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Bisous No.5
Low-key luxury and tasty cocktails
Written and translated by Diva
5, Lane 21, AnHe Rd, Sec 1
(02) 8773-3532
Hours: Mon-Sat 8 pm-3 am (weekends until 6 am), closed on Sun
Thanks to its exterior, a lot of people may mistake Bisous No. 5 for a ritzy lounge bar that peddles over-priced drinks and a snobby attitude. After browsing through the menu and taking a look around, however, you'll discover that the atmosphere is friendly and the drinks are more than affordable. Kai, the lounge's manager, has been in the night club business for 13 years. When creating Bisous No. 5, Kai's vision was of a high-class venue that wouldn't break the bank.
Kai's plan was such a success that, without any advertising, Bisous No. 5 will soon celebrate its second anniversary. By word of mouth alone, the lounge has built a steady clientele that is mostly made up of 20 to 40-somethings and singles. One of the most popular cocktails here is the ever-classic (and sometimes dangerous!) Long Island Iced Tea (NT$350). Kai guarantees that you'll be in Lala Land by the second one--if not, he'll gladly give you 10% off. Another good cocktail here is their House Special (NT$250), which Kai created himself. This award-winning cocktail is made with peaches, vodka and Italian red wine. Personally, I recommend having a whiskey Bisous No. 5 style--that is, mixing it half-and-half with their honey green tea. This unlikely combination is actually quite tasty.
If you get a bit hungry as the night wears on, try their dish Beef Filet in Red Wine (NT$400). The extra-tender meat is served in strips, so it's easy to share with friends. Another highly recommended dish is Pepper Flavored Stinky Tofu (NT$250). The tofu is fried and then stir-fried, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Besides drinks and food, Bisous No. 5 also hosts live dance shows at midnight on the weekends. You can enjoy the show from the bar. There are also six booths and four tables, but all of them require advanced reservations (minimum charge NT$3,000-5,000). The booths are very specious and perfect for large groups and birthday parties.
Parking is scarce around AnHo Road, so leave your car at home. The staff members will call a cab for you when you're ready to go home.
 
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March 2008
