It’s time for my semi-annual lament that Liquid Bread Company is gone forever.
….. 
……
Okay, carry on.
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Can I add my lament that because of labour shortages Robuchon completely cut its sandwich offerings? 
Guy
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I swear I walked by IL Panino last month and it was still operating. Google maps says it’s open.
I’ve been to Munchies Mafia a few times now. It’s a solid sandwich, but in no way replaces Liquid Bread. It’s a huge improvement on El Panino
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I was in Taipei City’s East District around lunch time today, and for the first time I sampled the offerings at Muchies Mafia’s compact storefront.
The first thing to note is that there is very limited seating indoors, with most of the seating out on the sidewalk facing Civic Boulevard. On a nice day this is pleasant but I imagine that amidst pounding rain this would be less fun.
The sandwich I had—with a nice balance of pepper ham and an array of roasted vegetables with plenty of olive oil served on a foccacia—was excellent. These guys clearly know what they are doing with tastes and mouthfeel. I had an iced Americano (reasonably priced at NT$90) to wash it back—this drink was also better than expected, neither bitter nor sour and quite refreshing.
As I enjoyed my sandwich and drink, I also noted the parade of East District folks wearing (variously) Lululemon style tights or fashionable baggy sweatpants stopping by for lunch. Meanwhile, the sound system pounded out a steady stream of profanities and vulgarities in English. I suppose this sort of soundtrack stands in for being cool nowadays.
So: not exactly my usual crowd or my preferred music, but I’d still come back to this shop to try another sandwich or three. In my view, this was better than Liquid Bread, but it does not replace my much-missed sandwiches from Robuchon!
Guy
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The Basque cheesecake is the best I’ve had. Don’t try to eat a whole one yourself though 
And I prefer their sourdough to their foccacia.
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Very helpful tips—thank you!
Given how much I enjoyed that Americano, I can envision a basque-cheesecake-and-coffee outing in the near future. 
Guy
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After getting some things off my desk, I made my way up to Munchies Mafia for a second visit, this time to try their highly touted basque cheesecake sold alongside their various sandwiches. I paired it with a hot Americano, which was prepared in front of me by an apparent newbie and came out thin and watery compared to the memorable brew I enjoyed during my first visit. Not so much hot water, mate!
The baseque cheesecake was . . . creamy. Even with a black coffee, it was a bit much for me, and that’s saying something. When @Bree warned about eating a whole one alone, I understood this to mean “Don’t eat the whole round cake.” Well I’d say the say principle could apply to a single piece which—while not especially large—could still be shared.
I’m now nursing a cup of hot tea in my office trying to wash back the remains of all that cream. 
Guy
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Why you tagging me? That’s not even my brand. 
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I meant the slice!
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Based on what I experienced, I concur!
Guy
