Despite the burgeoning fine dining scene in Taipei, so incredibly different from when we first arrived, I was not able to be torn from our top pick from last year, the delectable Mume restaurant, just off Ren Ai Road in the heart of the downtown dining district. Despite the fact that we haven't visited various highly rated establishments, l'Atelier's de this and that, as well as avant gardely monickered spots like Raw, it was a better fit for us to go back to the spot we'd chosen for our anniversary last year when this year's date rolled around again.
Unlike those mentioned and many others, Mume presents a fine dining experience without the pretense and show of many of the latest crop. Strange and exotic arrangements and combinations of foie gras and various sweetmeats, or foams and gels of questionable ingredients sounds good on a menu, but fails to capture our imagination at all. We'd much prefer an unusual and meticulously well prepared selection of food which also includes some vegetarian options. This way, our palate is adequately challenged yet our animal welfare philosophies are not!
We taxied down on the day (Monday 16th) for the early sitting and were struck again by the understated mood lighting and spare design and furnishing. There was an exciting bustle from the wait staff and chefs and everyone seemed genuinely energized to engineer a great experience for the customers. As expected, the options were exotic, yet approachable and we each chose a perfect fit for our four courses. The food was exquisitely presented, so much so that we were disappointed to disturb each artwork to consume it. The staff took the time to explain each course as it was offered, just enough information to enhance the experience, but not too much: all delivered in perfect English for us. It was a taste sensation enjoyed in a delightful ambiance and we were pleased to have selected this restaurant for our second anniversary dinner in a row!
We spent the weekend marveling at our new found love, our reverse cycle air-conditioner! Despite the fact that people kid themselves that Taiwan has no real winter, the people who initially perpetrated then perpetuated this myth obviously came from the icy reaches of Alaska, or other polar climes. It doesn't reach the teeth-chattering winter temperatures of eastern Europe in the winter which we've experienced a few times, but it does have a bone-seeping humidity which tends to amplify the effects of lower temperatures. Some of these days have visited us recently and we've figured out how to get the new air-conditioner to blow some heat into our lives by translating various characters on the remote along with a healthy dose of trial and error!
It's been blissful! Why on earth we waited so long to feel comfortable in our own home is anyone's guess, but our living conditions have had a lot to do with not owning the house, rather renting. As the landlord didn't stump up for the original air-conditioners, when they eventually disintegrated, we treated ourselves to some new civilized models. The "girls" have quite enjoyed the heat as well (!)
We've had the pleasure of a visiting rat to our fire escape, evidence of his visits some gnawing of the garbage bag stashed out there between visits to the garbage truck. We visited the hardware wonderland corner store for a sturdy, lockable casing to stop our enterprising visitor in his tracks. We also picked up a couple of other items while we were there. We watched some skillful Australian cricketers in the one-dayer on Sunday and saw the excellent movie "Hell or High Water" on Saturday. The cold weather also found us huddling indoors over the past few days watching our downloaded, saved gem of Rectify Season 4 on TV: wow, just wow!
Photos: Mume food art, a lovely building near our place, latest excellent pots by Wal, golden cauliflower and a rat-thwarting tub! Video up top for now, or here later, is of Cass hand feeding the girls their special treat of Anchovette....they love it!