There seems to be a new Japanese barbecue eatery popping up in Taipei every month. Alley on Bade Road is a relatively new addition to the gastronomic map of a city that loves its late-night grilled snacks and ice-cold beer.
At first glance, the smart-looking restaurant could be mistaken for a pub with its Shanghai-chic vibe. Its bold red and turquoise palette is balanced with sedate brown hues and black. The plush appearance aside, the dining atmosphere is designed for hospitality. Wait staff chat like friends with patrons who sit along the bar and serve food on fine ceramic ware, which comes from Yingge (鶯歌), Taipei County.
Though Alley is a grill-it-yourself restaurant, the attentive, well-trained waiters are keen to share their barbecuing tips. Salted cow tongue with scallion (鹽蔥牛舌, NT$220) is a recommended starter. The tongue is cut into thin slices and simply flavored with salt, pepper, chopped scallion and lemon juice.
On the lighter side, the Matsusake pork (椒鹽霜降松阪豬, NT$200) has a crispy texture. Salted and peppered king oyster mushrooms (椒鹽杏鮑菇, NT$90), which are thinly sliced, ooze savory juice.
Fresh from Keelung, the prime-quality thick cut salmon (厚切鮭魚, NT$180) can be enjoyed raw.
Diners who fancy a richer tasting option after a glass or several of Orion beer, shochu, sake or liqueur, could do no worse than the barbecued fatty beef (烤肉醬牛五花, NT$240) or prime fatty beef (達拉斯, NT$350).
The restaurant also has several specialties not found on the menu. Eaten raw with barbecue sauce and mustard, the scallop with crab roe (干貝蟹膏, NT$180) is divinely sweet and has no hint of the fishy smell of less than fresh seafood. Curry-flavored chicken ankles (咖哩雞腳踝, NT$180) are a grilled rarity whose textures are notable for their gelatinous skin and crunchy cartilage.
There are also a few choices available for dessert such as butter and cheese sweet potato (奶油起士地瓜, NT$100) and baked banana (烤香蕉, NT$60) with chocolate sauce.
The attentive service at Alley goes beyond the dining area and extends to the warmly lit restroom that offers feminine hygiene products. Lockers and a wardrobe are camouflaged as wooden walls for diners’ outerwear and handbags. The restaurant is also cyclist-friendly with bike racks and locks for customers who arrive on two wheels.
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