El Patio de Mi Casa (辛亥) closed last month after just one year in business, but fans of the restaurant’s Spanish home cooking need not despair. Co-owners Luis Miguel Hernando and Ramses del Cura Nogal plan to set up at a new location and under a new name before the Lunar New Year.
The Spanish expats say they decided to part ways with the two other co-owners in the venture because they weren’t satisfied with the restaurant’s direction.
Still, it’s too bad to see El Patio’s cozy shop on Songjiang Road (松江路) close. With dishes like the simple but delicious revuelto (Spanish-style fried eggs) and the unbelievably tender sepia de la plancha (pan-seared calamari), El Patio was looking like a contender for the upcoming Taipei Times’ list of best restaurants of 2010 (look out for the Dec. 30 edition).
Loyal patrons can keep up to date with the latest news through the pair’s Facebook page: Search for them under their e-mail address, taipei.elpatio@gmail.com.
Also closing is Fuhui Hsinhsiang Teahouse (福慧心香賞茶館), which is scheduled to cease business on Dec. 25. Many patrons go to Fuhui Hsinhsiang Teahouse to sip fine oolong teas, chat for hours and enjoy the Buddhist antiques that adorn its turn-of-the-20th-century looking parlor, but those who know about the kitchen’s Hakka-influenced vegetarian cooking arrive during mealtimes.
Fuhui’s braised sauce noodle soup (紅燒麵, NT$250) is as satisfying as the heartiest beef broth; the mushroom noodle soup (香菇麵, NT$350) is creamy and rich. For those who prefer rice, the owner recommends the cauliflower and tomato stir-fry (白花菜番茄, NT$350) or the grilled okra (NT$300). Most ingredients are organic. If you think vegetarian buffets are all bland, this is a place to try.
Fuhui Hsinhsiang (tel: (02) 2778-5628) is located at 276 Guangfu S Rd, Taipei City (台北市光復南路276號) and is open from noon to 11:30pm every day except Tuesday.
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