Situated in the mountainside, a 10-minute drive from Taipei 101, Jodie' s Kitchen is a dinning experience much like going to a friend' s home for dinner. Having worked at various restaurants in the city and attended culinary classes aboard, Jodie Tsao (曹雅慧) has spent most of her life doing what she likes most -- cooking for friends. Less than a year ago she opened her own catering business and small restaurant.
This homestyle restaurant is the sort of place where you would want to relax with a date or group of friends. One of the best parts of the meal is enjoying it outside on the balcony, with a view of the mountain scenery. All sauces and pastas are made daily using fresh ingredients, which explains why seating is limited and all bookings require at least a day's notice. On Jodie's Web site, http://kitchen.j321.com, patrons can choose from a variety of soups, salads and main courses to design their own set meal or just make a few requests and let Tsao prepare the rest of the spread. Menu items listed included a variety of chicken and seafood dishes and a selection of Italian pastas.
Our meal was a fusion of Italian and Asian fare that started off with a kiwi and dragon fruit salad marinated in honey and lime. Next we were served a warm vegetable salad made with eggplant, carrots, green beans and baked potatoes and seasoned with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing.
PHOTO : DIANA FREUNDL, TAIPEI TIMES
Served with warm homemade bread, the salad was large enough to be a main course, but was followed by a portion of pumpkin gnocchi in pesto and strong, savory tomato sauce. Dessert was a Thai sweet made of sticky rice, mango and condensed milk along with a pot of lemon grass tea. The drink list is minimal, but you can bring your own wine and there is no corkage charge.
In addition to cooking for private functions, take-out orders and restaurant dining, Tsao offers beginner and advanced cooking classes in European, Chinese, Taiwanese and Thai cuisine. Group and individual classes are offered in both Chinese and English throughout the week and on weekends.
Jodie' s Kitchen is located in Yicui Villa (挹翠山莊), near to Wuxing Elementary School. The easiest and quickest way to get there is by taxi, or for public transportation take minibus No. 5 from Taipei City Hall MRT station, which takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes. For more information on the cooking classes, catering services or to make a reservation call the phone number above or check out the Web site.
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