Zhongzheng District, Taipei City｜Astoria Cafe & Bakery

I wasn't planning on going here, but the other coffee shops nearby were busy. I initially looked at this place as a cafe, but really it is more like fine-dining (western food), and of course the prices appeared a bit much for a mere cafe. However, as a limited-service fine dining restaurant (it does not have an extensive menu - some entrées as part of a set meal), it was excellent. The food was impressively prepared and generally tasted great. Definitely worth every dollar spent, and I would go back. BUT it definitely isn't a café (ie. not a coffee shop). Also, the service could be better. The restaurant was very busy and clearly understaffed. The waiters behaved with intense energy, and it was not so pleasant. As for ambiance, the restaurant is in an older part of Taipei, and has some interesting history. However, it has clearly been renovated, and has lost some of that historical feel. Also, because they are understaffed, they try to cram everyone on the 2nd floor (first floor is the bakery), even though there is a third floor open. Also, the bathrooms, though nicely renovated, need a bit more attention.

I loved the restaurant. Its culture, history are amazing. I loved the decode, music and overall vibe. The food was really good. The signature beef borscht was delicious! So flavorful!

I am very happy to come to the celebrity lunch today, October 15th. Especially Ben Xu's hospitality is thoughtful and always pays attention to the customers' needs. The service attitude is very good! Thank you Ben for making our lunch even more delicious. Will come back again!