There's something refreshing about venturing south to Taichung for a reasonably priced western meal and a few drinks. Providing good food at reasonable prices in pleasant and relaxing environments with pleasant waiting staff, "is like Thailand," as one foreign Taipei resident described it.
La Bodega, thanks to the culinary skills of its European chef, the ever-friendly waiting staff and its laid back atmosphere is a Spanish/ Mediterranean restaurant worthy of a visit should you find yourself in Taichung.
PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES
Located in a small lane close to busy Taichung Harbor Road, the cozy little joint was opened exactly a year ago next Friday. Part bar, part restaurant, it offers diners and drinkers alike a quiet place to hang out, chow down on great grub, knock back a glass of beer or Sangria, or two, and chat.
Along with an extensive drinks list, which includes cans of the popular British ales Abbott and Old Speckled Hen (NT$180) and assorted Spanish and European wines, the menu is packed with a superb choice of reasonably priced and satisfying Spanish/Mediterranean dishes.
Chock-a-block with every conceivable form of European Mediterranean fare imaginable -- from pasta to paella -- and with the addition of some Middle Eastern oriented cuisine such as falafel and couscous, choosing what to dine on can be a lengthy process at La Bodega.
Several dishes that come recommended, however, are the couscous royal, which sees a combination of marinated meats and fresh vegetables served atop a large bed of the small grained semolina-based rice substitute, accompanied with a spicy meat and tomato sauce and the popular falafel in pitta bread (NT$200).
While the dishes served at La Bodega cover a wide range of South European bases, the restaurant also cooks up a good selection of Spanish tapas. Costing an average of NT$100 per plate, La Bodega serves tapas all day long and some of its more popular plates include spicy lamb sausage, salty cured ham and Spanish style potatoes.
Whatever diners opt for they will be hard-pressed to spend more than NT$550 on a meal and beverage at La Bodega. From between NT$180 for a plate of creamy mushroom pasta to NT$370 for a hefty and highly recommended kebab, that includes beef, lamb, chicken and comes served with fries, diners will walk away satisfied and itching to return in order to try more of the joint's great food.
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