Salsa Bistro: Exquisite Chilean Cuisine

Cuisine Greater Taipei Restaurants
1

How come I’d never heard of this place before last night? It is by far one of the finest dining experiences I’ve had in Taipei.

Located in an alley off Anhe Road in the premises previously occupied by Mykonos Taverna before it moved to the Yongkang St. area, this small, tastefully decorated, romantically lit, Chilean restaurant serves an unusual assortment of dishes that you cannot find elsewhere in town:
appetizers: sopapilla (pumpkin bread) with basil sauce, and a scrumptious chili sauce, empanaditos–savoury turnovers filled with your choice of abalone, beef, or cheese, serviche–diced raw fish marinated in lime.
main courses: I had the salmon and yellow sauce (I couldn’t stop eating the complimentary chili sauce and also doused it with this)
scallops in white sauce, they have roast lamb and chicken as well, and beef dishes, in fact the main courses are all quite unique compared to other menus I’ve seen in Taipei. And there are several options for vegetarians, as well as a few pasta dishes.
The wine list is superb, especially if you are fond of elegant Chilean varieties at reasonable prices ($800-1500 bottle)
I had no room for dessert, but I will try it next time.
Our meal of 3 appetizers, two mains, and a bottle of Merlot cost $2500.
My “next time” will be very soon as I’ve been frothing at the mouth telling everyone about this incredible place.
Oh, btw the service is bar none for a Taipei establishment, and the proprietor, Ali, an overseas Chinese from Chile, takes great measures to ensure you’re happy with your wine and meal.
While we were there, ALL of the other patrons in this small place (about 7 more tables) were western expat types who’d obviously been tipped off as to what delights were in store for them. I’d lay a bet that the small and elegant place thrives off of word of mouth and repeat business as there is no reason to have to advertize. It’s a best kept secret and I’m sharing it with the segue community.
You’re in for a treat!

A couple of links:
The Taipei Times
Taiwanfun.com


[b]Salsa Bistro’s selection of Chilean wines alone make it worth a visit.

Photo: Ian Bartholomew, Taipei Times
[/b]

[color=darkblue]Salsa Bistro
Anhe Road, Sec. 1, Lane 141, #9
Tel: (02) 2700-3060
Hours: 12 pm - 2:30 pm and 6 pm - 11 pm – Sunday to Saturday[/color]

2

How strange – I could have sworn I posted a review of this place last year, but I can’t find it in the archives. Anyway, I’d agree exactly with what Alien said, with bells on.

Also, the ceviche is outstandingly wonderful, as is the beef dish I had, which was kind of like a cottage pie, except with shredded beef rather than ground beef, and with a delicious kind of crumbly, rough cornbread-type topping instead of potato.

Actually, I’d go back just for the sopapillo, salsa and ceviche alone. Alien, do the sopapillo’s keep on coming throughout the meal? They did when I was there, and we were billed only for the first order.

The only thing that irritated me a little was that I found the owner, an overseas Chinese girl from (I think) Chile, to be a bit overweening and over-attentive. I prefer it if I can summon the waiter/owner and have the menu explained – that’s good service – but I don’t like it when he/she gets in your face and explains things even when you would very obviously prefer to be left alone to study the menu and THEN perhaps ask some questions.

However, I’m being churlish here, so nitpicking aside, thanks for the reminder, Alien. Its definitely time for a re-visit.

To everyone else, Salsa Bistro: a must-visit. Take someone you love and they’ll love you even more.

PS. The owner really knows her Chilean wine – the whole enterprise began with a wine importing business, apparently, with the restaurant envisaged as a kind of afterthought – more of a platform to support the wine-sampling, if I understood the owner correctly – and she’ll make sure you get offered the best possible wine choices to accompany the dishes you choose.

3

I went about 18 months ago when it first opened. The food was fine but i haven’t returned 'cos the owner really got on my tits.

4

[quote=“sandman”]
Alien, do the sopapillo’s keep on coming throughout the meal? They did when I was there, and we were billed only for the first order. [/quote]
Well, we only had one order of sopapillas, san. I didn’t know we could get more!!

[quote=“sandman”]
The only thing that irritated me a little was that I found the owner, an overseas Chinese girl from (I think) Chile, to be a bit overweening and over-attentive.[/quote]
Yes, I agree about the laoban. She was chirpy and annoyingly helpful, but I thought it was just me being a bitch again. At least my dining companion was amused when I cut her off a few times. Maybe she’ll read this and get the hint. If there were ANY drawbacks to the place, it would be that, but I think you only have to make it clear that you don’t need her explanation for everything and she’ll leave you alone.

Btw, I looked in archives too and couldn’t find anything on this place because I’d thought I’d missed reading about it here, so tis why I gave good thread.

5

Several people posted sort of like this: “The food was fine but i haven’t returned 'cos the owner really got on my tits.”

WHOA! I haven’t been there yet, but after the top review and sandman’s second opinion as well, was getting ready, but this owner really does seem like the bitch from hell, get outta me face! NOW I am not so sure I want to go. I HATE owners like that. I’d rather eat crumbs on the sidewalk than deal with that shite! Is she really that bad? Each time?

Forgettaboutit!

Maybe somebody should politely call her up and tell her several people on a local board mentioned that she was a tad bit overbearing at time and that maybe she should cool her heels. It would be good for her to know that. Any volunteers?

6

Well actually, the thing is, she’s very nice and very helpful. But I suppose some of us find that a bit intrusive to our dining experiences. Honestly, I thought it was just me who seemed put off. The other diners in there didn’t seem to mind her.
I think you should still go or I wouldn’t have posted in the first place. The food is fantastic!

7

Yes, i hope that my flippant, off-the-cuff remark doesn’t stop anyone from trying this restaurant. After reading Alien’s & Sandman’s excellent reviews, reminding me of how good the food was, i’ve made up my mind to give it another go. Hopefully, my humour will be a bit more accommodating this time.

However, it has to be said, one of my favourite parts of eating out is perusing the menu and discussing choices with whoever i’m with; don’t enjoy having someone reading it to me al a George W. If i fuck up the ordering choice it’s my fault and i’ll know better next time. It’s all part of the fun!

The good thing about this forum is that i’m often reminded of places that i’ve meant to go back to but just plain forgotten. Yesterday i picked up a book that has also reminded me of a few forgotten eateries, “Taipei’s Top 100 International Restaurants”. In Chinese and English, it’s pretty sad really, diabolical photos and shite reviews, but has contact info and addresses for a lot of worthwhile places.

8

I totally agree with the raves on this place. Recipes were great, ingredients were fresh, and the service was top-notch. Wine was excellent also.

About the manager–I didn’t mind at all her chatting with us for a couple of minutes. I used to be in the restaurant business back home, and it was fun comparing notes. Besides, I’m so used to Western-style restaurants in Taipei where the managers are basically well-dressed time-card punchers who are entirely clueless on the whole dining experience.

I’m hopeful about her attitude for one reason: it’s a lot easier for a manager to learn how to tone down the attention than it is to learn how to increase it.

9

Absolutely, and I’d also like to point out that I did admit in my post to nitpicking and being churlish. She’s really not that bad and certainly light years away from being a “bitch from hell!”

And mama, that ceviche!

10

I eat out very frequently and I have to say that Salsa Bistro is great. I am just laughing to read so many comments about the owner being too attentive. As if this is going to be a turn off in service-unfriendly Taipei. Also, once you order, you are finished right? So what? She is making suggestions for five maybe ten minutes at the most and this is a major problem? Sounds like reflexive bitching to me. Besides, I cannot imagine that one adult cannot say to another: “Actually, if you don’t mind, we’d like to have a few minutes to look at the menu ourself.” Given the abysmal service that you get at most restaurants in Taipei, I’ll take my chances with “chirpy” any day.

Not a “grouchy” diner

11

Different strokes, Fred. It is a turn-off for me, but as I said more than once, its not that bad and certainly won’t stop me from going back.

12

Different strokes, Fred. It is a turn-off for me, but as I said more than once, its not that bad and certainly won’t stop me from going back.[/quote]
She’s not exactly disastrously unattractive either.

13

How often do you guys and gals eat out at restaurants like SB? I tried it out and was amazed that people would pay those prices for FOOD! I’m more into quickly grabbing a lunch box or some beef noodles, and if I really liked somebody I might treat them to a meal there…like, once or twice a year.
And then I would probably be all depressed, not enjoying my meal, because I’d be thinking…damn, I could have bought a couple of dvd’s with this. (especially since after my meal there I went out and bought some garlic sausages at a stall as I was still unbelievably hungry). Guess I’m just completely uncultured!

14

Oh come on, Alien… Only ONE bottle of red? I’m inclined to think that your whole culinary experience would have been tainted somewhat by the lack of inebriation… :wink:

15

BB, I returned again last weekend with two of YOUR colleagues (etc) and there was way more than one bottle that touched our table!!
The owner was very accomodating, and I take back what I said about her being “chirpy”. She seemed more “tentative” this time, probably hoping no one would break those nice big wine glasses :wink:

16

As Siskel and Ebert might say, a two thumbs up for this place!!!

Had our annual chinese new year party there yesterday and everyone absolutely loved the food! The wine wasn’t bad either and it flowed pretty freely, I might add. Thnks alien and all others for recommending this place. I had the corn vegetable pastry/pie in addition to a whole bunch of appetisers and its pretty good for anyone who likes corn. And they had REAL cheese rather than the processed kind we normally see everywhere in taipei! I should add that the owner, over attentive though she might be, was at great pains to accomodate a lot of picky eaters. And she offered to make custom made vegetarian dishes, so that was great. ITs not the best place to have a big party and she does have some nasty neighbors who are trying to ruin her business…but otherwise a fabulous eating experience!!!

17

Rather an over-attentive waitress than some of the phantoms I’ve had to scare out on occasion.

18

Made my first visit a few nights ago. I don’t know if any of the three staff that spoke to me was the owner, but all of them were pleasant and not overbearing in the slightest.

I had the ceviche - very nice. I also had a salad and a pasta dish, both totally bland. Judging from what people are saying here, I’ll probably give it another go and order something else.

19

Worth another go, minniemise… Starters - pumpkin fritter things with two sauces. Main? Steak always good. If you don’t go for steak, then the scallops are great. Salad? Try the tomato salad. Wine? Its all very nice…

20

Thanks fankie, the scollops it will be. And I had the tomato salad. It was crap.