pork better than the beef on this occasion). Though their meat is sliced paper thin, it's quite filling if you get enough trays. Plus it cooks faster that way.



Their charges vary per person if you want one or two pots at your table (say if you guys want both shabu shabu and sukiyaki for a bigger party) or the third option of a miso soup hot pot. From NT$299 lunch to $399 dinner up to NT$499 if you want all three pots at dinner. They also have slightly discounted prices after 10pm at their Neo 19 and Chung Hsiao locations. US$12 for all you can eat shabu shabu for dinner sounds like a pretty good deal to me!


forgot to take a picture while it was full of stuff! sorry, next time. this is basically the hot pot after you've eaten everything

Also, as you can see from the 'after' picture, the soup is not really for drinking, since they start off with plain water and not a broth. The Chinese hot pot places that start with the broth (like Hundred Mushroom Garden) has soup that you DO want to drink.

For an extra charge of NT$130, you can add udon, drink and dessert to your meal, although you already get a complimentary coffee jelly dessert with the regular meal. There are also limited sides available. I liked the udon, though I wished there was a tad more and that it wasn't an extra charge for it- though I think there is vermicelli and regular noodles or rice offered with the regular price.





Everyone probably has their own favorite local shabu shabu or hot pot joint, but for a chain I feel like this is a good choice too for couples, families or even business lunches, or even as a way of introduction shabu shabu to newcomers. The only downside is that their menu is only in Chinese and Japanese, but since all the offerings are mostly available on sight, you can pick and choose. I actually first had MoMo Paradise in Japan a few years back and was so stuffed by the time we left, trying both the shabu shabu and sukiyaki pots. Having had great memories of that experience, I'd say that the service is a little different here (less cozy, more casual) at the Neo 19 location, but maybe the other locations are different.

Growing up Chinese American, I never really gave the concept of hot pot a second thought, but for those of you who watch SURVIVOR- the last season had them competing in China, where one of the rewards they had hot pot on the Great Wall. The three Americans were confused (and later complained) about what to do with the hot pot, plates of meats and vegetables that was on the table. It was actually pretty annoying how much they complained about it (if you're starving, then then hot pot is a pretty good reward and they had a LOT of stuff available!), but it definitely reminded me that not everyone knows about what it is or how it works (though hot water + raw meat = food).

OTHER LOCATIONS:

2F, 293, ZhongXiao E. Rd., Sec. 4
(02) 2772-1577
Hours: 11:30 am-2 am (3-5pm closed)

Bistro 98, 5th FL
No. 9, Zhong Xiao East Road, Sec. 4
(02) 2752-6609
11:30AM-12midnight

KMall, 5th FL
No. 50, Zhong Xiao West Road, Sec. 1
Zhong Zheng District
(02) 2382-2668
11:30AM - 11 PM

No. 6, NanJing East Road, 2FL (near Chung Shan MTR, exit 3)
(02) 2562-2328
hours: 11:30 AM -12 midnight

No. 29, Ching Chen Street
(02) 2546-2838
lunch 11:30~ 3PM; dinner 5PM - 11PM

Taida
No. 68, Roosevelt Road, Sec 4, 3FL
(02) 2363-8998
hours: 11：30 AM - 11 PM

american: SUBWAY

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!! Just doing some quick catchups on old visits.. but hey, it's new to you! :) Be sure to scroll down and make sure you haven't missed anything because I've been making up for lost time. Best of everything in 2008 and hopefully you're having a good few days off with friends and loved ones and getting some extra ZZZs in this gray and rainy weather.



SUBWAY SANDWICHES
No. 28, SongDe Rd, Taipei
(02) 8780-8380

and various locations listed below

website: new.fresh-fit.com

$

Kid friendliness: sandwiches, chips and even cookies on the menu. don't recall seeing high chairs at locations.

Visit reviewed: 12/3/2007

Ahh.. good old Subway. It's quick. It's easy. It's familiar.

Sometimes you feel like a sandwich and a bag of chips, then you'd head here. Most sandwiches are the same as you'd find in the states, though I find that the Meatball sandwich's (NT$85/6 inch or NT$145/12 inch) meatballs here seem smaller and taste a bit more artificial or "meat-like" rather than ground beef than I'd prefer. So if I don't get the meatball, I usually get the Tuna.

If you've never eaten at a Subway, you basically choose the sandwich (various coldcuts to steak), the bread, the vegetable toppings (lettuce, tomato, olives, bell pepper, onions, jalepeno peppers, pickles, cucumbers), cheese and dressing (olive oil, vinegar, salt/pepper, mayo, mustard), and watch as they assemble your sandwich. In the states, I usually pick Quizno's over Subway for their hot sandwiches, but for American style cold cut or tuna sandwiches here in Taipei, you have Subway or Au Bon Pain to choose from.

I think some of the Subways deliver too. With menus in English and Chinese and lots of pictures, it's pretty easy to navigate.


OTHER LOCATIONS:

漢口店 HanKou Branch
02-2314-5725 02-2314-5798
台北市漢口街1段57號
57, HanKou St. Sec 1, Taipei

新光三越 Shinkong Mitsukoshi Branch
02-8780-1661
信義新天地A8館 台北市松高路12號B2美食街
12, SongGao Rd, Taipei (B2 Food Court)

光復店 GuangFu Branch
02-2723-7781 02-2723-7703
台北市光復南路435號1F
435, FuXing S Rd, Taipei

南京店 NanJing Branch
02-2545-7721 02-2545-7591
台北市南京東路4段99號1樓
99, NanJing E Rd, Sec 4, Taipei

內湖大潤發店 NeiHu RT Mart Branch
02-2792-2856 02-2792-8870
台北市舊宗路1段188號1樓
188, JiuZhong Rd, Sec 1, Taipei

陽明山店 YangMingShan Branch
02-2861-7999 02-2861-9154
台北市陽明山格致路14號1F

南京建國店 NanJing/JianGuo Branch
02-2517-0439 02-2506-7029
台北市南京東路二段216號
216, NanJing E Rd, Sec 2, Taipei

師大店 ShiDa Branch
02-2322-1767 02-2322-1768
台北市金山南路2段230號
230, JinShan Rd, Sec 2, Taipei

新生店 XinSheng Branch
02-2395-5686 02-2396-8477
台北市新生南路一段106-1號
106-1, XinSheng S Rd, Sec 1, Taipei

中和建一店 ZhongHe/JianYi Branch
02-8226-5819 02-8226-5813
台北縣中和市建一路168號F棟
168, JianYi Rd, Floor F, ZhongHe City

木柵店 MuZha
02-2234-6802 02-2234-6823
台北市文山區萬壽路27號
27, WanShou Rd, Taipei

101 MALL
02-8101-8195
台北市市府路45號B1-10
45, ShiFu Rd, B1-10, Taipei

復興店 FuXing Branch
02-2518-3062 02-2518-3215
台北市復興北路270號
270, FuXing N Rd, Taipei

環亞店 Asia World Branch
02-8101-8195
台北市南京東路3段337號地下2樓
337, NanJing E Rd, Sec 3, B2, Taipei

台大店 NTU Branch
02-3365-2629 02-3365-2630
台北市羅斯福路4段85號1樓
85, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 4, Taipei

中山店 ZhongShan Branch
02-25375276 02-2568-3613
台北市中山北路2段101號
101, ZhongShan N Rd, Sec 2, Taipei

龍安店 LongAn Branch
02-2368-0007 02-2368-2006
台北市新生南路3段8號1F
8, XinSheng S Rd, Sec 3, Taipei

文大店 PCCU Branch
02-2862-2161 02-2862-2161
台北市華岡路55號
55, HuaGang Rd, Taipei

大直店 DaZhi Branch
02-2533-5255 02-2533-5277
台北市大直街61號
61, DaZhi St, Taipei

京華城店 Living Mall Branch
02-8761-6630 02-8761-6823
台北市八德路4段138號B1
138, BaDe Rd, Sec 4, B1, Taipei

世貿店 World Trade Center Branch
02-2345-3009 02-2345-3169
台北市信義路5段2號B1
2, XinYi Rd, Sec 5, B1, Taipei

敦南店 DunHua South Branch
02-2709-2008 02-2709-2009
台北市敦化南路2段150號
150, DunHua S Rd, Sec 2, Taipei

士林店 ShiLin Branch
02-2834-0028 02-2838-4139
台北市士林區中正路120-2號
120-2, ZhongZheng Rd, Taipei

台電店 Taipower Branch
02-3365-3359 02-3365-1751
台北市羅斯福路3段241號1F
241, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 3, Taipei

中崙大潤發店 Zhong Lun RT Mart
02-8772-6072 02-8772-6072
台北市八德路2段306號B1美食街
306, BaDe Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (B1 Food Court)

東門店 DongMen Branch
02-2327-8688 02-2394-7909
台北市大安區金山南路二段11號
11, JinShan Rd, Sec 2, Taipei

瑞光店 RuiGuang Branch
02-2657-9298 02-2657-9923
台北市內湖區瑞光路277號1F
227, RuiGuang Rd, NeiHu, Taipei

敦化市民店 DunHua/ShiMing Branch
02-2578-7813 02-2578-8173
台北市敦化南路一段63號1F
63, DunHua S Rd, Sec 1, Taipei

三民店 SanMin Branch
02-2769-5839 02-2764-6622
台北市三民路152號
152, SanMin Rd, Taipei

慶城店 QingCheng Branch
02-2546-4467 02-2546-4821
台北市慶城街12樓1樓(台北商旅)
12, QingCheng St (Les Suites), Taipei

coffee/tea: i strongly recommend 50 LAN

50 LAN
various locations citywide

website: 50lan.com.tw Chinese only

kid friendliness: kids will love slurping boba from the oversized colorful straws, but parents should decide if the sugar and tea is okay for their kids.

$

Visit reviewed: 12/8/2007

Boba Milk Tea was a crazy phenomenon in LA about five years ago, not too unlike the Pinkberry craze that is going on now. Different chains or mom and pop shops across the street from each other. Going to get a boba every other day. At least fruit topped fro yo is a lot better for your waistline than a cup of creamer or condensed milk with a splash of tea and half cup of starchy balls.

But it's totally died down in the states. And there's no way I could repeat drinking it every other day like when I had 5 (count them! but there are now only 2 standing) milk tea shops in a two block radius on Sawtelle to choose from.

Milk tea in Taipei is still alive and kicking. And a lot cheaper. At NT$30+ a cup, it's a lot more affordable than the US$2-3 prices- though you can still find those prices (supposedly for higher quality tea and boba) at places like the fancier Chun Tsui Tang (aka Spring Water House).

My favorite milk tea place of the moment is 50 Lan or 50嵐. It's a chain, so you can spot the bright yellow and blue signs on many busy streets.

Surprisingly, there is usually a line, maybe because each drink is made to order and sometimes people are ordering bagfulls for their office.



What I like is that you can adjust the temperature (hot or cold), sweetness (90 percent, 75 percent, 50 percent sugar), and even the amount of boba. I like that the bobas are slightly smaller and always the right chewiness. Personally, I like my milk tea cold and 75 percent sweet. Fifty percent tastes too watered down for me.

The cup is complete with a slogan that almost makes sense, especially if you've been living with Taiwan English long enough: "The Tea of Cool. Craving. Content."

Their extensive menu is completely in Chinese, so stick to "boba nai tsa" or boba milk tea, or point to something that looks good that someone before you has ordered. I have to work on figuring out their other drinks since I do like the passionfruit tea or lemon jelly variety too.

indian/food court: i recommend INDIAN PALACE

INDIAN PALACE

(this location is now closed and a Cafe India has opened in the same spot a/o 8/2012)
at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
A4: 19 Sung Kao Rd, B2

Miramar Mall, B1
22 Jing Ye 3rd Road
DaZhi, Taipei

Taipei 101 Mall food court
MRT: Taipei City Hall
website: indianpalacetaipei.googlepages.com

$

Kid friendliness: actually at Mitsukoshi they will deliver your food to your seat, rare for a food court eatery. Miramar has enclosed eating space.

Visit reviewed: 2/3/2008 and 12/7/2007

It's hard to find good Indian mall food in the states, let alone Taipei. For awhile, I was in love with this tiny corner of the old Century City Mall food court, near Ben and Jerry's and La Salsa that had combination plates for about $7 or so. Everything was just right and you could a meat and vegetable curry and naan. But one day I went to fulfill my craving and it was gone. I was pretty sad. But I guess it doesn't matter since that whole food court ended up getting torn up and there's a new fancy food court with Lawry's Carvery now. hahahah

Anyways- with Indian mall food in Taipei, I've had some terrible experiences at Curry and Tea House at 101 and some okay experiences at Tandoor at Far Eastern Mall AGES ago, but Indian Palace is the first time I've had a good experience where I would totally go back. It was actually recommended by a friend the first time and a relative the second time.



If the curry and naan are good then you can forgive everything else- the strange bland rice despite its cute heart shaped presentation, or the vague milky dessert and tea in the set menu.



I was reminded of how pleasant the whole experience was when my aunt asked me if I wanted to get some food to go from there from the Miramar Mall Food Court the other day.



Though they don't list it on their menu, they can make Chicken Tikka Masala for you. There might be other things as well if you ask. The server was as friendly at the Miramar location as they were at the Xin Yi Mitsukoshi location. The Miramar mall has their own private seating area as the host beckons the crowd to "try something different."

The glass window into the kitchen displays three Indian chefs, one of who is making naan to order in the hot tandoori oven. It's promising when you see Indian chefs right? Like when you see Mexican cooks at that hole in the wall taco place or the Chinese restaurant filled with Chinese people and the menu has Chinese and Chinese servers (nothing against ones that don't... but generally the food seems more authentic that way). At the Mitsukoshi location, you only see their picture on them menu since their kitchen is enclosed...



On both occassions, I tried to order samosas (NT$100 for 3) and they were "out." I wonder when they are offered as I went on different times of day, weekend and weekday at the different places. But no worries, their set menus (NT$180 - NT$250) with meat (Butter Chicken or and vegetarian options like Aloo Gohbi (potato and cauliflower) or lentils, include a small salad, soup and naan or rice. The size is pretty decent and probably about the size that the sit down restaurants offer for a higher price.

The curries seem quite similar to what you'd get, not too watery, not too thick. The aloo gohbi was interesting in that they cut the potatoes in slices instead of dices and there was a lot of curry rather than the drier variety I'm used to in the states. But tastewise it was fine.

My aunt also said that the tandoori chicken was too spicy the first time they ordered it, which I found strange, but not THAT strange after my visit to sit down Tandoor where EVERYTHING including the tandoori chicken was crazy spicy. So wander down to Indian Palace next time you feel like something other than Chinese mall food, be clear about how spicy you want stuff, feel free to ask if there is stuff off the menu, and let me know if you actually get some samosas!

indian/buffet: i recommend ALIBABA

ALIBABA
56-58 Nanking E., Rd., Sec. 2, 2nd Floor
(02) 2567-7163

Hours: 12pm to 2:30pm; 6pm to 11pm

website: ali88.com.tw


$$

Kid friendliness: 2 high chairs available. Service semi-kid friendly when they are busy.

Visit reviewed: 11/25/2007

(Blogger seems to not let me upload multiple pictures.. I've been trying to post this for a month.. finally, I did them one at a time and it slowly worked! argh!)

After my terrible experience with the empty trays at Aaleja's weekend buffet, I was a bit hesitant to try another one. But you can't blame a restaurant for an entirely different place right? In the end, it was a lot better than the empty trays at Aaleja's weekend brunch although they were s-l-o-w on refilling the tandoori chicken.

Ali Baba's buffet (NT$399) offers up an array of curries, appetizers, seafood and vegetarian options and even self serve ice cream. They were crowded during the lunch hour, so much so that they tried to squeeze us in this tiny table by the door. A few minutes later we were able to request a different table on the other side with some persistence.



I thought the flavors of the various curries I tried were good- not too spicy to accommodate a wider crowd- and I liked that they had the option of different naans (ie garlic instead of plain) and drinks as part of your lunch buffet, as well as samosas if you could get to it in time. The naan is fluffy and crispy, not like the dense flatbread at Aaleja.



Personally, I'm not a big fan of seafood curries or seafood in Indian food, so I didn't sample that, though they offered up some fried fish and seafood curry, as well as quite a few vegetarian options. The good thing with a buffet is that everyone can pick and choose what they want and it's a good way to sample more than one dish for the price of one dish.

You might not know that Alibaba Indian restaurant is there when walking by on the crowded street... it's on the second floor and this sign hangs in the stairway entrance.

not Taipei part ONE: BIG TOMY's, SOUPLANTATION, RED ROCK CASINO and SIN BALA

hi everyone!

Sorry for the long blogging vacation. Actually my three plus year old Powerbook G4 decided to crash over the holidays.

Luckily, it was before the Applecare insurance expires mid January.

Unluckily, Apple Stores/Genius Bars don't do data recovery.

So luckily, the nice people at Computech SOS were able to recover pretty much all my data from my failing hard drive, replace it and move all the old stuff to the new drive. There are still some kinks I'm working out (they didn't restore my address book, so I have to do an "add email" to all my emails) and I had to do a software update to fix the iTunes and Quicktime before I could open it.

But I was definitely very SAD for a few weeks before I knew for sure whether or not they could recover all my photos and videos (apparently 35 gigs worth!)- so this is my warning to you- back up your data!!! Whether it's to an external hard drive or to CD/DVD or somewhere else online, it's totally better than the last resort of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars of having an expert do it for you!

Anyways, as always, I have been eating lots of great food over here. Some highlights:

Gyros and chili cheese fries from BIG TOMY's- YUM! Although I like the gyros from The Great Greek better (on Olympic and Bundy), you can't beat the chili cheese fries here. It's open 24 hours and there is Orange Bang to wash it down with. Three things that pretty much don't exist in Taipei.



SOUPLANTATION offers an all you can eat variety of soups, salads, pasta and breads/muffins, as well as a frozen yogurt machine and fruit. It's not the most gourmet thing in the world, but it's comfort food and the price is right, seeing that most salads these days are $6-$15 and soups are at least $3-6 a bowl. Personally, my favorites are the chinese chicken salad, the chili, the clam chowder and the chicken noodle soup. Plus gotta get the blueberry muffins, cornbread and a bit of froyo, but avoid the pastas- always seem very bland.



After overloading on food in Vegas, we had a simple brunch before we headed back to LA. An off the strip hotel, the cafe at RED ROCK CASINO offered a variety of breakfast and lunch options. My strawberry waffle didn't disappoint (at about $8) with a light crispy texture, lots of sliced strawberries, and sauce or maple syrup to drizzle on it. I also thought their Griddle breakfast (at about $10) was a great deal with 3 eggs, hashbrowns, sausages and ham steak. BTW- pretty packed for an off the strip casino (about a 20-30 minute wait for Sunday brunch) and looks like a glitzy strip hotel, but off on its own with an in-house bowling alley and movie theater.



Lastly, haven't had Chinese food in awhile and ended up at SIN BALA, a shaved ice/Taiwanese food cafe in Arcadia. Their specialty seems to be chinese sausages, but I ended up getting a Squid Potage vermicelli soup and sharing a shaved ice with my family. Personally, I don't love the black sugar syrup on the shaved ice (about $4) (it's got a strong flavor, almost gingery to me) (just pour on the condensed milk please!) but you can request it without it the next time. Five toppings are included and piled underneath the shaved ice- this time we got red bean, rice mochi balls, ai-yu and boba along with the condensed milk. It was not the best shaved ice I've ever had, but passable. They also have other small eats like oyster omelet (also vegetarian style with mushroom), wonton noodle soup, and scallion pancake. I also thought the service was pretty nice and friendly.




BIG TOMY's
11289 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 479-0601

SOUPLANTATION
21309 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 540-4998
and other locations

Grand Cafe at
RED ROCK CASINO
11011 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 797.7777

SIN BALA
651 W Duarte Rd. Ste F
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-0886