HOME CENTRAL TAIWAN TEA & COFFEE

COMPASS MAGAZINE August 2011
　 　

Oriel Cafe By Natasha Lee Translated by Betsy Shepard 176, DaDun 19th St, Xitun District Take a walk along DaDun 19th Street and you will probably notice that this quiet street has become home to a cluster of galleries and cafes, making it an aesthetically-pleasing place to come and relax. The first visual impression people have of Oriel Cafe--one of these establishments--is its hanging sign emblazoned with a large "illy" logo, a reference to the Italian coffee brand much loved by afiocionados around the world. To conjure up the essence of this brand, the cafe's interior design revolves around the colors of red, white and black. This, combined with a relaxing ambiance, helps patrons enjoy a close dialogue with their coffees at Oriel. Many first-time customers entering Oriel Cafe are alternately impressed by the decorations on the wall by the door, the decorative bicycle, or a noteworthy wall of vinyl records. Consequently, a good number of people seem to spend as much taking pictures around this place as they do drinking their coffees, as they seek refuge from the harried world outside the cafe. Caramel Macchiato (NT$130) is Oriel's most popular drink, according to the owner, and will satisfy most coffee lovers. A finishing touch of choice caramel leaves drinkers' palates with a pleasant, slight caramel aftertaste. Another feature is the froth, which stays creamy and firm throughout drinking, which is pretty uncommon for a frothy coffee. During the warmer months, the cafe's ice coffees are also hard to resist. Besides drinks, Oriel Cafe offers some stand-out food options. Tomato Sauce and Wine Beef with Rice (NT$180) and the attractive Fruit Waffle are must-haves among regular customers, and have been recommended by several famous bloggers. Oriel also serves thin-crust Italian pizza (NT$230/10-inch) with abundant toppings, adding to the cafe's rich Italian atmosphere. The cafe's tea selections come from Europe's Royal Copenhagen and Wedgwood tea brands, and can be enjoyed with a dessert of some popular French macaroons. Whatever one chooses to drink or eat here, Oriel Cafe helps each customer savor their own unique variation of its many options.