A decade ago, food writer Yeh Yi-lan (葉怡蘭) set up a Web site to share her fondness for good dining and drinking with fellow foodies. In 2003, Yeh opened the online store Pekoe (www.yilan.com.tw/html/modules/mymall), which sells gourmet ingredients and premium kitchenware. Her customer base expanded and demand for a brick-and-mortar location increased, so Pekoe opened a store in the East District (東區) last year. The location includes a cozy dining space for patrons to sample products sold at the shop.
Pekoe ensures a slick grocery-shopping experience, provided that you are willing to fork out over NT$400 for a small pot of Japanese green tea, more than NT$200 for a bottle of mineral water, or NT$9,680 for cookware.
Products made in Taiwan are more wallet-friendly and include juices, rice, noodles and tea.
Among the most popular items on offer are jams and jellies by French patissier Christine Ferber, olive oil by Italy’s Felsina, honey from Alsace, and premium chocolate by Italy’s Amedei, Zotter of Austrian and French chocolatier Michel Cluizel.
Pekoe’s dining area can comfortably accommodate a dozen seated customers. The decor by renowned interior designer Lu Shi-chieh (陸希傑) is warm and chic.
Pekoe is located at 7, Ln 295, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段295巷7號). Tel: (02) 2700-2602. The store is open daily from 11am to 8pm.
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