Amid the ever-changing landscape of Taipei’s East District (東區), The Bear’s Timberland (小熊森林) seems to have existed since time immemorial.
Young shoppers flock to the trendy shops and boutiques lining the bustling alleys off the section of Zhongxiao East Road (忠孝東路) between Fuxing South Road to the west and Guangfu South Road (光復南路) to the east, but rarely do they take notice of this little teahouse, which hides behind a small oasis of green foliage and a handmade sign that reads “herbal teas, milk, goods and bear.”
On a recent drizzly Monday afternoon visit, I opened the door and was immediately transported back 15 years, to when I first visited the place.
Photo: Ho Yi, Taipei Times
Inside, the only sound is piped new age music played at a barely discernible volume, which strangely amplified the sense of quietude. While I was the only customer, I wasn’t alone. The quaintly designed room is stuffed with non-human inhabitants — dolls and stuffed toy animals, mostly bears.
A life-size brown bear greets guests at the entrance, while bear and bunny toys, jars, tea cups and other knickknacks fill the wooden cabinets.
A young waiter seated me at a table and informed me of the availability of free Wi-Fi, possibly one of the few modern additions to the place, where time seems to stand still.
Consisting of 13 herbal and floral teas from Provence, France, the bill of fare is simple. On top of the one-page menu, a line reads “Spring version, 1996.” I was later told that the menu has not changed for the past 16 years. The teahouse celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.
Nostalgia aside, I turned my attention to the selection of herbal teas that are advertised as possessing healing properties. Said to aid digestion, Painting Gold (描金) is a lightly balmy concoction of verbena and linden flowers that derives its name from its golden color. Other choices include Rose Garden (玫瑰花園), a brew made from rose petals and rosemary, and Madam Wang’s Tea Party (王夫人的茶宴), whose formula was devised by the tearoom’s owner.
Besides tea, there’s warm milk flavored with rose, lavender or chamomile, as well as handmade cookies and cakes (NT$80). All drinks served at the teahouse cost NT$220.
Though the cookies I tried were good, and tea is fine, visiting the teahouse is less about what’s found on the menu than the overall ambience. Walking into The Bear’s Timberland feels like entering a unique cosmos whose creator simply does not care much about what is fashionable, but does insist on dishing out some love and warmth.
The Bear’s Timberland opens daily from 11am to 8pm. Avoid weekends and holidays if you wish to have the place entirely to yourself.
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