Maple's is a non-descript restaurant located a one-minute jaunt south of Da-an Forest Park (大安森林公園). Owner-manager Tristan Newman hails from Vancouver and has four years experience of working at upscale restaurants in Canada's most multicultural city under his belt. He took over from Sub Zone, the first - but definitely not the last - Subway franchise in Taipei to break away from the US corporation and continue operations under a different name.
The interior, sad to say, remains much the same as it was in its previous incarnation and resembles that of the Subway located almost directly across the street. The atmosphere does the surprisingly delicious pasta menu little justice. A few candles on the tables and maybe some checked tablecloths would elevate it to the level of a cozy Italian-style restaurant.
Otherwise, the pasta prices are cheap, the sauces homemade and the ingredients fresh. The spaghetti with tomato sauce (NT$69, but on sale for NT$49 until the end of the month) is simple and filling. For an additional NT$49 you get a soup or salad and drink. For those partial to seafood, the West Coast salmon penne (NT$140) is Canadian smoked salmon reduced with butter and garlic, tossed in a rich Alfredo sauce, then topped with parmesan. Moving closer to the sea floor, the spaghetti with creamy garlic mussels (NT$160) packs a nice combination of white wine and garlic flavors.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MAPLE'S
Newman said his Michelangelo macaroni (NT$150) and Pacific pesto basil (NT$135, add NT$30 for chicken) with handmade fettuccine are favorites with repeat customers. With the former - a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed chicken and green peas - I can see why. Though the peas seem a strange addition, the chicken and tomatoes mixed in the Alfredo sauce receive top marks. And pesto, a mixture of pine nuts, olive oil and basil, is always a welcome addition.
Other pastas include a simple fettuccine Alfredo (NT$125), Italian spaghetti with homemade meatballs (NT$140) and creamy penne with rose sauce (NT$120), which is a combination of pureed garlic, chopped basil, ripe tomatoes and Alfredo sauce.
The sandwich menu is similar to Subway's, but with a few creative additions. The Mexican (NT$95 for a 6-inch sub, NT$155 for a 12-inch sandwich) is filled with spicy marinated chicken and topped with a dollop of sour cream, nacho chips and sauce. The chicken Cordon Bleu (NT$110/NT$180) offers a tasty combination of oven-baked ham and marinated chicken with slices of Swiss cheese.
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